BetsyB

Taking a kit with you is an awesome idea. I will ask my doctor about that if I ever travel out of the country. Fortunately, my most frequent travel destination is Houston--where finding a doctor well-versed in band adjustment is super-easy.

You can't find omegas in an easy-to-use form? I'll grab some Coromega and send it to you! PM me :cursing:

If your pharmacy does not carry liquid Tylenol, tell the pharmacist you need it. They will happily order it. Ordering online is a great route to take when there are no alternatives (or when you can get a good deal), but I've never encountered a pharmacy that would not stock something if requested.

Phrenic nerve trauma is, from what I understand, pretty commonly associated with hiatal hernia repair. It is also associated with laparoscopic surgery, in general; the introduction of CO2 into the abdominal cavity can be irritating--and persistent. Some surgeons reduce this by removing all CO2 at the end of the procedure. Others (few) heat and humidify the CO2 so its (much colder than body) temperature does not damage tissues. A few do gasless laparoscopy. Elfie, I think it's a good idea to investigate the placement of your tubing and port, but would also keep in mind that you might be one of the unlucky few for whom this pain persists longer than is most common. From what I've read, it seems that for some, it really can be a nagging problem. But, too, it seems as though it does tend to resolve eventually. I'm sorry you're in such pain! Nerve pain is really very miserable. Will your doctor help you with pain management until it resolves? ETA: I just read that you've been prescribed patches--that's wonderful. Adequate pain relief is so, so important!

Hooray! I'm so glad you've reached your sweet spot. I have my second fill on Wednesday, and my third on 3/26. I hope to be in your ranks around then! For now, I'm practicing and pretending I already have restriction--tiny bites, chewing to oblivion, and tiny portions. The "no hunger" part of your post made me smile. For you--and also with hope for myself.

The scale moves very slowly for me, so I take monthly measurements, too. I was VERY discouraged earlier this week, until I learned I lost 7.5 inches between 1/24 and 2/24. Then, all of a sudden, the scale decided to give me a 3.6 pound loss, too. Jackpot! They don't always make sense, these bodies of ours. But they DO do what they're supposed to do. We just have to trust the process.

I don't know about the protein bullets (I no longer use them because whey protein isolate has been found to be more bioavailable than the protein in the bullets), BUT PURE unflavored whey protein isolate from Bariatric Eating (BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, vitamins, and success.) can be added to lots of foods, including Jello. It works really, really well---and really is undiscernable when mixed with food.

Wow, Gloria--thanks! For all you give, I'm so glad to have offered something back to you!

Congratulations! I don't think I've ever seen a yahoo! associated with the liquid diet; it's refreshing! It's good that you see it as the start to something really positive :cursing:

Mine was 2 weeks long. it consisted of two Protein shakes a day (>15 g Protein, < 5 g fat, <5 g carb), and one meal consisting of 4 oz. protein and 1/2 cup nonstarchy veggies. I didn't cheat, and it was very successful in that the intended liver improvements were achieved and surgery could proceed as planned. This, really, is the primary aim of the diet. Weight loss is a nice bonus, but not really what the doctor's after. I lost a relatively small amount (maybe 9 pounds or so)--but had been eating a carb controlled diet for a while, so my body wasn't really startled into letting a bunch go with the preop diet. It's really hard--but does not last forever. You can do it! PS--Peanut butter increases your satiety not because of added protein (it has about as much protein as carb--and not all that much), but because it is mostly FAT. Fat stays with you longer than either carb or protein. Make sure that the added PB fits within the protein-fat-carb parameters your doctor wants you sticking to.

Hooray! Congratulations!

I wonder if sticking with the standard fare--the dense Protein and veggies (you know,the real basics) would help you feel more satisfied as you await restriction? I don't have restriction yet, either---and I am hungry a fair amount of the time. But dense protein really does help with satiety. This is good when you don't have a band telling you to put the brakes on. But it isn't foolproof---I still have to tell myself, with each and every meal, to put the brakes on. I do this BEFORE I sit down. Meals are measured or weighed---and that is ALL I eat. I have yet to perish from a growling stomach! Things with bread? I am sure I could eat them with no mechanical difficulty at this point, but I know they would trigger more hunger for me. That's me--you might be different. But since you're having difficulty, perhaps paring down the refined carbs and focusing on things your body really NEEDS will help. Is it possible your doctor would see you sooner for a fill?

