Katy517

A nice Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir is my choice. In fact, tonight will be the first time since beginning my pre-op diet on 4/9 that I will indulge in anything alcoholic and a bottle of Cab has already been picked out.

FWIW, my nutritionist and surgeon both allowed decaf tea during both the clear liquid pre-op and full liquid post-op diets, but even decaf coffee was off-limits.

I believe the main reason is that it is known to irritate the stomach so would be especially bad during healing post-op. Best to get accustomed to doing without it prior to surgery. My nut recommended that I begin reducing coffee (and soft drinks) in the six months prior to surgery and then eliminate completely one month prior. That somewhat gradual reduction helped.

The liquid diet actually gets easier rather than harder so hang in there. I didn't like the shake mix that my nut recommended so kept looking and found one that I do like. It's very tasty mixed with Crystal Lite or diluted clear juices like white grape or apple, which were permitted on my diet plan. Trader Joes has a really tasty low sodium chicken broth too that I found to be very satisfying. Just hang in there, it gets easier and the fact that it makes surgery safer as a result of shrinking the liver makes it all worthwhile.

I was banded on 4/15 and had a hematoma and internal bleeding at the port site too. I'm still bruised from it, but when my surgeon attempted to drain it nothing came out. The port itself sticks way out on me like a tumor sort of.

I haven't taken a Nexium since my surgery on 4/15/10. For the prior two years I was on a daily regimen and without it would have horrible reflux. Also haven't taken a daily dose of Claritin since surgery and don't quite understand why I'm not feeling the need for my daily allergy med as I was before. Great idea for a thread.

It depends on what I'm blending, but typically choose between a traditional Osterizer blender and a hand-held blender. The hand-held is great for smaller portions.

I just had my first fill this morning. It was done in a hospital radiology department by a radiologist. I was initially given 4 cc in a 14 cc Allergan band. I didn't report any special sensation at that level and 3 cc more was inserted for a total of 7 cc. At that point I reported feeling tightness in my chest area as well as the urge to burp from the barium and 1/2 cc was unfilled. That seemed to feel OK to me and the procedure was finished. I was asked to sip Water and wait 20 minutes in the waiting room to be sure there were no ill after-effects and there were not. It's about 4 hours later now and I'm having a Protein shake made with Crystal Light. It's going down OK, but I'm drinking it pretty slowly. I'm told not to eat solids for 48 hours, but at this point am not hungry anyway. It would sure be nice I think to (like the OP) get full on 6-7 bites after just one fill.

The thread title says it all. I've reached my limit with liquids and have decided to end my doctor prescribed six week post-op diet four days early. If you add my pre-op clear liquid diet to the post-op it makes 43 days that I've been on either clear or full liquids with no caffeine, carbonated sodas, alcohol, etc. I have to assume that I'm fully healed internally now and that no harm will come from making this decision. My first fill is this Wednesday so I'll be back on clear liquids then for two+ days. Will do my best to make smart choices until I reach restriction and of course use this forum for support and guidance. It's beginning to go to my head at this point and is making me kind of batty. I think that if I never see another bowl of broth, cream soup, yogurt, jello or protein drink it will be too soon.

I think that my doctor simplifies post-op for his patients to keep them out of trouble with making bad choices and to increase early weight-loss. Mushies can be pretty fattening and without restriction people can consume quite a lot of the wrong kinds of food if they're so inclined. The six week liquid diet works pretty well to combat those risks.

Thanks for the support folks. I feel better and am starting to feel pretty normal again even - a better normal though.

Seems like there are quite a few such posts and most seem to point to the need for some type of adjustment, whether it be band, diet or activity level. What's your typical daily diet like? How about exercise?

Thanks Mary. I'm not sure why finishing four more days seems so onerous to me after coming this far, but it does. It also just doesn't seem worth it. This site has really enlightened me to realize that my surgeon's directives are far stricter than the norm.

Sounds very troubling. I would consult another doctor and get a second opinion. Good luck getting it resolved and also with your weight loss.

I was instructed not to take anything by mouth (including water) after midnight the day of the fill.

Every surgeon's program is different. One of my prerequisites was an overnight sleep study. Also had to have a full GI series, ultrasound, psychiatric evaluation, blood work, chest xray, pregnancy test and six months of visits with the nutritionist. My PCP had to send a letter of recommendation along with ten years of weight history and weight loss attempts. I think that was the extent of it for requirements. My pre-op diet consisted of five days of Clear Liquids. Good luck!

I'm 5'6" and my goal weight is 133 pounds, which is a 21.5 BMI - right in the middle of the 'normal' range.

Definitely doesn't sound like it's your port. Is it causing you any pain or discomfort?

I had a five day clear liquid pre-op diet and it wasn't really too bad other than I celebrated (sort of) my birthday during it. I was working and kept myself really busy and that helped. I also was super excited about the banding so concentrated on that rather than the hunger. Good luck.

I've not heard of this before, but several of us on this board have reported that our port sticks out like a tumor of sorts. Mine sticks way out and causes pain and discomfort, which is more of a problem for me than the fact that it is visible. I'm just five weeks post-op and my doctor is convinced that it is just 'pushing' against something due to swelling, etc. and will resolve itself. I'm not convinced.

My surgeon's general guideline is no submerging in water of any kind until at least six weeks post-op and then you need to be examined by him to give final approval.

I am looking forward to being able to keep up with my three highly energetic golden retrievers, to being free of the aches and pains in my knees, to walk up to the 3rd floor at my office without being out of breath, to wearing my favorite old Levis again, to being light enough to ride the mules down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon for the first time and perhaps most of all to living into my old age and enjoying good health.

I'm not eating solids yet, but will start soon - two days after my first fill on 5/26. My plan is to eat mostly lean Proteins and complex carbohydrates. Both are required for good health in addition to good fats in moderation. Without adequate carbs our bodies will use up the Protein to fuel our energy levels rather than to build muscle, etc. as it is intended to do. I'm definitely of the belief that both are required. My nutritionist suggests eating protein first to ensure I get enough and I'll do that. I think the key is to choose wisely - good proteins like fish, eggs and maybe chicken along with complex carbs like vegetables, whole grains and fruits. I really aim to steer clear of processed foods and simple carbs.

Yes, six full weeks, but it's full liquid vs. clear. I can have cream soups, unsweetened apple sauce, sugar free pudding and yogurt along with all the typical clear liquid options. Not sure if I'm progressing faster or not, but am sure glad that it's almost over! I wouldn't worry too much about your surgeon following this protocol as I've yet to find anybody else on this board with the six week full liquids requirement. Good luck.

I saved the URL to my favorites. Makes it very easy.