Mickey527

Loise, Is that Derby Hospital in CT? I used to live in Derby, a long time ago, in 5-7th grade, way back in 1965-1967. Oh well, I don't know the answer to your question but I would call the Dr and ask them, or if you saw a nutritionist call their office. It seems like everyone has something different, I had 12 days of shakes and now am on 2 days of clear liquids for my surgery on Friday. But I also have to do a mild prep of Milk of Magnesia on Thursday so you might want to ask about that too.

Thanks for all the replies. The EKG was not read by a person, it was read by the machine and it showed a mild infarction in the past. I called my cardiologist and she got me in during her lunch hour and re-did the EKG and compared it with the one she had from last year. They both were the same. It seems I have a short high spiked "S" wave which makes my dropped "T" wave look lower than they normally do which to a machine looks like a heart attack. My cardiologist told me she wouldn't have time to dictate a letter and get it mailed to the surgeon so I hand delivered the note on her perscription pad right to their office. All set for Friday. I was starving this am after 1/2 pack of SF jello before I knew the results. I am drinking my lunch now, chicken broth, and half a cup is filling me up. I guess I have and always will be a stress eater. But on Friday I will have my weapon against that!

My Dr told me that if I can't do the stages for the full 7 days it would be ok for me to do 5, (at least 5) and then go to the next. He did say that if I felt hungry after eating 1 cup of food I should call him because I would need a fill, 1 cup is the limit on eating, 3 times a day. I am scheduled for Friday so I guess I can't tell how I will do until the time comes, but I would call the Dr if you are hungry and see if you do need a fill.

Catherine55, I loved your pro/con list especially the one about nylon noises and courdoroy pants. My son's used to call my courdoroy pants "fire starters" because they swore I could rub them together like a boy scout and start a forest fire. My surgery is in 3 days and yesterday I had to call my sister in FL and tell her to talk me into the surgery. I was ready to drop out since I have lost almost 20 lbs with teh shakes and my boys are not supporting my decision. They say I can lose the weight if I only tried, I am taking the easy way out. I am looking forward to playing on the ground with my grandson and not feeling winded when I bend to get a toy.

My surgery is in 3 more days I HOPE! 9/18, the day that hopefully will change my yo-yo dieting forever. I posted on another post about my EKG. Don't know what the problem is yet. I have lost 18 lbs on the shake diet, mostly because I started 4 weeks ago. I did have about 4-5 dinners during that time but the Dr said it was ok since I have been losing so well. I have stuck to the shakes during the last week thought because I had to do 12 days of them and 2 days of clear liquids. I am probably going to be at the 20lb mark by the time I have surgery on Friday if I am able to get it done. Had some broth tonight after my shake for dinner because I still felt a bit hungry and that helped. I have jello waiting for me if I get hungry before bedtime.

I was supposed to drink 5 shakes with 21 gms of protein they recommended the Optifast but they are more expensive so I got the worldwide at Vitamen shoppe and Trader Joes with 35 mg of protein. I had one for bfst, some crystal light in between, another shake for lunch, more crystal light, and either a sensible meal or another shake. I had sugar free jello in the evening while watching TV or on the computer. I could'nt drink 5 shakes a day, the shakes got boring and I just didn't want another in the evening. I love crystal light but the flavors are too strong so I mix a packet with 32 oz water and fill my cup from the jug. I don't like plain water so it had enough flavor for me and still gave me the liquids I needed. I did notice a few times that my urine was darker so I just increased my fluid intake but I wind up getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I try not to drink anything after 9 pm but as you get older that doesnt' help much. lol

Well I made it through the party without a problem. I cut the birthday cake and after I passed out the pieces I licked my fingers of frosting and that was enough. It was hard watching everyone eat pizza while I drank my boring chocolate shake. I have one day left for shakes then 2 days of clear liquids. I AM STARVING!!! I did the shakes for almost 4 weeks and never felt like I do today. I put a banana in my dinner shake and had some jello but it just isn't doing it for me today. I wonder why? To tell the truth, I am almost looking forward to chicken broth, I am sick of these shakes. I am allowed to have some now but I am afraid that if I do I won't want it during the 2 day clear liquids. Every commercial about food is driving me crazy. I really want some of those Vlasic pickles that the little boy scared the cat with, and I don't even like pickles. I wonder if I can take a Lunesta and just wake up on Friday.

