Have you cheated Post op???

[chubbymom 0]

I know the feeling -- I keep a licorice baby on a plate near the refridgerator -- when I have a craving I lick it. But I too am only 5 days post op and feel like a bear out of hibernation. If anyone has ideas pleeeease share !!! PS -- WHere do you get those ticker lines (Shows your progress) I want one too :-)

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Wow! That was very informative! I knew it was a healing period but didn't know what the really big deal was if solids were introed too soon!

I think the doctors or their staff should have THIS info in their material.

Often if people really understand the WHY about something, it makes it easier for the mind and body to be in sync with the instructions!

Seriously, that's really important detail! Thanks for sharing it!

I agree! I wasn't told this by my doc but by my RN husband (husband and Rn for 25 years now!LOL) He dug out one of MY nursing school books and read me the passage to PROVE it to me so I would put the dratted can of refried Beans I was carrying around DOWN and not eat them! LOL I think docs sometimes underestimate our intelligence or maybe conversely overestimate it...they think we KNOW why we shouldn't eat. And they tell us "don't eat ahead of your post op diet or it will hurt your band/healing" and we kind of gloss over that part.

[chubbymom 0]

I have to be on clear Fluid for a whole week !! I never imagined it would be this hard 9 especially cooking for my family -- smelling the food -- serving the food -- then cleaning up the food -- I feel like my dog -- begging to lick the dishes lol

[phlphan 0]

Don't be so hard on yourself... Here is a tip for you: The folks who have had Lap Band Horror Stories are going to give you "Lap Band Horror Stories", while the folks who have been fortunate to not have any complications, are going to say "I ate Waffle Cones, French Fries and even grilled up a Double Cheeseburger"....

Just relax.

You will be fine.

Steve

"phlphan"

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Don't be so hard on yourself... Here is a tip for you: The folks who have had Lap Band Horror Stories are going to give you "Lap Band Horror Stories", while the folks who have been fortunate to not have any complications, are going to say "I ate Waffle Cones, French Fries and even grilled up a Double Cheeseburger"....

Just relax.

You will be fine.

Steve

"phlphan"

yeah, I listened to the lucky people who cheated on their preop diets and didn't have any problems....guess what. I didn't get the band the 1st time cuz I cheated on mine. The "you'll be ok" attitude is great as long as you ARE ok....but if you are that person who isn't, it pretty much sucks. Bottom line, use good sense, follow your docs instructions, and you'll be fine.

[TopTier 0]

French onion Soup (minus the melted cheese on top, of course).

What a great idea! I love French Onion Soup and never thought of this!

Thanks!

[phlphan 0]

yeah, I listened to the lucky people who cheated on their preop diets and didn't have any problems....guess what. I didn't get the band the 1st time cuz I cheated on mine. The "you'll be ok" attitude is great as long as you ARE ok....but if you are that person who isn't, it pretty much sucks. Bottom line, use good sense, follow your docs instructions, and you'll be fine.

Yes - I know... I have read your story numerous times. I appreciate the fact that you are extremely cautious and that you encourage everyone to follow their doctors orders. All I am simply saying is that relaxing and not getting worked up about EVERY LITTLE THING is probably a good thing. I appreciate you had complications, I appreciate you sharing your complications with others - I just think sometimes you may scare the ever-living shit out of some people, that's all. This does not mean I disagree with your information or the "book sense" that you bring the forum.

I do believe that some people need hard facts, while I think others need a little love and a "just relax".

Steve

"phlphan"

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I think that a doc should tell them to relax, not you or me who doesn't know the situation...that's the only diff in our viewpoint I think. I guess I'm just a tough love type and you're more kindly LOL who'd a thunk it.

Anyway yes odds are people get away with small infractions but when the odds go against you it is miserable. That's all.

[phlphan 0]

I think that a doc should tell them to relax, not you or me who doesn't know the situation...that's the only diff in our viewpoint I think. I guess I'm just a tough love type and you're more kindly LOL who'd a thunk it.

Anyway yes odds are people get away with small infractions but when the odds go against you it is miserable. That's all.

I appreciate what you are saying. But... Just like you say you feel as though, "that a doc should tell them to relax, not you or me who doesn't know the situation", all I am saying is that by making a statement like:

"This action can rip loose your sutures. Cheating on the post op diet is a major cause of band slippage"

Can scare the ever living shit out of some people who frankly do not need the ever-living crap scared out of them. I agree... let the doc tell them to relax, but also allow the doc to tell them your above statement as well. By putting yourself out there as an RN and your husband being an RN, your opinions are held in high regard (and should be). Just be careful freaking people out is all I am saying. Sometimes that can cause greater harm from people already scared crap-less then their actual actions.

I guess the answer that should be given more than any is "Check with your doctor" - agree?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Cheating on the postop diet CAN rip your sutures though. I think many docs state this in the seminar when most of us are all "band band band" and not oriented to what happens after. I'll do this...I'll say I know it can rip your sutures (if you have them, I don't think realize bands are sewn in) and it IS a major cause of slippage...that's data that I got from google and the reading I did, not my RN stuff. I really honest to God don't mean to be contentious with you; but personally I think saying "you'll probably be ok" is kind of dangerous. Like telling someone who had unprotected sex with a stranger "oh don't worry about it" if you get my drift?

