My husband gets LAP-BAND^® in 2 weeks - Pls Help

Thread Starter  

Hi all,

Ok here goes nothing....
I am OH SO confused about the pre and post-op diet I don't know what to do.
There is so much conflicting information out there.

His Dr said he only has to be on the liquid diet for 2 weeks after the surgery, but he says nothing about doing the "mushies" for the next weeks after before entering into solid food.
He made it sound like my husband could eat solid food 2 weeks after surgery. Is that true?

Also, my husband is only eating salads on the protein shakes for his pre-op which is killing him.
Can't he eat a little more than that?? I mean, he is going to go through hell after the surgery with what he needs to eat. Does he really need to cut it all out now?
I understand that he can't eat bread, fatty or fried foods, starchy foods or high sugar food.
But can't he eat lean chicken or pork? Vegetables? Mainly I just want to know what meat he can eat before surgery and how much (if he can)

Another thing. Because of the timing of the insurance company, my husband is having the surgery done 2 weeks before we go on a trip to Canada.
Do you think he will be up for the trip? I don't plan on lugging him on hikes or anything...but can he go and relax in the room, if need be?
Also...what are some ideas on what he can eat while we are on the vacation since we will be having to eat out.

Man, this is all so scary and I must sound like an idiot...but I am clueless and surrounded by conflicting information.

Any advice would be greatly appreciate.

Thank you!
Steph
:):help:

Thread Starter  

Oh, another question. How much protein is he supposed to be getting a day? I was looking at all the comments about the IsoPure as an alternative to the shakes.
But I was wondering how many of those he would need to drink a day - they are expensive!

Hi Steph!

The best answer is always: follow your doctor's instructions. If he was given a pre-op diet of liquids for two weeks, there is a reason for it. Doing this will shrink his liver and make the surgery itself easier and safer. It's not a mindless exercise in self-deprivation. Of course people "cheat" and eat food during this time, but they're only cheating themselves when they do that. (Of course, if we all only did what was right, we'd never have been here in the first place.)

As for the post-op routine, I think your husband definitely should transition over at least a week or two through mushy and soft foods before going straight to hard solid food. It's just being cautious and I'll bet if you asked the doctor or nutritionist for more detailed information they'd agree.

Two weeks after surgery, your husband will be fine to travel. By that time, most people have pretty much fully recovered and are feeling terrific. He'll probably have already lost a few pounds and might have loads of extra energy! As far as what to eat goes, he can just go with what feels right. As I said, it's probably a good idea to take it slowly with soft foods at that point, so soups, chilis, dips, cheeses, beans, Mexican food (stuffing from burritos, for example), anything that can be mashed to a paste in the mouth is fair game. He'll know if he eats anything his body can't handle.

The general recommendation for daily amounts of protein is 70-80 grams. You may think the protein shakes are expensive, but remember he's not eating anything ELSE, so there's lots of money saved there.

__________________


~~ Alexandra
banded 8/20/03 -- Dr. Abkin, Morristown NJ
band removed 4/9/07 due to slippage REbanded 8/13/07

340 highest / 210-ish lowest / 255-ish now / 200? maybe?
5'10" -- size 28/30 then, 16/18 now, heading downward once again

Man! That Alexandra is ALWAYS right on top of things with the BEST advice there is.

MissPhnx, there is a lot of information to be learned, just from THIS site. You're doing the best thing you could by asking questions. I know from my own experience that the good people here at LBT are more than willing to answer all of them. Maybe even a few that you don't even WANT to ask....LOL Good luck to you and your DH into your new future.

__________________
My DW's stats :kiss 301/212/130;-)
Randy

Your husband should be on liquids only before surgery. No meats or solid foods. This will help with his surgery like Alexandra said "to help shrink his liver". You should have a minimum of 60 grams of protein aday according to my doctor. I also travelled to Spain 2 weeks after my surgery and I had no problem with lots of walking and site seeing. I was driving 3 days after surgery. There is absolutley no reason to be scared just stick with soups and easy on the stomach foods.