I also agree, do the shakes and maybe if you feel you need to chew something have grilled chicken and some steamed veggies for dinner. I started my pre-op diet about 2 weeks before I was supposed to so I have been on it for 4 weeks. I did have 4 nights where I had to chew something so I had chicken, which is the highest protein. I started at 205 and am now down to 188 and still have 2 days of shakes then 2 days of clears before surgery on Friday. I know, I have heard it before, 188 and getting banded..... But my insurance is paying, they feel it is necessary. My favorite shake is the Wroldwide. They are thick and tasty and I like the 35 mg protein ones since I get enough protein with 2 shakes and don't have to really stretch for more fi I am full. You can get them at Trader Joes in chocolate and vanilla, but Vitamen shoppe has banana and strawberry which are the best.

I am almost 5'5" and weighed 205 when I was approved by my insurance. I have been doing the liquid diet for about 4 weeks with a few meals here and there and I am now down to 188. I had breast cancer, have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, COPD, neuropathy from the chemo, lymphedema from the cancer surgery, and fibromyalgia. My insurance wouldnt' have approved this surgery if they didn't think it would help me. I have lost and gained about 50 lbs 3 times since 1998, once when I couldn't eat for 4 weeks after uvulectomy surgery to stop sleep apnea. (didn't work), Once when I stopped eating everything but chicken and walked 5 miles a day rain or shine, and once when I had cancer and had to go through chemo. I always gain it back because I eat more than I should, all you can eat buffets are my best friend. My son told me the other day that he doesn't support me and will not listen to me if I have any problems or complaints. He said he can't see why I would have this surgery knowing I might not be able to eat the things I love ever again (bread, pizza, pasta) I told him I will be able to but also must eat better and avoid as many carbs as I can. My nutritionist said bread is out but others on this board have done ok with it so I am hoping for the best. I am single and my son who is 32 and my grandson live with me. I also have a 30 year old who lives with me. He is a chef, and loves to cook rich cream and fatty foods. I have other family but they have their families and thought they know about the impending surgery they really are not going to be there for me. My sister has had GBP but she lives in FL so she is out. Most of my good friends are out of state too. So I am not sure how things will work with my son, I almost feel that if I have problems he won't be there for me. So I am really doing this myself and will hope for the best. I also hear from friends here about how I dont' need surgery, just walk more, exercise, etc... but with the neuropathy and fibromyalgia it is almost impossible to exercise more than 5 minutes and I am then exhausted for the rest of the day. My response has and always will be my insurance wouldn't pay if I didn't need this.

Tren, did they fix the hernias laproscopicly or did they have to cut you? My Dr feels that I might have a hernia due to my breast cancer and the type of reconstruction I had. He had me sign a form saying that if he finds one I give him permission to fix it. He also had me sign a form saying that if he feels it is necessary he will do a surgical placement rather than a laproscopic. I really think that is what is going to happen due to the reconstruction. They rebuilt my breast with my stomach (free tummy tuck) but they made my lower belly below my bellybutton so tight that I don't think they will be able to inflate it with gas enough for him to move around. Guess I will just have to wait and see, Friday is coming soon. Peggie PS, just finished making and decorating my grandson's birthday cake for his party tomorrow. They are having pizza and cake, my two favorites. I might have to leave my house tomorrow I am starving this week and the shakes just aren't doing it for me.

Constipation is the one thing I am most worried about. I have a history of constipation. I remember when I was little my mother had to give me molassas enemas. (this was in the 50's when that is what they used for children.) I hate the smell of molassas still today. When I was getting chemo I took colace and metamucil every day but still had problems. One day I used an enema, took exlax and then drank a bottle of citrate of magnesium and still nothing. I had to go to the ER but had a 4 hour wait. I was so uncomfortable but finally things worked out..... I really dread the constipation that I know is inevitible no matter what I try.

Good luck today Tren. Let us all know tomorrow how you are feeling after discharge. That is what I am most worried about, the pain after. I moved up my surgery to Sept. 18. 9 days to go.. I started the liquids a week early with only 2 nights where I ate food (broiled chicken and steamed veggies) the rest of the time I am doing 4 shakes because I am just too full to drink the 5th. I am also drinking alot of crystal light but I like it watered down, one packet to 32 oz water. I lost 16 lbs already! I am getting no support from my sons. They said they don't support me at all and can't understand why I just don't diet and forget surgery. My reply to them was my insurance wouldn't have approved me if they thought I wasn't eligible. I have lost weight in the past and gained it right back, and that was when I could exercise, and only because of some kind of surgery: uvulectomy for sleep apnea and I lost 50 lbs because I couldn't eat for 6 weeks. Then when I had chemo I lost 40 lbs because I couldn't eat much for 3 months. But every time I lost the weight it seemed to find me a few months later. So I am alone in this venture, my sister who had GBP does understand but she lives in FL. These boards do help me feel I am doing the right thing, my health is important, I have to live to see my grandson get married and have a family.

