Ladyred

I noticed on my post -op diet it said no caffeine. I love my coffee and ice tea. Can anyone tell my why it is not reccommended?

I have been on full liguids for 10 days now and start mushies at two weeks. I have several questions. If what I read on here is right I am doing it wrong. My notes said to sip drinks all day long consuming a minimum of 40 oz. I did not relaize until today that it should only be 2-4 oz at a time. I thought liquid just passes through. Anyway how long do you wait after consuming 4oz to start sipping again? I have not even added a time factor to mine. My second question is am I the only one who does NOT feel full and feels hungry at this stage? (Not always, just some of the time) I also get to have 3oz meals 3 times a day but they are liquified too just not one of my regualr drinks. (i.e hot cereals, mashed potatoes -drippy and soups strained or pureed etc. Lastly do you count broth as a 3oz meal or can you count it as part of your liquids for the day? Thank you everyone in advance for any advice you may have!

Renee, I hope you dont get too depressed by what I say next but please investigate this more. I am only adding my 2 cents. I too have UHC. My daughter also has UHC at her employment. I have a friend that works with claims for a major insurance company and this is what she told me. Although the three of us have UHC there are 100's of policy's written based on what your employer chooses for each inusurance company. Often larger employers has better policys. My daughter works for a midsize company in DFW and her UHC will not cover bariatric surgery. My company is rather larger (coast to coast) and allowed it in our UHC policy if you qualify. Since so many people have taken advantage of it these past years at my company ( my conclusion) they are are discontinuing bariatric coverage Jan 1, 2007 for OUR policy. It does not mean everyone with UHC will have theirs discontinued. In the past I have heard UHC gave easier apporvals for bariatrics than companies like Cigna. Two of my friends have been jumping through hoops with Cigna. ( months of counseling etc). Your doctors office may be giving you information based on what their experience has been with UHC patients. They just had better policy coverage per their employer. Do some more checking before you give up. Good Luck!! I hope it all works out for you.

MarySue, The first two weeks my nuturtionist said I did not have to worry about the protein shakes. When I start mushies on Sunday I have to start my portein shakes or whey product in foods. She said half of my 48-64oz a day of liquid should come from protein supplements for 2-3 months since we are not eating enough protein. The goal is to get in at least 60-75grams a day. I was given a list of protein drinks that have high protein count. Once in the mushie stage some of your protein will be in the food. She gave me a sample list of food items and protein in an 1 oz serving or 1/4 cup depending on what it is. She also said the protein drink whatever we pick should have less than 5 grams of sugar.

Thank you! Its good to know I not the only hungry person during this stage. I was really worried about the drinking thing too. If it works for you then Im not gonna worry about that rule. Later after the feel I can understand. Good Luck to both of you!

Thank you!!!!!!

My doctor did not put me on a pre-op diet as I have read that so many have been on here. It seems that it a good idea based on what I have read. What can you eat on the pre-op?

Dani-X, What type of liguids can you have? Protein drinks or what?

Thank you so much! I start tomorrow and wanted to go shopping tonight. This helps. I actually only have a week left but something is better than nothing. I heard it was about the liver.

Hi Everyone, I have been reading the website for a couple weeks now off and on and doing some research, but I have few questions and concerns. I would really appreciate any help and advice you have to give. I am being banded 10-9-2006 by Dr Kuhn, at Baylor Dallas. If anyone has heard much about him, I would really like to hear from you. I spent time in his office this past week, where a psycologist told me I would fail at the band and tried to push me into the bypass. I could tell at my first seminar with the Baylor doctors they were pro gastric bypass, but it just flat scares me. I have heard stories from people I work with who have had gastric. Anyway I have spent the day reading Lapband and came across a site about removal of the band and reasons why. I wish I had never gone there. I would love to hear positives right now. I do have two questions that I am not sure about. Can you tell my why they dont want you to drink before or after a meal? Also why are Fiber foods bad to eat? I saw asparagus on the list and it made no sense. I am not backing down but I am a little nervous right now. I have spent a lifetime on a weight roller coaster and I am ready to get off the ride. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________

I went to the nutrition meeting yesterday at my doctors office and asked about the no caffeine. The nutritionist told me not during my first 2 weeks post op but it would be ok after that. I wish they would make up their minds. Their food list shows it as a no no when they hadn you information at your first appointment with the Doctor. Thank you everyone for all your information.

Hi Everyone, I have been reading the website for a couple weeks now off and on and doing some research, but I have few questions and concerns. I would really appreciate any help and advice you have to give. I am being banded 10-9-2006 by Dr Kuhn, at Baylor Dallas. If anyone has heard much about him, I would really like to hear from you. I spent time in his office this past week, where a psycologist told me I would fail at the band and tried to push me into the bypass. I could tell at my first seminar with the Baylor doctors they were pro gastric bypass, but it just flat scares me. I have heard stories from people I work with who have had gastric. Anyway I have spent the day reading Lapband and came across a site about removal of the band and reasons why. I wish I had never gone there. I would love to hear positives right now. I do have two questions that I am not sure about. Can you tell my why they dont want you to drink before or after a meal? Also why are Fiber foods bad to eat? I saw asparagus on the list and it made no sense. I am not backing down but I am a little nervous right now. I have spent a lifetime on a weight roller coaster and I am ready to get off the ride.