I'm sorry you've had such a miserable time. Kidney stones have to be among the most painful experiences possible. It sounds like you made a good decision, with the unfill. I hope you get lots of relief. What is the plan for dealing with the stones? Are you getting enough Fluid at this point? Do you have adequate pain relief? Potato soup sounds like a wonderful, soothing idea.

:eek::laugh::mad2: I'm singing right along with you!

She works in a hospital kitchen? She's got it made--there are many options! If she's on a full liquid diet, any of the dietitians will be able to direct her. If she's limited to shakes, the hospital likely stocks Glucerna shakes for diabetics; they're pretty well-balanced, in terms of Protein, fat, and carb. (Lower carb that your run-of-the-mill shakes.) Broths, creamy soups (if allowed), Jello--she really should be okay. If she needs guidance, the hospital dietitian would, I am sure, be very happy to help her choose. You're a good friend to help her out. :eek:

Can you give an example of what a typical day might look like, food-wise?

This is contradictory. On one hand, he's telling you it's all in your head, and on the other, he's telling you it's perfectly normal to NOT be at restriction at 7 ccs. (And it IS common---no need to assume he's missing the port; many people just don't get restriction until they much fuller.) The decision to do a fill is based not only on weight loss (because many of us lose without restriction), but also on HOW YOU FEEL. You are hungry. You are not even near capacity for fills. Will your doctor really not give you one? I'd make an appointment. Tell the receptionist you're coming in for a fill. Tell the doctor that's what you're there for. You have to be proactive. Take a food log. Tell him how much you are able to eat, how long you are satisfied, and so on. Then tell him you want the band to work for you as it is intended to work.

Go to a REALLY good bridal shop--the kind where the ladies working there have been there since...well, since your mother got married. They will be able to give you excellent guidance about sizing. They will also know which styles of dresses are most forgiving in terms of alteration--some have LOTS of leeway, and others do not.

Congratulations!

I think the point being made was that some of us could not begin to tell you the portion size we can eat. Why? Because we haven't tested it. We stop when we've eaten the "prescribed" portion size. Hungry or no. It sounds as though your doctor gives you lots of latitude, food-wise--and that can either be really good, or not so good. Do you find that you are more satisfied when you stick to a portion of solid Protein and a portion of veggies? Are there things that DO stick with you better? It's terribly frustrating, but your ticker shows a really great loss so far. Even without restriction, you're obviously doing something very right. Is your doctor willing to work with you to accelerate restriction? This isn't uncommon. If your doctor hasn't already, have him research the MAXIMUM capacity; many need to have more added to their bands than the size specifies. Don't give up!

I'm with Elfie. My doctor routinely uses fluoro, but if he didn't and was unable to access my port, I would say, "I'm here now. How about instead of waiting several weeks to do it under fluoro, we do it before I leave this office today?" (And if he didn't have it in his office? I'd volunteer to walk with him to radiology.)

I totally understand your frustration---I'm right where you are. You are NOT a failure--how could you be? You're just out of the starting gate, and do not yet have restriction.

The fat grams are less critical, in terms of preparing your body for surgery. Yes, in terms of overall health, you want to strive to limit saturated fat. And even healthy fats pack on calories. But if you stayed below your calorie level, got your Protein in, and stuck to your carb restriction, I'd call it a successful day!

Oh, no! How frustrating! I haven't had to have surgery cancelled due to vocal cord inflammation, but I've experienced it badly enough that I know there's no way any anesthesiologist could have intubated me. The ENT could barely advance the mirror he used to view the cords, there was so much inflammation. It was infection-related (though I felt fine)---and was easily treated. Usually, when a patient is difficult to intubate, they try MANY times. Often, more than one anesthesiologist will be asked to attempt it. I hope your throat isn't terribly sore!! Warm salt Water gargles help a lot. I bet you'll be back in the OR--and SUCCESSFULLY banded, in no time. Make the ENT appointment today, and beg for the soonest appointment they can give you. Get the ball rolling, so that you're rolling into the OR fast.

I can't imagine ANY circumstance in which you would be permitted to drive yourself home from surgery. The hospital will not likely release you without another responsible adult present to do the driving. Even if they do--yes, it's TOTALLY nuts to consider it. Aside from the fact that you will be very uncomfortable, you will still be experiencing effects from anesthesia and narcotics. ETA: It would be a really good idea to check with the hospital about their policies before you move forward with this plan. You could always hire a college kid to do your driving--there have to be people in your area who have good driving records and the time to spare.