:confused:Ok, I know, newbie here, but I did a search for shakes and got so many topics without the title in them. One about fish lol. So, I have to do a 2 week 5 shake a day plan before surgery. I love to chew, especially bread, so this might just kill me but I am going to try. My nutritionist suggested Optifast800. She also suggested Trader Joes Brand which is alot cheaper but still outrageous. I am thinking they are not stressing protein numbers but calories but I am assuming (I know what that makes U and Me) that I should take in at least 100-140 gms per day. I went ot GNC and saw some other brands but the nutrition panels had me questioning the health aspect of using these. I mainly am concerned about sodium. Some of the shakes have sodium contents of 400 mg. I am supposed to avoid sodium but they are very high in most of the shakes. Also, I am on a very fixed income, I spend about $60-75 a week on food for myself, my two sons and grandson. How am I supposed to do 2 weeks of shakes when they cost about $4-5 each and they want me to drink 5 a day. That is $175 a week, I can't afford to do that. I wouldn't be as overweight as I am if I could afford $175 a week for food. I would have eaten alot more fresh veggies and less pasta and potatoes. I have a bigt container of Whey Protein in the cabinet that my son who joined the Marines used before he went in. It hasn't expired yet so I might just try to use that. Ok, I ramble... What can I add to make the powder more tolerable? Which shakes are the best? I am going to pick a few up each week so I have them when I need them. I start my pre-op diet on the 8th of Sept. for 2 weeks and then another week of liquids, then baby food for a week before I can eat somewhat normal. Thanks for taking the time to read this long post. Peggie

I am 5'5" and when I went to the surgeon for the first visit I weighed 201 so my BMI was 33. My highest weight had been 210 about a month before when I saw my GP who suggested I see the surgeon. My GP sent in the weight history of 210 and the surgeon sent in the 201. I do have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, neuropathy from past chemo, and a few other problems that hopefully will be relieved with weight loss. I have Anthem BC/BS which from what I hear is one of the best for approvals. I was approved in less than 2 weeks. However I still had all the meetings with the nutritionist and psychologist, and x-rays etc.. before I could schedule the surgery so even though I was approved in July my band date is 9/18, less than 2 weeks!

I had my pre-op meeting with my Dr today. I was supposed to start my pre-op diet tomorrow but decided to tru and help the fatty liver by starting two weeks early. The past 2 nights I shakes for bfst and lunch and dinner with my family. I lost 14 lbs. The nurse tried to "tattle" on me that I was eating dinner each night and the Dr said, you keep doing what you are doing, you lost 14 lbs in 2 weeks. Then the nurse tried to "tattle" that I was drinking the Worldwide shakes from Trader Joe's instead of the optifast that they sell in the office and again the Dr said they are ok. I really thought she was trying to get the Dr to yell at me but I guess I showed her. (skinny little B&*^# lookes like she weighs 95 lbs fully wet, she needs to get a job somewhere else) I am getting the surgery because I can't exercise like I should due to some health issues not caused by weight and all I do is sit around the house and eat. It might be easier if I could work but I am disabled and food has always been in my kitchen. So as of now I have 45 lbs to get to my goal of 145. Tonight I cooked all my favorites and had a great meal. I put the amount that I would have normally eaten but was only able to finish about 1/2, I was stuffed. I had a delicious filet mignon, baked potato and mushrooms and onions, all my favorites. Tomorrow I will have bad breath from the onions, probably pass gas all night tonight, and will have gained at least 2 lbs, but it was all worth it. Still questioning if the surgery is the right thing, more nerves than feeling it is wrong, but I will be at the hospital on 9/18 and will probably feel lbetter once it is done. Peggie

I spoke to my surgeon and he was able to move my date up from 9/22 to 9/18. Not much but I am ready and want it DONE! I have to start my pre-op liquid diet on 9/4 but figured I would give myself a head start and I started on Saturday. My main reason is that I have a fatty liver and wanted to do as long as I could on the liquids so I can really shrink it. I have been doing ok with the 5 shakes a day until today. I babysat for my nephew who is challenging to cope with and when I came home I just had to have a glass of wine. So I am enjoying my approx. 6 oz of wine and feel a little guilty that I couldn't hold out. I know it is silly since I don't really have to start till the 4th, but I thought my self control was stronger. The worst part is I have to watch him the rest of this week and on Mon and Tues. I am thinking I should get rid of the bottle of wine tonight.

