umystifyme

Welcome to our little group!! Another Dec 23rd Bandster!! YAY!! :thumbup: Please share any of your experiences too. And ask questions! Good luck!! Keep us updated! Amy

Hi Kathie!! Welcome to LBT! There's a lot of useful information here and you will learn a lot. First of all, Cassie, was banded in 2008 (12/23/2008). So losing 60+ lbs in a year is normal. That's about 2 lbs a month. Kathie, unfortunately, you will not be able to drink coffee after surgery. It contains caffeine that irritates the stomach and causes hunger. Even after you heal, your doctor will most likely not allow you to drink coffee b/c caffeine does cause hunger. Also you are not allowed to drink any caffeinated beverages or sodas right after surgery. Hope that helps. Amy

Hi Katy, I know how you are feeling regarding the liquids. I woke up feeling very hungry today (day 5). I would love to pick up something solid to eat. I keep telling myself that it is only for a few more days and then I can move to a soft diet. We came this far, haven't we? We can do it!! :thumbup: :thumbup: My stomach has settled down A LOT!! First of all, I stopped my Protein shakes yesterday (until I can talk to my doctor today). I also ate only 1/3 of what I have been eating since I have been home. I had 4 oz yogurt, 2 fudgecicles, and 1/2 cup of cream of chicken soup in 18 hours. My doctor and nutritionist were very clear on what I could eat after surgery but they did not specify how much I could eat. So, thanks to a board member for pointing this out to me~ I had "dumping." Dumping occurs when you eat certain things or eat too much and I was definitely eating too much. As soon as I cut back on my eating yesterday, I felt much better. I'll keep you updated on what my doctor says. Thanks for checking in on me!! Take care and will talk later!! Amy

I'm happy to hear that you are doing better!! I still have a little bit of gas and diarrhea but definitely not as bad as it was. I'm back on pain meds but am feeling a bit down. It just seems like my doctor's "liquid" diet was not conventional. I'll be contacting my doctor, the program coordinator, and my nutritionist in the morning. I'm positive that they'll be able to help. Thanks for all the helpful info!! I appreciate it!! :thumbup:

Amy, You must talk to your doctor. He should have given you a list of foods, menus, and consistencies to eat. Do NOT try to eat any solids, even applesauce, at this point. Sometimes yogurt is not allowed immediately after surgery(i had only clear liquids for the 1st 2 days, and wasn't allowed yogurt (no fruit, sugar, or lumps) until day 3, post op). Strained soups, sugar free popsicles and fudgesicles may be tolerable. i could also have thinned cream of wheat, and thinned mashed potatoes ( soupy). If you have any liquid protein drinks, i.e. slimfast high Protein, or EAS, do take those, slowly. My doctor said no more than 1/4 to 1/2 cup for the the meal, 3 meals/day, and something to drink ( about 1 cup) almost every hour in between. The goal I had was for 6-8 cups of fluid (including the 3 c. of protein drink) and 70 grams of protein a day. You have a couple of things going on, any of which can upset your stomach. Your stomach was inflated to help with banding. Your stomach has had a major shock. You may be consuming too much at one time or moving too quickly to more solid food consistencies( you should be at the all liquid, no lumps stage). If your stomach is easily upset, or does not tolerate some foods, this may be part of the problem, too. i would urge you to back off, try clear broth or protein drink, and call your doctor. If you are drinking any coffee or tea, caffeinated or not- stop. I couldn't tolerate cocoa, either, for a while. These can upset your stomach. Hope you get some rest tonite. It will get better. Did the doctor give you any information about post op eating, protein, caffeine? it is a new way of eating and usually nutrition education is a must for candidates. Sue, I'm going to talk to my doctor in the morning. He put me on a liquid diet for 7 days, which ends on Tuesday. After Tuesday, I advance to a regular diet. However, I'm not allowed to drink soda or any carbonated beverages. Also, I'm not allowed to drink anything with caffeinated. His diet guidelines for week 1 are: Protein Shakes Milk and sugar-free yogurt Strained cream soups Sugar-free pudding Sugar-free fudgecicles Sugar-free applesauce Low fat cottage cheese Blended canned or soft fruits and vegetables Cream of wheat/rice or Farina Blended soups and stews Since I am doubtful about a lot of the above, I decided to stick with just the yogurt, fudgecicles, protein shakes, and soups. I did go to educational classes with a nutritionist who went over the above list. She stressed that we were not allowed to have jello or oatmeal. I did ask questions but did not ask HOW much we could eat at one sitting. She gave me a binder filled with information and there is nothing regarding how much should be consumed at each meal. This is my fault. I should have asked more questions. It just didn't occur to me. Tomorrow I will speak to my surgeon and the nutritionist. I'm very sad right now. I hope they can help me. Thank you!