Thank you everyone! I dont think I can totally give it up. I will have to ask when I see the doctor next. :confused:

Not only did it have it on my pre-op diet papers, but I found it listed as a no on more than one site. I pulled up dies recommendation on Obesityhelp.com and I found it on someones food list on this site as well. I just dont know why.:confused:

My banding is October 9th. I just met with the doctor 9-20 for the first time. Other than that is was a seminar and paperwork. I had an upper GI done and will have pre-op work and nutrition class/pyscologist meeting on the 26th. I keep reading on here about all the people doing a pre-op diet. There was no mention of a special diet prior to surgery. I have two weeks to go and like a few others on here I want that last special dinner out with food not on a post op diet. I am starting to worry that is not the best idea.

Em1125 its nice to know that you have been successful even with those same patterns of eating like me. I know I can do and I am psyched!!! Tlak to you soon.

Kilcollins, I am so excited for you too. The three of us will have to keep in touch here. If it wasnt for you and Lots2luv I would be clueless about the diet prior to surgery. Good Luck and keep in touch!

Carlene Thank you soooooooooooo much!!!!! It all makes sense on the liguids. I also read a post on here late last night with someone who had my same doctor for the band and I felt so much more encouraged. I know they are pro gastric, but I am begining to believe mine, in the group of Doctors that did the seminar, will do whats right by the patient. This site has been a blessing. Congratulations on you success'swith the band.

I know he has done many procedures, but his specialty is gastric bypass and I bet the numbers are more like 10 to 1 in ratio. Baylor Dallas is supposed to be one of the best around in my area for experience. I started my first seminar with them over a year ago and was approved in December for gastric, then backed out. I was reapproved in February for lapband but backed out again because I just wasnt sure. Then the emotional roller coaster hit with issues the next few months. I called them in late August to see if I was still ok for approval and they said yes. When I went to my appointment last week for the first time to see the doctor I was given a packet to read. They had me visit with their psycologist first and do a couple test. The doctor then came in and talked for a little bit and asked me if I had any questions. Not knowing everything to ask I didnt say much. They scheduled me for an Upper GI and a nutrition class next week. I do pre-addmission next week with a couple more test and then they me see me on the day of surgery. Its funny, but I was totally approved for all this having only filled out papers and attending a seminar. Its like a racket of sorts they have going on. I assume they think if I have been around a year I must know it all. One of my papers said something about liguids the day before and taking some kind of laxative. Boy doctors do have different ways of doing things. I have been on the food forum and taking in all the suggestions. Thank god for all of you on here. I am probably not at the best place when it comes to lapband I guess. I do have confidence in the doctor when it comes to skills only because I paid the price to learn more about his credentials on a website. A couple other people have also reccomended him.

:phanvan Now I am starting to worry. No they didnt tell me to lose weight before at all. Did they just assume I was smart and knew it all. Who knows....I am learning so much on here. Thank you Thank you!!!!

Lots2luv, There was no mention at all of a liguid diet. I have read all my papers cover to cover and it was not suggested. One of my friends however told me I should do it. Her reason was that it shrinks your liver and makes the banding go much smoother. I guess she read it on here somewhere. She went to the same place as I am going and they had not told her to do it. The usual practice for banding where I am going is out the same day. My friend was home that day by 1:00 after having that morning. I however have to stay overnight according to my doctor. I have to have some addtional surgery at the same time. I had a open abdominal surgery in May for other issues and now have a large hernia in the same area. They are going to take care of it at the same time during the banding. How long will you be there?

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I feel the support coming. Robyn my impression of them supporting the bypass was they kept saying at the seminar there are too many ways to cheat the band and the success rate of bypass was better and more permanent. They emphasized the problems more with band than bypass. My personal GP docotr just told me they would make more money with gastric bypass. I got a laugh out of that. BTW thank you for the explanation on drinking. Lots2luv, I am so excited we are doing it on the same day. What do you mean by starting liguds now? I wasnt told to do anything like that. Please help me understand. Please keep me posted on how you are doing. em1125, I am a graizer I guess in a sense and an emotional eater sometimes. Arent a lot of overweight people eating because of some type of emotional need. I know I can do this no matter what they say. I have done weight watcher with commitment and lost 90 lbs when I set my mind to it. I wont let them tell me I will fail at this. Grazing will just have to stop. Jack you seem very inspirational I am ready for the ride.!!!!!!! Mysherrijo and Jadedlady1, thank you for the education and well wishes. I cant wait to take this journey with you and everyone on the website. You are all the fantastic support that will make me more successful.