I also am going through the same. I started on Sat. and yesterday (day 5) was the worst. I dreamed of food all night and woke with the worst headache I have ever had. I did't take anything, it went away when I started moving around. I am doing a 3 week instead of the required 2 mainly because I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver and want to do as much as I can to make it shrink. But I am starving, and my son said today, you really don't have to start till the 4th, why don't you go out with us and have some real food. I know they are questioning this surgery but I didn't think they were going to sabatoge me. At least they haven't brought in any of my favorite foods, as a matter of fact they have been making a point of eating outside on the picnic table so I won't have to smell the food.

My surgery is on 9/18 and I will be staying one night. My Dr's group requires a one night stay. They want to make sure you can swallow and keep it down so they observe for one night. I haven't heard anything from my insurance about them paying the cost of the hospital. They did agree to pay for the surgery. Guess I had better get on the phone to the Dr. But I do have medicare as a secondary insurance for hospital stays so I am thinking they will pay for the overnight if the first insurance doesn't pick it up since they require an overnight stay.

I also think it might be an allergy to something in the drink. I know they do use some weird chemicals to get the nutrients that are in it. they also say on the box "Made on machines that also produce soy and wheat products. Are you allergic to any of these? Have you tried a different product? What did your nutritionist recommend? My Dr recommends Optifast but it is way too expensive for me with what little I get from my SSDI. I bought the Worldwide brand from Trader Joes and loved it. (chocolate and vanilla) I just went to Vitamen Shoppe and bought the 3 flavors that Trader Joes doesn't carry (strawberry, banana, and cookies and creme) and they are even better. See if your Dr will allow these instead.

I would never have known about my fatty liver if I was just living my everyday life. I had an abdominal ultrasound done when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer because my dad had died 3 months before of liver cancer. I was stage 3 grade 3 (as close to stage 4 as I could be without being stage 4). They checked everything, stomach, lungs, liver, brain etc... and luckily it was only in my breast and lymph nodes. It was 5 years on Aug 18th so I am now considered Cancer Free! However the chemo caused some disabilities and I can't exercise as much as before so I gained almost 70 lbs.

I am trying to post a signature and a photo but it doesn't come up on my posts. I have gone to the signature area last nightand again today. What I want posted is showing up but it doesn't show on my posts. Is there a moderator that approves the photos for content or am I doing something wrong? I have my name, and a little sentence and a photo of my grandson. How do I get it to show up, I did get my Avatar to work? Ok, now the blurb is showing up but not my photo???

I haven't been banded yet, Sept 8, am I allowed to be posting with all you seniors if I am not even a freshman? lol But even now I can't eat french fries and a burger from Mc D's. YUCK! All that grease bothers me for the rest of the night. But I did have to say to congrats to RESTLESSMONKEY. Boy do I remember the days I took my boards. Way back then we took them in two days for 4 hours in the morning, 4 in the afternoon each day. And we didn't find out we passed for 2 weeks. And none of us have to be nice to people like the OP talks about. Those are the ones who ruin the chances of others from getting insurance to pay for this surgery that oculd save our lives. If it doesn't work for a good majority of the people it will not be covered. We all give you permission to smack her around a little. Peggie

Tren, There's the problem, I can't go for a walk. I have neuropathy from chemo treatments and I never know when my leg or arm will go numb and I lose it. I have fallen into the street, off my bicycle, and down the stairs. So no walks to get away from the food. that is one reason why I was approved so quickly. they are hoping that by losing some weight I won't get as numb, but I weighed 140 lbs right after chemo and couldn't return to work as a nurse due to the neuropathy in my hands. Now I am 205 and problems are about the same. I have talked with my sons, one who is a chef (wouldn't you just know it) and the other who lives in my house with the love of my life, my grandson. I told them they have to be considerate during the 2 week time, no delicious smelling foods, maybe spinach and liver? And no leftovers. If I can't find it I won't be able to eat it. I will try and avoid the kitchen during dinner times just to make sure. But I will eat birthday cake for my grandson on the 8th and start my pre-op diet on the 9th. I am thinking that once banded it will be easier to tolerate the liquid diet for another week or two after surgery until I can eat babyfood on the third week.

I have to start the pre-op diet on Sept. 8th but I tried this week to do it to see how bad it will be. I made it through bfst and lunch but had to eat dinner, it smelled so good. I don't know how I will make it through 2 weeks but I know I have to since I have a history of fatty liver.