My DH's Pre-op Appt

Well, I can't say Dr. Pender has the best bedside manner.  We were told this.  When we met him before he seemed a LOT nicer.

Anyway, he did agree to let my DH do EAS for his pre-op 2 weeks of liguids, instead of Opti-fast.  He INSISTS on him doing the Optisource post-op.  The post-op 2 week diet consists of:  two ounces of Optisource 4 times a day.  1 to 2 oz of non-sweetened, non-carbonated liquid every hour, and sip water all day.

Now, I don't know what the nutritional value of the Optisource is, but 8 oz a day for 2 weeks seems like VERY LITTLE to me!!  After 2 weeks, he goes right to 6 oz of soft foods A DAY!!!  Again, 6 oz of food a day seems awfully low!

He impressed upon us that their conditions are non-negotiable.  We do it his way, or he won't operate.  Well, my DH signed the agreement form, but...

He will have to stay overnight.  I will stay up there at a hotel the night of surgery.  I fall asleep if I drive long stretches of road alone at night.  I'm OK if someone is with me, but I'd rather just stay in Greenville.

BTW, he has only done 50 bands!  He MUCH prefers RNY.  That didn't bother my DH, but I'm a little worried.  Medicare will only pay at a COE, and this is where our PCP sent us.  My DH is confident everything is going to go swimmingly.  I am determined to be as positive.  Medicare does pay for 12 adjustments, and it will be the Realize band.  His official weight was 331.

First I am shocked that he wants him to do optisource. Optisource is does not normally have enough nutrients for a person to have if they are doing all liquids. Although they advertise it for weight loss patients.

1 container is 8 oz.. Servings are based on 4 oz. So there is 12 grams of protien in 4 oz for total amount/day is 12 grams of protien. 100 calories/serving. 6 carbs/serving. 

After the swelling goes down your husband is going to be starved. The other thing is the realize band goes in empty. Then after 1 month check up they put saline in. I am getting the realize and I asked about this. When they put in the lap band it has saline in it already or they put the saline in when they place the band.  Realize is empty.

I did call or go online and requested a book about the realize band. This helped explain it. I already had one on the lap band.

You could check to see if they have a hospitality house for you to stay the night of the surgery. That way you would not have to drive too far. Ask about that.

Tamara

Well, he will be drinking ONLY 8 oz of the Optisource a DAY for 2 weeks post-op.  I can't see how that can sustain him.  He is diabetic, for one thing, and his numbers will plummet!  He is gonna do the 800 cal a day post op, like he is gonna do pre-op.

I have the Inamed lapband, and mine went in empty, and, yes, I was starving after the first week, when the swelling went down.  I got my first fill at 4 weeks.  Dr. Pender gives the first fill at 6 weeks.  We know he will be struggling until he gets some restriction.

The hospital doesn't have a hospitality house, but they gave me a discount coupon and a list of local hotels that honor it.  One is right across the street from the hotel.  I know my DH will be sleeping a LOT so he won't expect me to be there and hold his hand.  Although, when I had mine, I was insisting on getting up to walk as much as they would allow.  They were surprised at how much I WANTED to get up and move.  I think that is one of the reasons I had no gas pains! 

Like I said, Ray is stoked and determined that everything is gonna go smoothly.  He will follow the liquids, to mushies, to food guidelines, as far as the timeline goes.  But he will be getting a minimum of 800 cal a day!

I will have him check into the Realize site and print out the information.  Thanks

Carolyn~
I think all that Optisource crap is one big $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the doctors. My surgeon doesnt require it and guess what? I lost my weight just like people that were forced to spend their hard earned dollars on that crap! Hubby stayed at the hotel across the street from The Pitt Palace and it was convenient to be able to be so close. Hubby would want me to remind you to take money with you as the cafeteria at Pitt does not accept debit cards I hope your hubby survives on the diet and best of luck to him!! Hang in there!!!

Darcie

Reading through all of this just makes me groan.  You and I are both frugal at heart and I just get so doggone's aggervated at anything that resembles commercialism/consumerism.   

Really glad you have been there, done that and have so much first-hand knowledge to help your hubby with once he is post-op.  I am confident that everything will go swimmingly as well...especially with you there to help your hubby along! 

Good luck and best wishes! 

Dr. Pender works with my surgeon, Dr. Chapman, at the Brody School of Medicine.  Between the two of them Dr. Chapman is considered the Lap band guy and Dr. Pender is the RNY guy, although both surgeons do both surgeries.  I haven't met Dr. Pender.  I don't even know what he looks like, but I really like Dr. Chapman.  We've even had a few laughs together, although he's mostly business when he comes in for a consult.  He told me that Optisource doesn't taste very good and when I told him about the shakes I'd been making for myself that helped me lose 28 lbs before my liquid PRE-op diet, he said I was welcome to make my own shakes for my post-op diet.  I used Unjury protein powder, Lactaid milk and Greek yogurt.  Plus I took chewable vitamin supplements.  POST-op your husband can have 2 oz. of protein shake FOUR times a day.  That's 8 oz. a day, and yes, that's not much, but it's only for 2 weeks.  For me it was 10 days, since my first follow-up was scheduled right before Christmas.  If you're uncomfortable with Dr. Pender and you don't like his rigid attitude, request his partner, Dr. Chapman.  Dr. Chapman is also the head of the bariatric dept.  His specialty is laparoscopic surgery.  I found out that Dr. Chapman actually taught the entire bariatic team at the Brody School of Medicine how to do bariatric surgery laparoscopically, then later became head of the whole department.  He knows his stuff!  I felt completely at ease in his hands.  MY husband just started his own process toward RNY and has his first consult with Dr. Chapman next month.

Our PCP had originally recommended Dr. Chapman to my DH.  But he was gone for an extended period of time when we began this, so we got Dr. Pender.  If my DH is OK with him, I will be, too.

Some people think going to Tijuana for my band was crazy, but it worked for me.  So to each his own, I guess.

Thanks, Darcie.  I am notorious for never having more than a couple of $ cash!  My DH usually has cash, but he will be otherwise occupied!  I'll be sure to hit the ATM before I go.