Legacy Good Sam pre op requirements.

I suppose I could just call the clinic and ask them, but thought I would ask the Oregon Group my question.  What are the pre op requirements that Legacy Good Sam requires for Lapband surgery?   I have met with the dietician, physical therapist, nurse practioner and psych lady.  Have a few things they wanted me to do, like incorporating more veggies and fiber into my diet, and begin exercising more..   Which I am doing..... I was wondering if they require the pre op liquid diet that I have been reading about.  Just curious, need to get myself in the right frame of mind.   Thanks so much!

I'm going through the same processes with Legacy as an RNY'er.  I think the process is the same regardless of what surgery you're having... its just 'their' way of crossing all the T's and dotting the I's.  Had my bloodwork, measurments, psych test on Aug 8th... Met with my psych, dietician, physical therapist and physician on Aug 14th.  Had my sleep study last night (horrible process for me).  I was cleared by the physician and psych (with meds I got yesterday from my PCP), the dietician wants me to lose 20lbs before she clears me and physical therapist wants me to start exercising regularly.  Both need me to log everything I do and eat until their follow-ups on the 20th of september.  I got an account on FitDay.com and have been logging all my food intake on their.  Under the dietician's instructions, she wants me to stay around 2000 calories a day.  If I do this, I will have lost the 20lbs needed for approval by my follow up date.  Fitday.com can also be used for logging exercise for the physical therapist.  I havn't asked about a pre-op liquid diet but if they do, its probably only for 2 weeks and to be done just 2 weeks before your surgery date... not starting now. One thing that the dietician should have given you or told you, is you need to test some protein powders to get used to.  Make sure you've done this because it's going to be your meal tickets during your post-op liquid/pureed stage to meet your protein requirements.  I bought AnyWhey protein powder from www.bariatricadvantage.com It's a tasteless wrey protein.  I've tried it in drinks, tuna, canned chicken... it's kind of pasty but it's paletteable.  I made a chocolate shake with it... 8oz of water, 2 ice cubes, 1 scoop of anywhey powder and 2 tablespoons of No Sugar Added Nesquik powder and 2 packets of splenda.  Use a hand blender or regular blender... super yummy if you like chocolate... All together it is 105 calories, 1g fat, 8g carbs, 18g protein... two of those a day for your snack meals and you're set for a large portion of your protein intake.  I also bought some of the profect protein bullets from bariatricadvantage.  They're 25g of protein and fruity flavored.  I haven't tried them yet because i'm saving them for post-op.  After the follow-ups on the 20th, assuming I've continued to exercise and I lost the 20lbs that were required for approval, my paperwork will get submitted to Dr. Patterson and to the insurance company.... then it's a matter of waiting for a decision from the insurance and to have my consult with the surgeon.... then wait for the surgery date. Good luck.

I remember you now....yes, we are pretty much on the same path at Legacy.  I go back on Sept 6, to see how I am doing on my requirements.  I don't have to lose my 14 pounds by my appointment, but by surgery.  I know I can do this.  I was also told to test the protein powders, but for some reason I am very hesitant.  Don't know why, but I am.  I must be fearful that they will be horrible......trying new foods is not one of my strengths.   I did my sleep study locally, and it wasn't too bad.  Luckily, they suggested that I take a sleeping pill that night, which I did.  Sure did make sleeping on my back a lot easier.  Turns out, I am being oxygen deprived, and they want me to come back for more testing.  I am not thrilled, but will do it.  But, I will talk with Legacy at my next appointment to make sure I have to get it under control before the surgery, as it is my understanding, that with the weight loss, most of the time, the sleep apnea disappears and I would like to skip the machine that they are talking about.   I think we are on the same course for our journey and it is nice to have someone to compare "notes" with. 

Well if you've tried most diets out there, i've bet you've tried slim-fast or something similar.  If you can handle those drinks... then you can handle protein powder.  Because that's what slimfast is basically... a protein shake with added sugar and a bunch of multi-nutrients.  I added the protein powder to a cup of chili tonight... tasted like chili.  Couldn't really tell there was something else in it.  Yes, it made it thicker, but I added about a tablespoon of water to compensate... tasted fine.  Just remember, protein powders aren't forever... there are some people that still drink them years after post-op.  Others start eating regular foods and get their protein from meats... either way is fine.  Jus the liquid stuff will be required after surgery... so even though its a 'new food' just remember you won't have to drink the stuff forever. Sorry you have to go to your sleep study again for followup.  I was pretty much immediately diagnosed with sleep apnea so they woke me up at 2am and put me on the machine and I had issues with it the rest of the night.  But atleast I don't have to go back in because I triggered enough events in my first 4 hours to make the diagnosis.   Yeah, I look forward to seeing your progress too.  I keep my profile updated all the time if you ever need to know what's currently happening on my side.

I went to Dr. Patterson for RNY on 1/22/07. I went through all the hoops and requirements. Sounds like you are well on your way too. Dr. P is wonderful - professional, brilliant, with energy to spare and lively personality. I count myself lucky to have found her and the clinic. The follow up is great even though I travel from the Seattle area. As a footnote, I'm 11 pounds from goal and have gone from a size 22 to a 10. Truly, I feel blessed to have had this surgery and have hope for a longer, healthier life. Good luck to all of you on your journeys.
Rudie2

I was with Dr Jan and I had to so a 3 day pre op liquid diet. Different drs have different requirements. The first day was hard but the 2nd and 3rd days were  much easier

In 2005 (I know rules can change) I didn't need to do liquids pre-op at all.  I only needed to do clears the day before surgery.  Or was that liquids...  No, I think it really was clears to keep me from getting any of that red dye in there that might get confused for blood. And no enema, either!  I love my band, lol! Lori

Thanks Lori

I am really looking forward to my band, time is moving slowly, but at least I am moving forward.  I am having a difficult time with the changes in food the dietician wanted me to do.  I am making progress on that too, but is sure is hard to change life long eating habits.  I am getting used to not drinking liquids with my meals, that is one of the easier things for me to do. I would usually wait until the end of my meal then drink the entire glass of milk,or whatever it was I was drinking.  Wish the rest of it were easier. Getting more protein, fruits and veggies in.....and then more fiber.....all for a good reason.......sure am missing my sweets....but try not to think about them. I did discover sugar free popsicles.....and that is helping.......it guess it is just mind over matter....or at least I am hoping it is.  ;)

You know, with good restriction, I find I'm not needing, wanting or missing the sugar quite as much.  Maybe its because I know I can always have a small piece of chocolate or partake in my niece's birthday cake so I don't feel deprived.  I feel much more in control of my sweet tooth than I have before. One thing that I really noticed was, that if I didn't introduce something "bad" back into my diet, I no longer missed it.  I think it started with the anesthesia post-op and, combined with the restrictive diet post-op, if I didn't add something back in, I haven't really missed it. I can't even do breads much any more (used to do the sub sandwich thing a lot as a healthy eating out dinner) and, surprisingly, I really don't miss it.  Hopefully you'll experience that, too. About the fiber -- you'll definitely want to make sure fiber is a priority post-op, too.  I've had a few bouts of constipation (I know, TMI, but its true).  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.  Obviously I've had it pre-band but its just different.  Maybe its a consistency thing.  I've made fiber and water my best friends.  It hasn't been bad enough to need to supplement fiber but there's been a few times I've looked at the benefiber as I've gone through the stores (so many contain psyllium but that expands with water so that's a no-go for us; we'd be plugged at the to and the bottom). As you eat healthier, I'm sure you'll start to get used to it and do better with food ideas and nutrition and such.  My husband is surely preserved at this point.  He's so full of preservatives I don't think I'll need the formaldehyde when he dies... I don't know if you like hot dogs or not but I've found that the soy hot dogs (I've not even really noticed too much of a difference between the brands), when doctored up with healthy condiments (like mustard, onions and a small touch of relish and ketchup) tastes remarkably like the real thing and is so much healthier.  Still pretty high on the sodium count. Playing with your food -- in a healthy way -- can be fun.  And, yes, mind over matter is really where its at!  You need to control the food, not let it control you.  Oh, and I've been known to chow on a suzie-q now and then I just don't eat them as much or nearly as often as before. I've followed your posts.  I'm confident you can do this!