CountryGirlNY

I was banded on the 22nd. I was also in quite a bit more pain than I had expected to be in. I'll tell you this though, today is day 3 and I feel 200% better! Hang in there - the gas will get out - the pain will lessen, and according to everyone here, we will LOVE our bands. Do take the advice given above though and stay on top of your pain meds. I did and it does help. Check back and let us know how you're doin...

I'm having surgery tomorrow too! I'm only doing today on Clear Liquids only. Christ I'm HUNGRY too! But it's only for one day.... I'm NOT CHEATING! I'm dying to, but I'm afraid to so I'm going to stick it out an have some broth. Good luck to all of us that are getting banded tomorrow - and as someone else said - Happy RE-birthday. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives!

Im jealous... I'm a 42B :-( Pretty cruel eh that at 240lbs I only have Bcup boobs... After I reach goal, I'm gonna go out and get me some nice Ccups!

Thanks Girl! Let's check back as soon as we can to see how each other's doing. Are you staying in the hosp or is it out-patient for you? My ins. company approved me for a 2 night stay, but all he people in the surgeon's office - including the surgeon himself - say that I'll be just fine and want to come home. I hope they are right! Good luck - God Bless.... Linda

Mr dr. requires a 2 day liquid diet. Starting tomorrow - Banding on Thursday! I've been reading these boards for a few months now and there are a lot of different requirements. Every dr. seems to have their own. Do as your dr. says - that's always the best route to take. Best of luck to you!

I really feel for all of you who have to do these 2 week liquid pre-op diets! That just seems soooo severe - especially considering that there is usually a 2 week period after banding that you have to be on liquids. All of you should be commended for making such a solid commitment! My dr. office calls for 2 days - 1 day Full Liquid - meaning milk based liquids - shakes, blended yogurt, farina, etc. and 1 day Clear Liquids. No shakes, just broth, tea, Water, Jello, etc. I have been using Isopure powder for about 3 months now. I've been replacing 1 meal a day with it on the recommendation of the nutritionist. The actual serving size is 2 scoops, but I only use one right now. For 2 scoops its 210 calories, 1g fat, 50g Protein. so I guess I'm only getting 25g of protein right now on the one scoop, but Im mixing it with 1% milk so that gives me a little more. Point being - the Dutch chocolate is good, the strawberry is ok, and the Cookies and Cream is GREAT! I just mix it with a hand blender and pour it over ice... Im getting banded on thursday so Im happy to have all these flavors that I really like. Best of luck to you - I hope you can settle on something soon so you can just relax and try to think of the better days ahead.

My psych dr. also tried to talk me into By-pass. I was wondering if he got a cut of the $$ for every by-pass my surgeon does. The Psych I went to is like a partner of the surgeon's office. Once I explained to him my reasons for wanting to go with the band and not the by-pass however, his attitude changed a bit and he agreed that the band was the best choice for me. I think it's just a tactic to see if you've done any type of research and some soul searching as well to make sure you are secure in your decision. The the next big decision I had to make was do I want the Realize Band or the LapBand. Im opting for the Lapband for a few reasons. 1) I've held them both in my hands and I felt that the Lapband was a little sturdier - I liked the look of the inside where the saline goes. It just seemed thicker and more secure. 2) The port seemed just a little smaller 3) My dr. has been doing this procedure using the Lapband for much longer than he's been using the Realize band. Bottom line is - you have to do what you feel is best for you. Don't let anyone talk you into something you're not comfortable doing. Best of luck to you - I hope you get your band and LOVE it!

Tablespoons of food is filling... I can't wait for that! Jan. 22nd - right around the corner... It's so nice to come here and hear all your great - early banded - stories. Best to all -

Hey Y'all.... I went to my 2 hour class today to get all the details on the surgery and the before and after diets and whatnot. Here's how my doc's office outlines it: Replace one meal with a Protein shake and have two LITE meals. Consume your required 64oz of Water per day. Increase protein in diet and decrease carbohydrate intake. Choose lean protein sources and lots of vegetables. The purpose of this pre-operative diet is to decrease the size of your liver, which can be markedly enlarged due to excess fat accumulation. Sounds perfectly easy right - except that I'm so bad with portions and stuff - what exactly is a LITE meal? I kinda wish they had laid out something a little more comprehensive. Im also scared considering that they lay that whole "dont gain even one pound or we wont do your surgery"... I think I should just do a liquid diet and forget all the guess work... If I had the ability to make sensible food choices, I wouldn't be here in the first place... My surgery is on the 22nd, so on the 19th I have to start the "full liquid" diet then the 21st is the "clear liquids" for one day. All in all it doesnt seem too hard, but I'm just afraid to gain a pound!

Damn girl - I know you're disappointed, but hang in there. It will be worth it in the long run. I had my 2hour class today and start my pre-op diet tomorrow. Nothing too restrictive. High Protein, small portions, NO CARBS - very low fat. I have the option of replacing either 1 or 2 meals a day with a shake, and I'm leaning towards 2 because I'm afraid to gain any weight before surgery. My dr. office seems pretty serious about cutting you off if you do, so I'm totally paranoid now! Keep checkin on us - and keep letting us know how you're doing on your supervised plan. Best to you- Linda

Hi RM - Somehow when I was writing the original post I was thinking "I hope RestlessMonkey reads this and gives me some insight". I read all of your posts - you have some of the best advice around here. Great tip with the fish fillets - I will definitely get some of those. I always have your story in the back of my mind of what happened to you on your first surgery day. It scares me half to death that it happens - and can happen to me if I'm not careful. Thanks - I'll keep you posted.

I couldn't help but add to this post. I am on day 7 of quitting... It's no easy task, but I am also determined to make this change in my life. I am using Welbutrin and Nicorette gum. I think the gum was the best choice for me because now my mouth always feels clean (yes, they have come a LONG way in the flavor and texture of Nicorette) and it keeps me from wanting to eat for compensation. I'm getting banded in 2 weeks!

Kossde - I cannot thank you enough for this post. I've also told everyone and anyone that will listen to me long enough to say it. I'm sooo taking your quote everywhere with me. I don't want to die trying either. Good luck to all -

Hi Kimmy - Wow - 3 days till surgery! Are you on your pre-op liquid diet now? I just told my DH that he may want to retreat to his parents for that! LOL I'm scheduled for Jan. 22nd. Best of luck to you - please come back and let us know how you are doing.

I am - but you already knew that! :-)

Im getting banded January 22nd in Valhalla, NY by Dr. Kaul - Lookin fine in 09!

I'm using Isopure right now. That's what they sell at my dr.'s office. I have not tried anything else so I have nothing to compare it to. I finished up the container of Chocolate (it was pretty good) and now I'm drinking Strawberry (it's pretty good too). 22 Days!:confused:

Hi daqui - We're getting banded the same day. I go to my pre-op class on the 8th and am really anxious to get more details about pre-op diet and stuff. My diet now is a shake for one meal (usually have it for breakfast) and sensible lunch and dinner. It's more about HOW I eat right now - protein first, then veggies, then carbs and not drinking while I eat. For the first time in my life, I'm actually looking forward to Summer..... Keep in touch - Linda

And if you're a smoker, they are probably going to check for nicotine - if your dr. is a stickler like mine about quitting. I got my date pushed because I didnt quit when I said I was going to. I'm scheduled for Jan. 22nd now and havent had a cigarette since Dec. 5th appointment when they told me they were changing my surgery date. It was originally Jan 5th. Best of luck to you!