Count down advice

newyorker33 · March 20, 2008

I am having the banding on 4/7 and would be interested in getting peoples thoughts on good postop diets. What worked what did not work. I am nervouse about the whole thing and starting a preop diet tomorrow. Any advice? Any good tricks for making the diet work in the workplace?

love777pink · March 21, 2008

Wel, the doctor just reccomends a low fat diet with a lot of Protein (to help you heal afterwards). My doctor has me on no special diet (just a liquid the day before and nothing after midnight the night before). I'm having my surgery the 26th... so we'll me around the same time!

Kat817 · March 21, 2008

Pre op diets vary widely...from none at all, to 3 weeks of liquids in preparation for it!

Post op diets are much less varied, most differences fall in the length of time involved in each stage.

Most of us come home on a clear liquid diet. Water (always!), apple juice, broths---nothing with texture at all. It is recommended that for this stage you find something similar to Zero Carb Isopure, it is a clear liquid Protein drink---think Protein kool-aid! It has 40 grams per bottle. They also sell shots of protein---I have never tried them.... I remained on the Clear Liquids for 2 weeks. Something to keep in mind during this stage is that for most of us, liquids in=liquids out. Often diarhea hits---because our body is not used to not having food! When you move on, it eases---it is very normal.

The next stage you usually move to is full liquids. Anything that would pour through a straw. Cream Soups, Protein shakes, some pureed foods---thicker liquids.

Then you move to mushies. Cottage cheese, yogurt, mashed potatoes---soft foods.

Finally then after usually several weeks---a month on average I would guess you move to a full diet.

When they place the band, they bring the lower stomach up and stitch it, to hold the band in proper postition. Scar tissue begins forming, and that will be what keeps it in position. When you adhere to the liquid diet, it gives your stomach a chance to heal. When you put food into it that needs digested, the stomach has to knead and squeeze to push the food through---which keeps those adhesions--scar tissue from forming snuggly. If it does not form a snug fit, you will have wiggle room for the band increasing your odds of slippage.

Keep in mind, how long it takes your outside stitches to heal, and they are being kept dry, and allowed to air--the stitches inside are in a moist area, and will take longer to heal.

Sometimes it seems like the post op diet goes on forever! You go through bandster hell! You have a healthy band, and no fill, so you get very little if any help from it. BUT for the long term, it is well worth following your Dr.'s suggested post op diet. When the hunger or munchies hit, get up and move, go for a walk, or clean the kitchen---anything!

In the end it is ALL worth it!!!

We survived it, and you will too!!!

Welcome to both of you!!

Kat

LOOKIN2LOOSE · March 22, 2008

Pre op diets vary widely...from none at all, to 3 weeks of liquids in preparation for it!
Post op diets are much less varied, most differences fall in the length of time involved in each stage.

Most of us come home on a clear liquid diet. Water (always!), apple juice, broths---nothing with texture at all. It is recommended that for this stage you find something similar to Zero Carb Isopure, it is a clear liquid Protein drink---think Protein kool-aid! It has 40 grams per bottle. They also sell shots of protein---I have never tried them.... I remained on the Clear Liquids for 2 weeks. Something to keep in mind during this stage is that for most of us, liquids in=liquids out. Often diarhea hits---because our body is not used to not having food! When you move on, it eases---it is very normal.

The next stage you usually move to is full liquids. Anything that would pour through a straw. Cream Soups, protein shakes, some pureed foods---thicker liquids.

Then you move to mushies. Cottage cheese, yogurt, mashed potatoes---soft foods.

Finally then after usually several weeks---a month on average I would guess you move to a full diet.

When they place the band, they bring the lower stomach up and stitch it, to hold the band in proper postition. Scar tissue begins forming, and that will be what keeps it in position. When you adhere to the liquid diet, it gives your stomach a chance to heal. When you put food into it that needs digested, the stomach has to knead and squeeze to push the food through---which keeps those adhesions--scar tissue from forming snuggly. If it does not form a snug fit, you will have wiggle room for the band increasing your odds of slippage.

Keep in mind, how long it takes your outside stitches to heal, and they are being kept dry, and allowed to air--the stitches inside are in a moist area, and will take longer to heal.

Sometimes it seems like the post op diet goes on forever! You go through bandster hell! You have a healthy band, and no fill, so you get very little if any help from it. BUT for the long term, it is well worth following your Dr.'s suggested post op diet. When the hunger or munchies hit, get up and move, go for a walk, or clean the kitchen---anything!

In the end it is ALL worth it!!!

We survived it, and you will too!!!

Welcome to both of you!!

Kat

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for that GREAT Info!! I am saving this one, my surg date is 4/2 THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!:shades_smile:

moonshadow2468 · March 22, 2008

I'm just finishing my pre op diet. Two weeks of Optifast only. It was terrible but the Dr. said it will really help recovery time. Being banded this Tuesday the 25th. Will let you know.