Padanelle

I was told not to take any pills larger than an Advil. Otherwise, pills should be cut or crushed. Capsule contents should never be emptied and taken. They are put in the capsule because they can be very harsh on your stomach. If cutting or crushing does not work for you, contact your PCP to see if you can get a liquid version of your medication.

My nutritionists instructions didn't specify. Their suggestions (Viactiv and Twin Labs calcium citrate wafers) included both. Depending on my mood, I switch off between Caltrate D Plus chewables (the bottle contains 3 flavors - cherry, orange & fruit punch) and either Viactiv or GNC soft chewables, which both come in chocolate and caramel. The nutritionist said it was important not to take the Calcium supplements together, as the body cannot absorb more than 500mg calcium at once, so a higher dose at once would be wasted.

One of my favorite mushies is low-fat ricotta with Tomato sauce & parmesan. I also love instant mashed potatoes, and add Unjury chicken Protein pwder to it to up the protein count.

I had my surgery postponed twice. Both times it was 2 weeks prior, just as I was about to begin the pre-op diet. The first time I was a bit relieved, as I was still trying to eat all of the foods I though I might not be able to eat after being banded. LOL. The second time, I was really bumed out, as I had arranged for a friend to stay with me and would have had the extra time from the Memorial weekend to recuperate. I went down to the wire on my 3rd date, waiting for insurance approval and test results. I finally got banded on Jun 8. The pre-op frustrations are just a faded memory now, as I focus on my new life. Hang in there.. you'll be banded before you know it. The waiting is always the hardest part.

Everyone's experience is different. Although I was definately bloated for over a week after surgery, since I have gallstones, this is nothing new to me. I definately had a bit of discomfort after surgery - and it was quite painful getting in/out of bed. I didn't have any reaction to any of the pain meds. The surgeon's instructions kept stressing to take the pain medicine (i was given hydrocodone) before the pain gets bad, which I did for 4 days. Mainly slept and got up to walk or eat - or rather, i should say drink. I'm a bit over 1 month post op, and fortunately have not vomited yet. I know I need to be prepared for that, but so far, so good....

I chose the band over bypass because it is less invasive, and statistically, a lot safer. My surgeon does all of the various types of WLS, however he is very pro the band. I understand the band might not be apropriate for everyone. This is something you will need to discuss with your surgeon.

With bypass, most people normally loose a lot faster during the first year or two, but it tends to even out after 2 or 3 years. I understand long range, bandsters tend to keep the weight off (if they follow the guidelines), due to the fact of the adjustments. Bypass patients can stretch their stomachs and gain the weight back.

Good luck in making the decision that's right for you.

I have United Healthcare/Oxford. They covered everything except the copay.

Good luck.

Jacqui,

That was really helpful info. I'm only a month post surgery, and its nice, and comforting, to hear your experience.

Joan

I'd been reading up on WLS for over 5 years before I decided to take the plunge. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you attend a seminar. You can find a schedule on lapband.com

The band does not work for everyone, but it usually works for the vast majority who follow the guidelines. Everyone looses at a different pace, but the norm tends to be 1 - 2 lbs per week. Many people drop 10 - 20 lbs during the first several weeks due to the high Protein liquid diet that is usually required pre & post op.

I recommend keeping a food journal, and write everything down. You may be surprised how much/little you are consuming.

This forum has lots of informative posts where you can get a good idea of others successes & struggles. It ain't easy, but its worth it.

Good luck.

I used to live on ramen noodles. Read the label. The seasoning is very high in sodium and other things not so good for you. I highly recommend unjury chicken broth flavored Protein powder - 21g or Protein. It calls for 1 scoop in 8 oz of Water, but I usually double the Water. I also add it to mashed potatoes to add more protein.

Isopure protein waters have 40g of protein in a 20oz bottle. They come in several flavors. I get them at GNC, which has a lot of other Protein drinks.

Hi Michelle,

I find a warm cup of tea or chicken broth is very soothing. I understand that warm liquids help open the stoma, and the nutritionist recommended having a warm liquid in the morning before anything else, as that's when the opening is tightest. Don't forget, you just had surgery, so you need to heal. It gets better every day.

That is completely unacceptable. Not only did they put you through stress/pain/discomfort, but then you had to leave without a fill??? I cannot imagine that. When I go in for my fills, it is a piece of cake--thank God the nurse practitioner really knows what he is doing. Maybe you can get follow-up care elsewhere?

I was also banded by Dr Fielding. I had my first fill on Wed with Gaspar. I heard great things about him, but he really was wonderful. I hadn't a clue where the port was, as Fielding only made one incision, but Gaspar found it right away.

I'm so sorry to hear the horrible experiences some of you are having.

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Hi All!

I was also banded on Jun 8th. I just had my first fill on Wed. I barely felt the needle and it only took a couple of seconds. I haven't been hungry since the surgery, so I wasn't sure if I should postpone the fill, but went anyway. They put in 4cc. I was on liquids for 2 days, and now have 2 days of mushies. I'm feeling like I did right after surgery (minus any discomfort - I have absolutly no desire to eat or drink anything. Tonight I had half-cup of ricotta with some sauce on it, and I could barely finish it. I stoped loosing weight when I started solids, but managed to drop 2.5 lbs on liquids after the fill. I am afraid when I go back to solids that I might not continue to loose. Since I started the pre-op diet on May 25, I have lost 28 lbs. I'm pleased with that, and hope I can continue to loose each week.

