Some ?? about the day before surgery

[Maryann]

Hi Everyone~ Just a question about the day before surg. My insrtuctions say only clear liquids - not even my beloved protein shakes!! Oh no it will be a long day. Did any one else have this restriction? At least now I can have one meal a day. I just know that in my mind I'll want to fill my face so badly!!! Help me get through this my bandster family.

["Just Jess"]

yes!!! we've all been there and had to do this (and yes, it sucks) but quite honestly, my nerves were SOOOOOOOOOO high that i wasn't really focused on the hunger - but on the changes my body was going to undertake in less than 24 hours!!! :)

remember the #1 rule - CLEAR liquids mean CLEAR - so if you can't see through it, you can't have it!)

here are some tips:

suck on sugar free popsicles ALL DAY!
drink hot tea
heat up some chicken or beef broth
love your sugar free jello!
if you're getting tired of water, make some crystal light!
annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd this is your LAST CHANGE to enjoy some carbonated beverages!!! so get yourself some diet gingerale or sprite!!!!!! (just make sure it's clear!)

OH! and if you have not gotten any yet - go to GNC and buy yourself some "isopure" it is a zero carb protein drink that i had to sip ALL day before and after surgery (so essentially, get enough to have 4 oz. every 30 minutes for 48 hours!!!!!) it's so tasty and you'd be surprised at how filling it actually is! my doc's plan was 24 hours of clear liquids before surgery - but nothing (not even water) after midnight bc my surgery was so early in the morning. then i had to continue clear liquids for 48 hours POST-OP.... so stock up!!!!! it wasn't until day 3 post-op taht i could add milk-based products like protein shakes and pudding!!!!

this day will go by so quickly, you won't even believe it. and focus on the postitives: YOU ARE HAVING LAP BAND SURGERY TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! chances are, you've worked REALLY hard and waited REALLY long for this moment. journal your thoughts and feelings --- talk with loved ones. ENJOY yourself!!! annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd - a little trick i learned on here to do the evening before surgery to REDUCE the gas pains you may have post-op tomorrow: take an enima tonight. not much will come out... mostly all the liquids you've injested all day. but i did not have the horrible gas pains people talk of in their sides or shoulders. so it could be coinsodence --- or it could have been that enima!!!!! so try it!

and don't forget to get everything ready that you'll need/want for tomorrow.................... pillow for the car ride home, gas-X chewables, liquid tylenol, prescription pain meds from your surgeon (if he gave you the script before hand), make some jello for tomorrow, prepare everything at easy reach if someone won't be home with you (tea bags, broth, pans, etc.. etc.. ) take a book and/or some magazines with you for post-op (i had to wait FOREVER before my doc would release me... and i woke up quickly in post-op ----- so i was SO glad to have brought several magazines with me!)

if you have any other questions, feel free!!! we're here for you! GOOD LUCK!!!!!! we'll be waiting to hear how it all went as soon as you're up to getting on the computer!

:love: much love, jess

[spunky409]

Hello :)
I too was not too worried about food the day before. I had a lot to do and was nervous. My directions allowed me to eat "light" the day before and drink clear liquids 12 hours before and nothing 6 hours before surgery. I think it is important to get cleared out before your surgery and can not stress enough to not let yourself get constipated after surgery. Pain medicine and surgery can really slow ya down. Jameza has great tips for clear liquids. Hope your presurgery flies by. Take care

[Maryann]

Hi Jess and Spunky409 - Thanks so much for the advice. Much needed and appreciated!! Jess, I think I'm going to print out your response for reference. You guys are the best.
Love,
Maryann

["Just Jess"]

you're very welcome --- how is your day going thus far? easier than you thought, hopefully?

best of luck!!!!!!!!