Hi Katy! Hope this finds you well. I can't believe it is already day 4!! Well, where do I begin?? For starters I don't want to scare anyone off. However, I hope I can be informative. I started with gas and diarrhea on Thursday night (1 day post-op). I thought it was a reaction to the antibiotics that they gave me in the OR. It passed during the day on Friday and I was doing well. Other than my bout with the gas and diarrhea on Thursday evening, I was doing quite well. On Friday eveing, the gas and diarrhea returned. Anything I ate or drank came right back out. I was sick off and on all day Saturday and called my surgeon. I was just happy that I was off the pain meds and was able to walk around! My surgeon really thought it was due to the antibiotics given to me in the OR. I do have a very sensitive stomach when it comes to antibiotics. He told me to call him Sunday morning with an update. Well, I was up all night Saturday sick and was at my wits end. My surgeon told me to try to eat Fiber crackers. Anyways, I have cut back on my Water and liquid intake and seem to be doing a lot better. :thumbup: My advice to anyone who is about to be banded is to make sure you eat very small amounts when you return home. I'm hoping that this will not be an ongoing problem. I just wish my program coordinator/surgeon would have been clearer on how much I should have been ingesting once I returned home. Other than that, Katy, I am doing quite well. I have some pain around the incision areas due to being sick but am able to move about and am looking forward to feeling better on Monday! I did have to take some pain meds on Sunday and it looks like I will not be returning to work until next week. But I have faith that everything will work itself out!! :thumbup: How are you??

And to add to all of this, my mother has now decided that this is the perfect time to bake brownies!! :smile:

The gas pain is horrible isn't, it? I cut back on my drinking and that has seemed to help. I'm also cutting back on my eating. I wish my doctor would have been clearer on how much we could and could not eat. That would probably prevented a lot of my current distress. Oh well.. live and learn. I'm soo glad that I have this board or I would be in bed crying. WOW! I can't believe you are up folding laundry! I am barely moving room to room. That's awesome. Good for you! I know you are in a lot of pain, just keep moving. After this pain medication wears off, I'm going to try to do some laundry myself. Good idea... thanks! BTW~ What are you eating and how much are you eating? Thanks, Amy

Sue, I'm eating Dannon Light 'n Fit Carb Control Yogurt, Sugar-Free Fudgecicles, and creamy soups. No one told me how much to eat. Maybe I am eating too much, as it happens only in the evenings after I eat dinner. How much am I supposed to be eating? Please someone help me!! I'm going insane here! For example, I eat 2-3 fudgecicles a day, 1 yogurt a day, and probably 3/4 of a can of soup a day. I guess that is a lot. I didn't really think about it. My doctor did talk to me briefly but did not let me discuss any of these concerns nor did he bring them up. The diarrhea started Thursday night (1 day post-op) and I was relieved that I wasn't constipated. But thought it would pass. It continued and I was too embarrassed to discuss it on the boards. I cut back on my drinking and my eating today and have been fine so far, except for gas. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I did break down and took some of my prescription pain medication a little while ago. Hopefully that will ease the pain and help me get some rest. Thanks Sue! Any other advice is welcomed!

I was up all night with gas and diarrhea. :smile: I had stopped all pain meds on Friday night. I am now experiencing pain around my abdominal area and my incisions. My surgeon said I could be having the gas/diarrhea due to the antibiotics that were given to me in the OR. He doesn't want me to take any Pepto or anything just yet. I'm very miserable right now and am in pain. I'm also concerned b/c I have to return to work on Wednesday. Did anyone else have diarrhea after the surgery? I've been experiencing it off and on since surgery. It usually happens in the evenings after I eat. Now I'm beginning to regret having this done. All I feel like doing right now is crying. I'm miserable. My stomach hurts with gas pains. My incisions burn and sting. I keep burping. I feel all this gas rolling around on my stomach. Is this how my life is going to be like? Did I make a HUGE mistake?? My incisions hurt soo much, I can barely stand, sit or walk. It's like I'm back to day 1. Any advice?? Thanks!

Hi Lisa! I was also on a low carb/high protein diet. Believe it or not but I lost 3 lbs in less than a week!! :smile: So, I do believe that you have lost weight. I am 99.99% positive that the surgeon will not turn you away because you are too fat!! So, please relax!! You WILL be banded on Monday!! I did not have to do clear liquids the day before surgery. I just had to do the low carb/high protein diet. And the day before surgery, I had to eat very light~ everything had to be baked and/or grilled. Right now I'm eating sugar-free Jello, sugar-free apple sauce, yogurt low in carbs, Atkins Protein shakes, cream of chix Soup, cream of broccoli soup, sugar-free fudgecicles, and cream of wheat. Obvioulsy these are not clear liquids. I don't know what your doctor wants you to eat. Maybe other's can help. Any ideas?? Thank you for your support!! We'll be here for one another!! Keep us updated on your surgery! Good Luck!! Amy