Good luck to all of you!

Joan

I was banded with no fill. I think that is more the norm, than the exception. Yesterday I had my first fill. I was going to postpone it, as I really haven't been hungry, but decided to go ahead with it. The NP put in 4cc. Since then, I feel the same as I did after surgery, with any discomfort. I have no desire to eat or even drink anything.

I has no idea where my port was - probably too much belly fat. LOL. I had single incision surgery, so there is no separate port incision. The NP knew exactly where to find it & then had me to a crunch, so it would pop up more for me to feel it. Its a few inches from my navel. I guess its a good thing I can't find it on my own, as I probably would be poking at it all the time.

Glad to hear Agnes is doing well. Have a safe trip home.

Every doctor has different instructions and length of time for a pre-op diet. Mine was 2 weeks of high Protein liquids & up to 2 cups of veggies p/day. It seemed a lot stricter than many of the others posted. Your doctor may not have recommended a particular shake, but should give you instructions on the length of time for the pre-op diet, and what you can, and cannot eat. Many allow a low carb meal each day. I've even seen some postings that have no pre-op requirements.

I haven't seen any postings here that havce required more than 2 weeks, so if that is the case, you will not need to start anything till the last few days of your trip. So try to make healthy choices, but most important, check with your surgeon or nutritionist on more specifics on diet length and requirements.

As far as shakes, I like Designer whey & Trader Joe. I also really like unjury chicken broth Protein Powder and Isopure Protein waters. There are lots of other recommendations on this site.

Good luck!

Joan

I had my first fill today. I barely felt the needle, and it was over before I knew it. They put 4cc in a 10cc band.

I have to be on liquids for 2 days, then mushies for 2 more.

My doctor says stop drinking 5 min before eating & resume 20 minutes after eating. I can habdle that.

What's the word on tomatoes? I'm not allowed to have any fruit on my pre-op diet because of the sugar. Tomatoes are fairly high in sugar and are, technically, a fruit.

I wasn't allowed fruit on my pre=op diet, but it did say I could have Tomato juice & tomato Soup, so I gues tomatoes are ok.

I was told not to take any pill larger than an advil. I alternate between Treader Joe's Gummy Multivitamin (love the taste) and GNC Solotron Multivitamin which are chewable wafers. I prefer the Gummys for flavor, but the Solotron has a lot more nutrients. I also take soft chew Calcium, which come in carmel or chocolate flavors. Viactiv makes them, but many local drug stores also have their own generic version. I like the taste & feel more like they are a treat, so usually take them at night. Viactiv also makes a soft chew Vitamin. I haven't tried it yet, but plan to.

Fortunately, my medications are small, or can be cut in half.

Isopure is what got me thru the liquid stages, when I couldn't bear the thought of another shake. It comes in a bottle in quite a few flavors including ice tea, apple/melon, blue raspberry. I buy it at GNC. I'm on solids now, but I still drink at least 1/2 a bottle a day to get in extra Protein. It has 40g protein in 20oz bottle.

I was banded on Jun 8. My surgeon did a single incision through the navel. Supposedly you heal quicker. I haven't had any problems, no major gas pains, and the usual discomfort the first week, so I guess it was a good move in my case. My surgeon asked me whether I prefered the Lap-Band or Reliable Band, and I left the choice to him. Good luck!

I've been on solids for 1 week, and I am embarrased to say, even though I try to slow down, I usually finish my meal in 10 minutes. I haven't been banded yet, and am hoping that will slow me down.

I've also been on WW too many times to count, and have a fairly good eye for portions, however I am still measuring at this stage, and am also keeping track of what I eat & the calorie, Protein & fat count. I am always amazed at the fat count in cheeses and nuts. When I did WW, I found I had better sucess when I kept track of what I ate, although it does become obsessive at times. I also think its good to review it when I meet with the nutritionist, and if I start to plateau or gain weight.

Hey everyone

I wanted to let you all know that I have tried the 100% Whey Protein powder from GNC in the chocolate and Banana Cream and they are totally tasty.. I used 8 oz of skim milk and just one scoop as it says to do and it was good. They say use Water but I did find it mixes best with the milk.

Anyway I wanted to let everyone know this is what works for me and I hope it helps you!

I do know that GNC right now is having a sale on the bags of this stuff for $10.99 a bag instead of like $16.00 so stock up..

Have and awesome day and I am still very excited surgery day is 9th July!

Michele

I buy most of my protein/vitamin supplies at GNC & Trader Joe's. I also like GNC's Whey Protein. I have only tried Unjury's chicken broth protein, but their flavored Proteins seem to get very good reviews on this site.

If you are not aware, if you get GNC's Gold Card, you get 20% off your purchases during the first week of each month. The card costs $10, but I saved more than that on my first purchase.