Well Happy New year everyone. I went in for my lapband surgery on Monday December 31, 2007 and here I am home on Tuesday January 01, 2008 ... who would have thought??? Not me. My surgeon told me that I would be staying 2-3 nights and his nurse told me that she could not even give me a time frame (because of my other stomach issues.) When I got to the hospital yesterday my doctor said that I would probably be home today and I was not really believing him, but here I am ... and couldnt be happier. I have never been in and out so fast. I am sore and I have discomfort (well I have pain in my chest and it hurts when I breath. I told the doctor and they did an EKG and a chest x-ray and everything was ok,) but other than that I have not taken any pain medication. I am really surprised. I am thinking this is a good sign as what I have to look forward to as my future path to success.

I do have some questions, Jiffypop and who ever may have the answers and I am sure they are in the "just for lapbanders" or have already been answers but if anyone has a quick response. I have been reading my discharge paperwork and looking through my binder. I was having broth and jello and tea in the hospital and sent home on that diet and I recall the nutritionist telling me that the first week is all about liquids but making sure I get my protein in. But then I hear that I can have anything that can get through a straw. Well cream soups (made with skim milk and without chicken pieces or muchroom pieces ect.) and the milky protein drinks and liquid yogurt drinks can fit through a straw can fit through a straw is that ok? They were not giving me anyof that in the hospital and did not up me to that in the hospital and in the paperwork that I recieved in the classes I had to take creamed soups and yogurt were in the second week .... I am confused???? But I know the protein is the key to feeling really good right now and the healing so can I drink those right now???

Congrats on entering Bandland

As for your diet, each doctor is different, my doctor and nutritionist did not have the same guidelines, so IMHO, stick with what your doctor tells you.

This is what I had to follow:

Week 1 and 2: Clear liquids
Week 3: Thicker liquids (no pieces)
Week 4: Mushies
Week 5: Regular Food

I would stick to the clears the first week but again, call your doctor to make sure thats what he wants. They do make a clear protein drink...can't remember the name.... Jiffy do you remember? Isopure????

I've heard this so many times where the doc's / classes / nutritionist don't go by the same guidelines.... call your doc

As for the chest pain aka gas.... WALK WALK WALK as much as you can but don't over exert yourself. Just get up every 15 minutes or so and walk around the house. Sleep in a recliner...that helped me so much. Mostly do not exercise until your doctor says you can (prob at 6 weeks) last thing you want to do is rip anything inside.

Going gentle and healing is the most important thing you can do for yourself right now... Weight loss will come...don't you worry.

This thread should help... http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85115

what leenie said - and my two cents is to NOT PUSH IT right now. those cream soups often are thickened with flour, not with milk, so they have lots more carbs than you might think.

many people liked isopure - but not me! it coated my tongue and made me feel like i'd swallowed a jellyfish!!

but you can probably use a protein drink that mixes into milk.

astonishing that you're back!!!!! soooo glad it went well - please PLEASE keep us posted!!!!!

my Nutritionist gave me samples of Beneprotein...mixs clearish in water...but call the doctor before you try anything!

How encouraging that you are doing so well! I know it's different with the Band vs RNY I'm having but still...Woohoo!

Angela

I'm so happy for you. Now comes the hard part!! LOL!! Listen to your NUT and these ladies, time and pounds will fly by. I don't know about the LB, but I'm here for moral support.

I did read the responses the next day but just did not post a reply right away. I had also put a call into my nutritionist and left a message early in the morning. She had called me back in the early afternoon and just right in time...

I was doing the liquids eating my chicken broth that my mother had so kindly made for me. I had just finished my last half bottle of the isopure (I know how many times we are told to be prepared and make sure we are stocked up ... I am a procrastinator by nature (they say I will be late to my own funeral ...which I believe is a good thing in if you ask me.) I had a bunch of the pure protein drinks but I thought they fit into the "thick" catergory because they appear to be more of a milk base to me.

By one o'clock I was kind of feeling a little nauseous. I believe it was because I was not having anything with substance. The nutritionist told me that I was to start drinking thick liquids and this up coming Monday I was to progress to mushie stuff ... baby food stuff. That seems like a pretty fast progression huh??? But I guess like everyone says everyone doctor does it different. Does it appear that it is too fast or unusual to anyone???

I know it is only Thursday the fourth day after the procedure but things are still going well and I appreciate the encouragement and moral support. It is great being able to come over here and being able to communicate with people that understand and you do not have to explain.

I will need some help with all this icon and computer stuff. I guess I have not set up my little ruler to show my progress and I surely want to be proud of that. Hey Jiffypop ... have not had a soap opera episode in a minute ... maybe because of the writer's strike huh???? ... Just kidding

And my best friend has been great, friends, and family have been great. My best friend even stayed at the hospital with me on New Year's Eve and brought in the New Year with me that meant a lot. She has been taking pictures of me and her. We are going to do a before and after scrap book together.