I don't mean to be a harbinger of doom and am generally a fairly cheerful "question authority" type...but this isn't something to play around with. We should ALL be able to stick to a post op liquid only diet for a week or two, don't you think? I mean, I was one of the fattest people on here and you don't get that way being in control all the time, you know? If my statement scares people then maybe it should scare them a little. There will still be people who disregard it and do what they want and that's totally fine with me. I don't care, honestly. I just think the info should be reiterated when we are in a position to listen....when we have the band and are looking around thinking Hmmm, what now?

We can agree to disagree on this if you're game. I'll try to be a "light" voice of doom LOL because I don't want to petrify anyone but I don't want to pretty it up or lie, either. Cheating post op IS a major cause of slippage. I'm not comfortable being quiet when I see someone at risk. Even if they don't like me, the point is for them to be safe.

I'll make sure I put "check with your doc" anytime it's appropriate, too. I TRY to do that because I'm very aware esp as a new RN that I am NOT a doc and don't want to imply I know more than I do...so I'll be more diligent that I put that in there.

Edited June 24, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[RestlessMonkey 7]

One thing though I just thought of....

the nursing text I posted about somewhere on here when my husband forced me to put my refried Beans away...DID discuss peristalsis but did NOT address the band ripping lose. If I implied that I was 100% wrong. If I use that anecdote again I'll be clear...the text covered digestion, did NOT discuss the band. Thanks for calling me on that. I need to make sure I'm very clear. :thumbup:

[isaviolinist 11]

I have to agree with RestlessMonkey. I'm sure there are some people who can 'just relax' and be fine, but if your physician gives you a pre-operative instruction, what is the justification for not following it? Coming from a family of physicians, I have learned that in most cases relating to a surgical procedure it is pretty much unacceptable to "just relax" based on the premise that "you'll be fine". Follow the instructions given by your medical provider. Afterall, they did spend 10+ years in school learning the ins and outs of surgery. They're not handing out photocopies of pre-op diets because they think its fun to use the copy machine.

[phlphan 0]

Cheating on the postop diet CAN rip your sutures though. I think many docs state this in the seminar when most of us are all "band band band" and not oriented to what happens after. I'll do this...I'll say I know it can rip your sutures (if you have them, I don't think realize bands are sewn in) and it IS a major cause of slippage...that's data that I got from google and the reading I did, not my RN stuff. I really honest to God don't mean to be contentious with you; but personally I think saying "you'll probably be ok" is kind of dangerous. Like telling someone who had unprotected sex with a stranger "oh don't worry about it" if you get my drift?

I don't mean to be a harbinger of doom and am generally a fairly cheerful "question authority" type...but this isn't something to play around with. We should ALL be able to stick to a post op liquid only diet for a week or two, don't you think? I mean, I was one of the fattest people on here and you don't get that way being in control all the time, you know? If my statement scares people then maybe it should scare them a little. There will still be people who disregard it and do what they want and that's totally fine with me. I don't care, honestly. I just think the info should be reiterated when we are in a position to listen....when we have the band and are looking around thinking Hmmm, what now?

We can agree to disagree on this if you're game. I'll try to be a "light" voice of doom LOL because I don't want to petrify anyone but I don't want to pretty it up or lie, either. Cheating post op IS a major cause of slippage. I'm not comfortable being quiet when I see someone at risk. Even if they don't like me, the point is for them to be safe.

I'll make sure I put "check with your doc" anytime it's appropriate, too. I TRY to do that because I'm very aware esp as a new RN that I am NOT a doc and don't want to imply I know more than I do...so I'll be more diligent that I put that in there.

Ok.. Just a couple things.. then I think I will be able to let it go and "agree to disagree"

1. Straining to use the toilet CAN cause me to have a stroke - It doesn't mean it will. Trust me - I know....

2. I appreciate your google searches and the reading you do/did.

3. I don't think you are being contentious at all, I think you are defending your opinion and I appreciate that.

4. A lot of people come here for reassurance... she licked a friggin' ketchup packet....I think she'll be okay.... its not like she ate a human because they looked tasty....

5. You are really not trying to make an comparison out of thinking about cheating on your post-op diet and having unprotected sex with someone you don't know are you?

6. You are not fat, you are skinny deprived.

Going to bed now - I will agree to disagree. I just want to be clear that I am a firm believer in common sense. If you choose to eat a cookie, eat a small cookie and chew that damn thing...... Don't come on here and say "Gosh.. I ate fourteen Doubletree chocolate Chip cookies" and then in the next sentence complain because:

A. It got stuck OR B. You haven't lost weight in 6 months.

But I also don't think that is someone says "I ate a cookie" we should freak out and throw the Physician's Desk Reference at them.

I appreciate what you bring and like reading your posts - we just have two contrasting styles.

[phlphan 0]

One thing though I just thought of....

the nursing text I posted about somewhere on here when my husband forced me to put my refried Beans away...DID discuss peristalsis but did NOT address the band ripping lose. If I implied that I was 100% wrong. If I use that anecdote again I'll be clear...the text covered digestion, did NOT discuss the band. Thanks for calling me on that. I need to make sure I'm very clear. :thumbup:

Hey now....... Don't be hating on the refried Beans. I live on those - with a little bit of sour cream and salsa..... oh my sweet goodness..... :thumbup: Makes me want to be Mexican.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

sleep well! And honestly its been so long since I had unprotected sex with a stranger (I was born in 1955 realize) OR had a cookie that I think I get them confused! :thumbup:

It was nice disagreeing with you! :thumbup: