Search the Community

Ok guys, I've been sticking w/ my pre-op diet and have been sucessful this far. However, right now, I'm doing nothing but liquids and I'm not getting a lot of calories right now. I'm doing 3 shakes a day and I'm only taking in 330 cals! To me, that seems drastically low and I don't want to put my body in starvation mode. So, what are some good ways to get calories in and stick w/ the pre-op regimin. I'm curious how many calories did you get in right before surgery?

If you are less than 3 months out from surgery you might want to hang on to them for later. Your taste and what your stomach can handle will change later on. I couldn't stand them either after surgery. But now I have no problem and like them, 6 months out.

It will as you heal. Try gas x strips. I did and it helped but truthfully it will go away as you heal. Ill be 4 weeks post op tomorrow and Im now starting to see the gas relief. Good luck Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

yep I already did 2 weeks of liquids 2 more isn't really going to be that much harder..I do not I mean do not want a leak . My doc told me to follow the plan and he is almost sure that I will not have a problem. But if I vary he is very cautious and don't want to take any unneccesary risks of developing a leak.. If it was me I would follow post op to the letter.

Chewing gum causes gas. It is one of the things they tell you to stop doing. Gas X strips and Mylecon drops worked for me. My gas pains started to subside right around the 1 week mark. It will get better! Don't chew gum, whatever you do! Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

I just started the options classes last week and was wondering if anyone else is taking the classes right now. I will probably be having surgery in march. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

so I lost 7 lbs this week after not losing more than 1 1/2 for two weeks. The protein and water is working and even if this is not seen again for another two weeks, this is a success. No more complaining. Not posting to brag (hate that) posting because a lot of others go through the same stagnation and it is impossible to see hope.

I have such knots in my muscles that every time I do exercise I end up in such awful pain. I've started and stopped several exercise attempts because of pain. Five minutes on the treadmill, five days a week, gives me so much pain and headache that I can hardly function. A half hour Water aerobics class would wipe me out for a whole day. It's a new year and I'm going to start again. I'm just worried about the pain. Will it ever go away? Has anyone else had this problem?

I'm 6 weeks today, and I too have been battling this hunger stuff.... I feel like I'm always wanting to eat, and then when I do eat, I feel like I take that 1 or 2 extra bites and it just hurts. It's like i'm trying to feel fuller longer. I also feel like I can eat a little more than 2 oz now too. I'm going to try to up my water intake too and protein to see if this helps. Great advice. Thank you! Lisa I really hope you feel better soon! My only problem thus far has been my rash... it really sucks.

Date Printed: January 5, 2007: 10:48 PM Supplemental Letter for January 9, 2007 January 3, 2007 Dear Review Panel: Presented to you for review is my case for a gastric procedure known as a laproscopic banding procedure or "Lap-Band". In a lower review, BCBSFL did not dispute that I meet the criteria for the Lap-Band procedure. There is no dispute that I would benefit from weight loss surgery and there is no dispute that losing weight would be beneficial to my health. At issue is the coverage of this surgery and the exception I am requesting for this exclusion. Ironically, I received a phone call a few weeks ago from BCBSFL's new Diagnostics Program that offers support to wellness. Through this program, I gained beneficial information in the form of a booklet, catalog and DVD on the very weight loss surgery I am requesting. There is evidence in my medical records that I have tried for years multiple weight loss regimens and used pharmacotherapy for obesity under the supervision of my physician, Dr. Alan Sichelman. For my mental state, it is documented by my therapist, Jane Fenby, that I have a full understanding of what this procedure entails and that it will be a lifetime commitment on my part. There is no indication that I am unstable, misinformed with perceptions of unrealistic expectations; Rather so, that I have pursued this avenue under the direction of my primary care physician and other medical personnel, with cooperation, information and education; That I am laying the course for my surgical event and post surgical life by the compass of these individuals and their combined medical expertise demonstrates I am an individual who very much wishes to be healed. Unquestionably, I am ill and feel I am fighting for my life. As a result of my severe morbid obesity, I suffer from sleep apnea, diabetes, depression, back problems, joint pain, hypertension, migraines, Pictures will show my condition and the severity of my obesity. It is true that my life is endangered. This procedure will prevent the worsening of my condition, alleviate present harmful medical conditions and perhaps cure them. It is the conclusion of my physican(s) and myself that I am in need of this operation. Please authorize my surgery. Additional: As providers of health care coverage, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has historically authorized weight loss surgery. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina cut in half hospital re-admissions "by the twelve surgeons in North Carolina that are designated as centers of excellence for bariatric (obesity) surgery." Additionally, BCBSNC was one of the first insurers in the nation to officially recognize centers of excellence for bariatric surgery. Illinois also follows this model as well as South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan and several other states. In recent publications in the Tampa Bay area, BCBSFL appears to be using bariatric surgery denials as a financial decision rather than one in the best interest of patient care. I must express my concern that with sufficient evidence from their medical providers and informed decisions with which they move forward, it is very troubling that patient/physician decisions of health necessity are disrupted, ignored and denied, superceded by a focus on cost. It is hoped that Florida will soon follow the successful excellence practice as established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield in other states. Patricia Reeves

