Melinco

I was told I can drink until about 10-15 before eating.

Illum Lady, I am not a fan of cottage cheese, but I am thinking I might buy some (given it is low or no carb) and blend it with some spices and make a dip out of it for celery and cauliflower. I think that will help. I'm not too concerned about calories in my pre-op, just the carb level. Oh, I'm going to the store tonight!!! Thanks for the idea.

Click on your ticker and it will take you to the website. Enter your password, update your stats, save and it will automatically update the link here. That's it. Good luck!

It's a head game - but boy does it suck! Yesterday was tough. As you remember, I'm on a solid high protein low carb diet. You'd think it would be easy, as I do get to eat. However, it's pretty tough to stay below 30 grams of carbs, especially when my head is telling me that I want more. I need more! I. HAVE. TO. HAVE. MORE! Shut up head!!!! I went through my cabinets last night looking at everything trying to figure out what I could eat that would keep me below my limit. I finally pulled out my creamy peanut butter and had a spoonful, which put me right at my limit. It's amazing, even eating lots of meat, cheese, yogurt, etc., my calories are still lots less than where they should be for a one pound per week loss. I'm wondering if I should quit tracking it all and just concentrate only on the carbs. Oh, and to start today off on a GREAT foot (sarcasm dripping here), one of my coworkers brought in his Christmas treats that he makes from scratch (he's Italian, so very yummy cookies and such). When I go up for my break this morning, I am going to move that tray of yuckies to a different table so they are not staring me right in the face. On a different note, I took my first packet of Miralax this morning in my hot tea. I couldn't even tell it was in there, which is good. I was afraid that it was going to be thick and icky, but it wasn't. Good luck to everyone having surgery today! You're going to rock!!!

Poppyred, To change the weight on your ticker, just click on your ticker, it will take you to the tickerfactory website, enter your password, and then enter your new weight and save. It will automatically update your ticker where ever you may have it (like here and on a blog). You won't need to do anything to your signature here, it's automatic. Good luck! I just changed mine this morning as I'm down a couple of more pounds!

The patch behind the ear is called scopolamine.

Michelle, The patches are to prevent vomiting (like when you get the stomach flu or food poisoning) and not for PBing (when you took one bite too many and it comes up). You put one on when you are feeling nauseated, in order to keep you from vomiting, to keep your band from slipping. My surgeon is very proactive in keeping you from doing anything that might cause the band to slip. He wants us calling with any questions or concerns, regardless of the hour of day. When I get home in a bit, I'll post the name of the patch.

My pre-op went well. Official weight lost so far is 7 pounds. He answered all of my questions, gave me all the Rx I need to fill before or after the surgery. He gave me a script for patches to put behind my ear: one immediately following the surgery to wear for 3 days, then replace with another and wear it for 3 days also. This is to prevent nausea. The script is good for a year, so in case I feel nauseated, I'm to wear it to prevent vomiting. He said it was very important not to vomit, and that he has other medications he can give me if I get the stomach flu, etc. I will have a pain pump inserted during the surgery and will last for about 3 days, which should help with the pain at the site of the incisions. Also gave me celebrex to help with inflamation and an antibiotic to take for 7 days. Also gave me Keflar (or Kexlar), a nasal spray pain medication. He said not to fill that one until after the surgery as I may not need it. I go in at 6 am and surgery starts at 7:30. I should be home shortly after 12 noon. I asked him about the gas-x strips and he never heard of using it to help with the gas, but he said it wouldn't hurt to try it. He also gave me a sample of Miralax to help with BMs, since the amount of fiber in my diet has decreased. He said to take it every day, even after banded, to help move things along. I paid him yesterday, so now only have to pay the surgery center and the anesthesiologist. I'm sure there is more I'm forgetting so when I get home tonight I'll go over my paperwork and post again.

Karyn, This may be too late, but perhaps you should ask your surgeon for a prescription for the patch you put behind your ear that controls nausea. My doc gave me a Rx for them and I'll put one on immediately after the surgery, wear it for three days, then put a new one on and wear it for three days as well. He said it was very important not to throw up with the band on (different from the regurgitation). I'd give him a call if you are still feeling nauseated. I hope you're feeling better.

I really don't think that having a few packets of splenda a day is going to cause the problems that were discussed above. If you're doctor is okay with it, then do it. If he isn't, then don't. Regarding the hot tea, I met with my doctor yesterday and he said any non-calorie liquid can be drunk all day long. So I say enjoy your decaf hot tea with splenda. Mine will have the caffeine. :thumbup:

Today I started my pre-op diet. I was doing quite well until after lunch when I got two e-mails from our bosses saying that goodies had been delivered. Brownies and Engstrom's toffee. Ugh. I have stayed away from it, but it isn't easy. I have my pre-op appointment today. All the final little details will be worked out, I'm sure.

Today starts the first day of my 10 day pre-op diet. My surgeon has prescribed a high Protein, low carb (less than 30 grams) of solid food. My surgery is on December 17. Breakfast and lunch should be pretty easy. My breakfasts consist of 1 hard boiled egg, 1 Frigo cheese head string cheese light, and 1 container of Kroger CarbMaster yogurt. Total carbs 8 grams, total protein 24 grams. Lunch today will be pork loin, baby greens salad with cucumber and Litehouse bleu cheese dressing, and a sugar free Jello. Total carbs 6 grams, total protein 57 grams. For dinner tonight, I want to try to incorporate some additional vegetables, while keeping total carb count under 30 grams for the day. Does anyone have some suggestions? Carrots, potatoes, green Beans are out. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Cawells, Not every doctor prescribes a liquid pre-op diet. My surgeon is having me do 10 days of high Protein low car solids diet starting tomorrow. My surgery is the 17th. If you want to do it on your own, you can.

Have you tried using a fresh white corn tortilla? Just place a couple of them in between two damp paper towels, warm in microwave. Yummy!

Sara, yes that's me! So you've read my blog, huh? You should become a follower. One day, I may get enough followers to become a "cult" leader. lol Probably not. I started my blog in '08 when we started our IVF process. Unfortunately, it didn't work and now I'm here trying to lose weight so we can do donor eggs or embryos. Since my age won't play a factor, we just have to worry about my weight. I can get lighter, but I can't get younger! Go figure.

Sara, I'm the 17th too! My surgery is at 7:30 am. Should be home shortly after 12:00 noon. I start my pre-op on Monday, I'm doing 10 days of high protein/low to no carb solid foods. Our stats are pretty similar, but you must be a bit taller than I am, we have about the same BMIs. I'm so looking forward to having a BMI of less than 40 as one of my first goals.

Come join us December Bandsters 2009 / December Delights on the pre-op and post-op boards, as well as on the Community/Social Groups/December Delights board. I'm being banded 12/17 and start my pre-op diet 12/7. This will be my last weekend on normal food for a long time!

Deb, is it possible your insurance would reimburse you if you went to an out of network doctor? I know that Dr. Kirshbaum in Denver is quite popular, and his cash price is around $9500. Not sure what you would do for fills though. Dr. Smith in Pueblo would be closer, but his cash price is about $14,500. What part of NM are you in?

I've got a date with Bruce. He's my new partner. We're going to become acquainted on December 17. I'm very excited for us to become intimate. Just 25 days from tonight, I'll have him inside me. What more could a girl ask for then a strong, flexible, and embracing partner?? :thumbup:

Welcome to LBT! I'm being banded on 12/17. I don't have any advice for the liquid pre-op diet as my surgeon has me on a solid Protein pre-op diet. However, I wanted to invite you to come and join the rest of the December Delights, those of us getting banded in December. You can find us up at the top under Community, then Social Groups, then December Delights. Also, you can find posts on both the pre-op and post-op pages. Just look for either December 2009 Bandsters or December Delights.

Hi Illum Lady, thanks for the info on the pre-op class. I met with my dietician a few weeks ago. Monday will be my pre-op with my surgeon for last minute instructions. I also start my pre-op diet that day. Two weeks from today! By this time, I'll be home recovering. I'm really starting to think about what foods I want in the house after the surgery, like broth, Jello, apple sauce, etc. I am not a milk drinker, so I may have to go and buy some Protein powder to mix with milk and maybe some sugar free chocolate syrup and make a thin milk shake. I gag when I drink milk, thus I don't drink it.

Preop class? I have a preop appointment with my surgeon, but no class. Do you know what you'll be doing in it? Thank.

Harley, my doctor is going to give me a pain pump, so he said I should be good going home. Also, it's same day surgery, in fact, I'll go in at 6:00 am, surgery at 7:30, and should be home shortly after 12:00 noon. HTH!

Congrats on being banded! Take care of yourself and post more when you are up to it.