Katy517

My nutritionist said it is because caffeine is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. A lesser reason for not ingesting any coffee at all, even decaf, was that it contains a lot of acid and could irritate the stomach during healing.

I believe that each surgeon's diet plan varies with respect to caffeinated beverages. Mine called for me to give up caffeine at the beginning of my pre-op clear liquid diet and to remain caffeine-free until at least six weeks post-op

I just returned from my 4th post-op doctor's visit with my surgeon to address my port pain and discomfort. It's still pretty swollen even now almost 5 weeks post-op. The other reason for my visit was to (hopefully) be approved to swim and bathe again. My doctor examined the port area and determined that there was a suture under the skin causing at least part of my problem. He 'operated' on it right there with no real preparation at all and basically got under the skin, found the offending suture, removed it and caused a great deal of bleeding. He said that much of that blood looked to be old and the result of the suspected original post-op hematoma. It hurt a lot, but once he finished and bandaged me up the pain had subsided. He's hopeful that this will resolve the port problems that I've been experiencing. Unfortunately, opening it up today even just a little bit means no swimming until at least my next follow-up on 6/9.

I'm three weeks post-op and my port is still protruding a lot. I had some significant bruising from internal bleeding initially that's for the most part gone now. The port still sticks out though and feels like a large hard lump just under the skin. It's still really uncomfortable too. I can't bend over without significant discomfort and sitting in one position for too long is also really uncomfortable in the port area. I saw my surgeon today and he says that it should alleviate. He actually said that he wasn't worried about it. I've not seen anything here or elsewhere to suggest that this is normal. Is it? Thank you.

It's whatever your surgeon prescribes as a post-op diet. The diets vary by surgeon, but I believe that all include liquids for at least some time-frame post-op. Many also include a mushy phase post-op. Mine is six weeks liquids only followed by my first fill.

Mine is still very sore, bruised and hard almost five weeks post-op. Mine is below my left breast at the base of my rib cage. It causes me daily discomfort and worry.

My surgeon's guideline is no food/drink by mouth after midnight the day of the fill - not even water. Then clear liquid diet for 48 hours after the fill. No mushy stage.

I'm down 34 pounds so far from my pre-surgery diet with the nutritionist and I don't notice anything other than my trousers fit a little more loosely than they did previously. Nothing in the mirror at all. I feel a lot better though and my endurance is much better when exercising or taking the stairs.

17 pounds lost at four weeks from surgery day weight.

Congratulations and good luck Karen. I admire your perseverance and commitment.

Have you tried the unflavored whey protein supplements? They don't add any sweetness at all.

I'm sorry that you're going through this and having difficulty resisting food that is within arm's length. My belief though is that we can't ask others to change for us in much the same way that our own internal changes must be for us and not for others. My significant other is naturally thin and loves to snack at home. That hasn't been easy to deal with for the past five weeks of my all liquid diet and it honestly doesn't get easier. I wouldn't ask that those things be removed from our home though as I think it's up to me to resist them just as I would resist pulling into a fast food restaurant and grabbing a quick burger. It's my job. Every time I open the pantry and see the cookies and chips it's difficult. Every time I smell the yummy food being prepared it's difficult. I keep imagining though that it will get easier once I get restriction. As mentioned below, journaling your food intake really does help and so does going for a walk when you're feeling a major urge to snack. Good luck and hang in there.

Yep, five days post-op clear liquids + 6 weeks post-op full liquids. I then get my first fill and have two more days clear liquids for a consecutive 49 days of liquids only. Not quite sure how I'm managing to stay sane at this point with 17 days left. I just got back from Whole Foods and they had a bunch of food samples out like cubed cheeses, chips, salsa and guacamole. It looked so inviting and made me kind of crazy, but I managed to not partake. My surgeon is convinced this is the way to ensure both complete healing and also to jump start weight loss prior to getting the first fill. I've learned that he's actually had bad experiences with mushy stages in the past. He had a patient who was quite proud of having created a mushy out of Chicken McNuggets and Ranch dressing so no mushies for me and a very long wait for solid food.

It all depends on your doctor's diet plan. Some folks are eating mushies within a few weeks of surgery. Others like myself have to wait at least six weeks post-op to have any non-liquids. I would give them a call. The bariatric coordinator at my surgeon's office provided a booklet that answered most of my questions about diet as well as other issues. Good luck.

That's great that you're working on the diet while you apparently don't have restriction. Have you let your doctor know that you're having troubles? Maybe they could help you additionally with diet or even work on your band restriction. I find that support groups as well as what you're doing by posting here is really helpful to. Good luck.

It sounds like this might be at least part of the reason your weight loss has stalled. You say that you can eat the same things/amounts you always could before. Are you doing so? I haven't had a fill yet, but my understanding is that until one gets restriction it is up the individual to control what they eat with good diet choices. Are you logging your food intake and getting plent of protein? How about exercise? Hang in there during this apparent bandster hell.

Sounds horrible Sandy. Mine looks like a tumor too. Really creepy, but the worst part is the pain. Thanks again for the details. It's nice to know that I'm not alone. If this doesn't get better and my surgeon doesn't start taking it seriously, I'll be getting a 2nd opinion.

Mine is below my left breast at the bottom of my rib cage. Is yours still painful? Mine is and especially hurts when I bend over.

My insurance didn't have a pre-op weight loss requirement, but my nutritionist really worked with me on incorporating eating habits that would help after being banded. Things like choosing lean proteins, eating proteins first, chewing my food thoroughly and not drinking before, during or immediately after mealtimes. Just those changes enabled me to take off and keep off five pounds prior to the pre-op liquid diet. I'm grateful for it and encourage you that it's not too late to make positive changes that will make your transition to being banded that much easier. Good luck.

Has it been that way since surgery? What did your surgeon say about it?

Are you copying everything that is in the bbCode box? See this thread for signature creation details if that doesn't work http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/diet-ticker-114355/. Cheers.