I go into hospital on Monday so that 3 days away and I woke up this morning feeling a bit yukky,I think it's a start of a cold and now I'm stressing out because I'm scared my surgery will be cancelled :-( anyone feeling like this?

Good hello, Just wanted to introduce myself. I had the gastric sleeve surgery on Monday. I'm in bed, sore, but positive & looking forward to this new way of life! Becoming the very best version of myself. My heighest weight: 265lbs Day of surgery: 251lbs Current weight: 248lbs Goal : 150lbs Attached is a pic of me the morning of surgery. Excited to have some comparison pics in the next month or 2! Sent from my SM-F916U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am getting excited and nervous as March 10th gets closer and closer. I've lost 28 lbs so far (Since January 16) and have about 2.5 more weeks of liquids before surgery. I'm drinking New whey Protein bullets (mixed with about 20 oz of Water. I like the fruit punch and "blue" raspberry. None of the New Whey Proteins end up the color you'd think they'd be. I also drink some ensure and Soups. I am 37 years old, 5'10" starting weight was 378 current weight (depending on the scale is between 345-350).

I am having a similar problem that I guess at this point is acid or gas. I got a slight unfill last week and since then I have has terrible gas pains after eating or drinking. By night time, it is so bad that I stay curled up in the fetal position to relieve it. I went to the doc about it a few months ago and he asked me to get a barium x-ray (where you drink the barium and they takes x-rays of it going down). Everything was fine. I haven't had the issue in a while since I was so tight I could barely eat anything. I am going to try the Benefiber that others had suggested in other posts. Please let me know if anything works for you.

I focus a lot on the scale but I also focus a lot on the gym so hopefully that balances things out for me. Before I had kids I had a lovely flat stomach even though I was overweight but after 3 kids, my tummy has been way too big. It's coming down a lot and the gym is helping to tone...I'll be interested to see if it ever gets the way it was. I've heard that before about the belly fat being a predictor of health and risk for bad things and I'd love to get rid of mine!

Practice chewing your food a lot, removing distractions while eating so you listen to your body when you are full. Trying to slow down taking 20 to 30 minutes to eat. I might also suggest measuring out a real portion, now post surgery those portions are much smaller but the behavior of actually sticking to a real portion will hep you.down the road. The other thing I would do is start tracking your food intake (good or bad) into a tool like my fitness pal. This becomes really important post surgery but I really wish I had started it beforehand so that I could understand my nutrition better. I think I would have seen my Protein and carbs so upside down that it would have shocked the hell out of me. I believe much of my success so far is because I track literally everything, good or bad. I do it throughout the day so that I always know exactly where I am with my protein, carbs and calories. It really helps me to make much better snacking decisions for sure. If my protein is low, my snack is some jersey or a Protein Bar. If my protein is on track I might have some crackers and cheese or even something a little naughty if I am out with hubby for dinner. That tracking tool allows me to hold myself accountable. It also helps me understand when a stall has gone on for a while, what might be causing it. I also use an Apple Watch to track my activity and exercise. Before I had the Apple Watch I used a Fitbit. Good luck to you!