3-14-04
-110lbs goal

Thread Starter  

Thank you all for answering so quickly. Your advice did make me feel better about him traveling 2 weeks after surgery. That is what I was really scared about.
Ok, I need to write down 60-80 grams of protein a day in his journal.

The Isopure is 40 grams of protein a serving, correct?
What flavor of Isopur do you think is best to try first? And where can I buy it locally? GNC? I wonder if I can find it in Canada...lol :)
I am concerned, especially post-op, that he won't be getting enough protein. I have read that some people even have problems with the protein shakes. Will the Isopure be easier on him, assuming he has problems with the shake afterwards?

Thanks again, you guys are awesome
Steph

I haven't actually tried the Isopure, but I know it's 40g of protien per bottle, and it's clear and watery like, so he shouldn't have any trouble with it. I have seen them at GNC. But you might find them cheaper to buy in a bunch online... I haven't looked, but usually it's cheaper to buy 6 in a case than one at a time or whatever.

Something that might be easier if you are traveling is Unjury. It's a protien powder, and they make an unflavored version. Lots of people add it to things like Crystal Light, shake it up really good, and it has virtually no flavor at all. You can order it from unjury.com, and they have samples you can order, so you could have him try it before buying a large amount. Then you could put some of that into a tupperware, or even a baggie, for your trip to canada, and he can throw a scoop of that into anything he wants (even if you get chocolate or vanilla and put it into milk, it doesn't make it thick like a shake).

__________________
Mini goals: [250 REACHED] [230 (50 lbs lost) REACHED] [210 (half way) REACHED]
{195 REACHED WOOO!!!} Current Mini Goal 180 (100 lbs lost)
165 (the weight I remember most form jr. high)
140 (FINAL GOAL)

At the pre-op class yesterday they said that guys need to have between 70-80 grams of protein a day, and women are 50-60 grams a day.

__________________










Banded 5/12/06
Starting Weight 280
Current 189.75

I agree with Marimaru, if you go to www.unjury.com they have a sample package, where you can get several of the individual serving packets of the unjury. I don't mind either of the chocolate or vanilla flavors, have never tried the Strawberry ( as a kid I threw up strawberry soda....still want nothing to do with it!!!). And the packets are small, would be very easy to carry a bunch in the suitcase, and would slip into a shirt pocket to mix in a restaurant easily. They also sell unflavored, that I mix in anything I am having when my protein is falling behind for a day. I have stirred it in all kinds of stuff, from yogurt to broth. The Zero Carb IsoPure is in glass bottles, and is going to be much more difficult to transport around much. But for the time he is at home it is a really good way to get protein in. But it is best if he will drink say 1/2 a bottle in the morning and the other 1/2 in the afternoon, so he gets the benefit from all of the protein. My Dr. said if I drink it all at once I am going to eliminate it before "using" all the protein.
I am 10 days out from surgery and feel like I could travel anywhere without issue. I flew home from Mexico on day 3 and did fine, so start planning fun stuff and don't worry so much!!! Have fun!! Lucky you!!!
Kat

__________________
5'9" ***70" lost*** Dr.Aceves--Mexicali Bariatrics

LAP-BAND^® surgery 04-24-06 TT 05-20-08

PROUD Shrinkin' Violet

Thread Starter  

Thank you everyone who has replied.
Mike (my husband) has just finished his first week of the shakes and trying to limit his food intake.
I got some of the Isopure powder. It has 50g of protein a serving.
He is having a rough time because he still wants to eat a lot. I actually think it will be easier after the surgery because then he will "feel" full after eating very little. Right now he is having to control his eating by himself.
One more week and it's surgery time!

We feel much better about traveling 2 weeks after his surgery thanks to you guys. The Isopure I got is in individual serving pouches, so I won't have to take powder in a ziploc baggie across the border...don't think THAT would go over well....lol

Well, keep on truckin....as the saying goes.
I will keep you guys posted.
:)
Thanks again!!
Steph

Steph, after surgery, he'll be on liquids till his stomach "heals". My wife was on them for two weeks, post op. Then a week of "mushies". Solid foods were introduced slowly....then you get a fill and you start the liquids and mushies all over again....LOL Good luck you two.

__________________
My DW's stats :kiss 301/212/130;-)
Randy