Hi Melissa! Time will fly by. I can't believe I am already 3 days post-op!! My surgeon did not require a pre-op liquid diet, thank God. At the most you may have to do a one week liquid diet. So you will probably be banded within the next couple of weeks! YAY!! Feeling excited and nervous at the same time is NORMAL. I was soo excited yet anxious too. Honestly, being banded was the best Christmas present I have ever received. This was the best decision I have ever made and I am very happy right now. Yes, I am experiencing some gas and gurgling but nothing painful. The last dose of pain medication that I took was at 4:30 am this morning. I am tolerating liquids just fine. I'm doing really well. I'm on the computer, I'm walking, I'm watching tv, I'm eating, I'm reading, and I'm getting bored! lol I feel like I should be doing more! I have had surgery many, many times. So, I wasn't scared too much about the actual surgery. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Take care Melissa and keep us updated on your journey!! Good luck! Amy

Thanks Sue! I'll try walking more. That's probably the problem. If that doesn't help then I'll try some Gas-X. Thanks again! Have a great night! :smile:

I'm experiencing a lot of gas and gurgling. Absolutely no pain. Just wondering if this was "normal?"

It was outpatient. I was in about 8 am for prep and out by 3:30 pm. I am experiencing a lot of gas/gurgling. Nothing painful at least. Today I feel a lot better. Trying to drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest, as I am supposed to go back to work on Wednesday! YIKES!! How long were in the hospital for, Katy?

I started this process on March 12, 2009 and was banded on December 23, 2009. My insurance company required 6 months of supervised weight loss with my pcp, monthly meetings with a psychologist for 6 months along with psychological testing, and monthly weight loss meetings for six months. I also had to have a BMI of 40 or greater and co-morbidities. I had a BMI of 42 with several co-morbidities. I began the 6 month supervised weight loss program on March 12, 2009. I met with a psychologist for the first time in April 2009 and underwent psychological testing in June 2009. I met with my surgeon in June 2009 and then again in August 2009 after I finished all of the above requirements. The program coordinator at my surgeon's office submitted my documents to the insurance company for approval on September 2, 2009. I was approved for surgery on October 6, 2009. I did not have the surgery right away, because I was dealing with thyroid problems and undergoing tests for thyroid cancer. When all the tests came back fine, I went for my pre-op tests and scheduled time off of work and here I am.... Banded December 23, 2009!!!

Katy! I'm soo excited that I met you! This is awesome that we are able to share this experience day by day! I'm able to walk okay and sit, etc. But it does hurt getting in and out of bed. I guess you use more (or I do) ab muscles positioning yourself in bed than if you are just walking. Other than that, I have discomfort around the incision sites which is to be expected 2 days post-op. I'm taking my pain meds and sleeping a lot. I'm drinking plenty of water and feeling quite "normal." For some reason, my doctor will not allow his patients to eat Jello. I don't know why, and that is why I was wondering what types of liquids you were able to eat. I'm glad you are doing well. Keep me updated, Katy! You're in my thoughts and prayers! Amy

I'm BANDED! I'm BANDED!! I'm BANDED!! What an AWESOME feeling!! Merry Christmas Ya'll!!! Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!! Joy, Peace, and Love to all!! Enjoy this wondrous day with your family and friends! Hugs, Amy

Welcome to LBT! I was banded on December 23rd too!! I'm still sore around the incisions but am doing well over-all. I'm SOO happy to be banded!! This is the best Christmas present EVER!! What type of liquids are you eating? I'm eating yogurt, fudgscicles, cream of wheat, and cream of chicken Soup at the moment. How are you feeling today? Please keep me updated! Merry Christmas!! Amy

Merry Christmas Sue!! And yes, it will be a GREAT New Year!! I'm BANDED!!!!! I'm SOOO EXCITED. Yes, I am sore and a bit uncomfortable. But it will be so worth it!! I got home just in time, right before the rain turned into ice. I've been sleeping all evening and getting ready to go back to bed. Just wanted to post on here real quick first. I was able to eat a little Chicken soup and a fudgscicle. Everything is staying down fine. :w00t: I took my pain meds and am off to happy dreams! Thanks for all your support. Good night!!

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be on here asking lots of questions! They called me and changed my surgery time from 1 pm to 10:30 am which is AWESOME!!

I'm being sent home.

1 MORE DAY UNTIL I AM BANDED!!! My surgery is scheduled for 1 pm tomorrow, Wed. Dec 23rd. I am soo very excited!! I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming!!

2 more days until I'm banded!! WHOO HOO!! :thumbup:

I didn't go on a diet, I changed my eating habits. I decided to eat healthy. I stopped eating out. No fast food and no restaurant food. I also stopped eating red meat. I also stopped eating cheese. I really cut back on my starches and did not eat any sweets. No soda, not even diet soda. I drink tons of water. 10-12 bottles of water a day. I weigh and measur everything. Buy a scale and lots of measuring cups. I eat lots of veggies. Lots of salads, lots of broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. I stay away from fruits b/c they are high in sugar. I eat 6 ounces of protein a day. Unlimited amount of veggies. Five servings or less of starches a day. Two servings of dairy and some healthy fats. Sometimes I will eat fruit for a snack... very rarely though. Also, I WAS exercising 5-7X/week. Any type of movement is great Hope this helps a little! :biggrin: I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I'm nervous too! Amy