I had the same thing 2 weeks out. Developed a rash on my chest and back. Two weeks layers it's almost gone. Weird.

I had my surgery on 10/8 3 1/2 weeks out. My highest weight 238, surgery weight 230. Current weight 220. I seem to be loosing about 2.5 lbs per week so far. It seems like I would loose more with as little as I'm eating but I have always been a very slow looser. Although I never could loose like this in one week. It would take me twice as long, & starving at the same time. I have just a slight feeling of hunger when I haven't ate in 5 hrs. I have no trouble eating anything, but keep the amounts only at 1/2 cup at a time 2x a day. I have a Protein shake with fat free milk in the morning. I'm walking everyday but for only 30min. I feel great, getting energy back & no pain. I still have a little bloating & have to add miralax every other day to my Water to keep things moving. I get at least 60g of protein a day & 64oz of water. Hopefully I'm doing everything right!!

I began attending Bariatric Support Group Meeting. They are generally held once per month and are free. I began walking 30 minutes each day. Walking really helped to make the recovery process go smoothly and quickly. I gave up all caffeine and carbonated beverages. I had a 6 Diet Coke a day habit and making this one change caused me to drop 20 pounds. I had to suffer through a week of withdrawal syndrome because of the caffeine. But it was far better to go through this early then combine it with the recovery process after surgery.

Im doing a 6 mo diet for insurance approval. I have one month to go. Here are some questions I asked but also some I will ask on my next visit. 1. Expected recover time, 2. Single incision (New), 3. Outpatient surgery (New) 4. When approved will I have options on surgery date, as I will have to make arrangements with my job, 5. Vitamins patch versus oral, 6. Gerd and hiatus hernia, 7. Pre op diet. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello! Just curious what people who are in this longggggg waiting period are doing to prepare. I have successfully started eating smaller, more frequent meals, am going to the gym about 4 days/week, not drinking calories, reducing sugar intake, and not eating out at restaurants. I am also starting to take Vitamins daily. However, I really need to work on getting in my 8 glasses of Water per day and weight training (I am only doing cardio right now). My surgeon's office doesn't put people on a specific diet but just focus on making small changes every couple weeks. I haven't lost any weight but I feel like eventually these changes are bound to pay off and it is a nice change to not be on a "diet" for once in my life because it gives me a chance to work on some less than healthy behaviors I have developed over the years. What is everyone else doing?

Hi everyone, just wondering if there was anyone near me who fancied getting together to just have a laugh and gove support. I am in need of a buddy to keep me going and feel a bit lonesome!! Xmas was tough but I didn't put on anything but my weight loss has slowed right down. Going for another fill next week hopefully I will find that sweet spot! If anyone else want a buddy get in touch!!

Can we eat grits

Ok, I was wondering about grits too, thanks for asking!! I am in week 3 right now and don't feel like I am losing weight like I should. I lost 21 lbs the first two weeks and nothing since, Oct 29 will be 3 weeks since surgery..is this normal? Am I doing something wrong...and I don't know how to start a new thread/topic/or post..can someone give me some direction? Thanks!

Sorry to say, I was banded on July 22 and still have port pain. You have a foreign body in your stomach and your body does not like it one bit. It is much better than when I was three days out and each week it eases a bit. My doc says 6 to 8 weeks is normal. I am 55 so everything takes a bit more time then when I was younger. Small price to pay. I fit into pants today that I have "outgrew" before I could wear them. Good Luck