Banding in 10days...looking for pre-op experience.

[gr8fulmaria 0]

:frown: Hi everyone....my surgery date is 2/23/09 with Dr. Geiss in NY. I am so happy that my time has come.:cursing:

I started my journey back in may 08. This Dr. has a the psych and nutrition associated with his office but they are not covered by the insurance, so that is an out of pocket expense that I just couldn't afford. Cost about $350-$400. This week I had to go to the office with about 10 other people scheduled for the up coming weeks for I guess I will call it a Pre-surgical what to expect class. It was good, but the nutrionist was up last, had been there for over 2 hours late in the afternoon and needed to get home, so I didn't get to ask a lot of questions. What so we eat this week b4? I know they don't want you eating sugar or fat. Any suggestions on this pre-surgical period are gladly welcome.

thanks

Gr8fulMaria

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Not everyone does a preop diet. Call your surgeon and ask if you need to be on one; if so, they'll tell you what it entails. good luck!

[gr8fulmaria 0]

Went to pre-surgical class on tuesday. Yes I need to be on liquid diet for the week B4.....they will not help me at the office because I didn't use their nutrionist. That is how I found this forum. Thanks

[ShelleyB 2]

I am scheduled for surgery on 2/25/09 and I have to do a 2 week preop diet. Mine is a liquid diet using Optifast (kind of like slimfast). I am on day 3 of the liquid diet and it's been rough, but hopefully it will get better. They say the hunger goes away. The goal is to reduce the size of your liver and belly fat, as well as show that you are committed to the changes necessary for lapband. Good luck to you and don't be afraid to ask any questions!! This site is wonderful and the people here are willing to help - just ask!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Went to pre-surgical class on tuesday. Yes I need to be on liquid diet for the week B4.....they will not help me at the office because I didn't use their nutrionist. That is how I found this forum. Thanks

Ok seriously...your surgeon will NOT tell you what preop diet he wants you on (and it IS up to the surgeon, not the nutritionist) because you didn't use the nutritionist he recommends? Am I understanding that correctly?

If I am, then I say change surgeons, because frankly that's assinine.

Otherwise, i'd call the nutritionist I DID see and ask exactly what you're supposed to do.

[gr8fulmaria 0]

Thanks. I have found that some people are helpful, others I think have nothing better to do.:frown:

[gr8fulmaria 0]

Ok seriously...your surgeon will NOT tell you what preop diet he wants you on (and it IS up to the surgeon, not the nutritionist) because you didn't use the nutritionist he recommends? Am I understanding that correctly?

If I am, then I say change surgeons, because frankly that's assinine.

Otherwise, i'd call the nutritionist I DID see and ask exactly what you're supposed to do.

First of all I don't think the surgeon will take a call from a me about diet, they have a nutritionist that you can call, she will not give me the paperwork that the others have because I didn't make an appointment with her. I said at the meeting we had on tue, thats because its all about the money, she said no.....she didn't feel comfortable giving out that info if you haven't seen her. ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY~!~ So you see, it really doesn't have anything to do with the surgeon. If you disagree, thats fine, you are entitled

[RestlessMonkey 7]

If I sounded like I'm attacking you I truly apologize. The preop diet is (usually) to shrink the liver so the surgeon can place the band properly. My surgeon gave mine to me, not the nutritionist. She was all about post op, post band stuff. Since the preop diet is (usually) for the surgeon's (and the patient's) benefit, the surgeon should be able to tell you what s/he wants. And you ARE paying him! So to withhold that info seems, as I said, assinine. Nothing to do with you or paying the nutritionist he likes; it just seems petty of him not to tell you what to do to optimize your chances at a smooth surgery.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I had a three week preop diet. That won't help you any.

[gr8fulmaria 0]

Thanks monkey, it did fell like I was being yelled at by my mother. My Dr. has been extremly thorough I must say. That is why he has the psyc and nutrition as part of his team. They have all been highly trained in this field and they have been a team for many years. The reason I started this thread is to get as much information about pre-op from as many people that are willing to share as posible. You don't really think that I would have put this surgery off to find another surgeon do you? I see that you couldn't have your first scheduled surgery due to the size of your liver. I want no problems or compications, so I will follow the suggestions of people's experience with their pre-op diets and hope for the best. thanks for your words.