Whoa,,,, Date got moved up

When I called to schedule surgery (yesterday),,, they were working on a month out. I went ahead and scheduled for the 30th, HOWEVER, I told them I desperatly wanted earlier, so I asked to be put on a waiting list...  I get a call today and guess what!?! I get banded in 13 days!  Holy cow! I  am a little freaked out now. Wow.  So, what else do I need to do to prepare? What foods or non foods should I stock up on?  Thanks all!!!

Good am Sheri, CONGRATS on your surgery date! I'm not a bandsters however there are a few folks who are. Hopefully you'll be able to get some great tips from them! All best!

Congrats Sheri!  Your day will be here soon.  I would check with your surgeon to find out what kind of diet you will be on when you get home & pick up a couple of things.  Hopefully the other banders will pop on for some added info.

Yeah Sherri!!!  That is terrific news.  Don't freak out...you don't have time...lol.  Ok, let's see if I remember what I did to prepare.  First I bought some chicken, made some roast beef, bought some tilapia, a couple pork chops, refried beans, green beans, peas, bananas, peaches, pears.  I cooked the chicken in chicken broth then pureed it in my blender.  Did the same with the tilapia & pureed it with some chicke broth.  Did the same thing with the roast & the chops, only used beef broth of course.  Also used beef broth in the beans & pureed that too.  Slice up the bananas & puree them, same with the peaches, & then the pears.  Get you some ice cube trays...I got one for beef & pork, one for chicken & fish, one for veggies & one for fruits.  Each cube equals a tablespoon. Fill the trays with your purees, freeze them, & then remove them from the trays, wrap in waxed paper or saran wrap, individually, & store in freezer bags.  This way you will have purees ready for when your doc says you can start them.  Initially you will be on liquids.  Stock up on sugar-free popcycles, sugar-free jello, low-sodium beef broth, low-sodium chicken broth.  Personally I can't stand plain water...just doesn't quench my thirst.  So I added a tube of Propel to my bottled water, or dran****d tea.  Plan out your meals so that you aren't scrambling at the last minute.  Also helps your family/friends...whomever is gonna be helping you out that first week.  Be prepared for mood swings...don't be surprised if you're weepy one minute, ticked off the next, & giddy after that.  As you lose weight, your hormones are gonna get all whacky cuz fat cells are tied to your hormones.  Don't forget the 30-30-30 rule...no liquids 30 minutes prior to a meal, take 30 mintues to EAT your meal with no liquids, & then wait 30 minutes AFTER your meal before you begin drinking again.  Then sip, sip, SIP!  Oh, almost forgot...protein first, then veggie & if you still have room, fruit.  I rarely got to the fruit the first month.  Take your multi-vitamin, calcium chew & whatever other supplements your doctor orders.  Another important thing is to walk.  That will help dissipate the after affects of anesthesia.  I didn't really experience much pain, but I did feel bloated & a bit gassy.  Walking helps to rid your body of that linger anesthesia & work the gas out.  NO CARBONATED BEVERAGES!!!  Bubbles in your pouch is NOT a good thing.  Use a baby spoon to eat with & take tiney bites, then chew, chew, chew.  As my hubby put it...you're going from a pipe to a straw so keep that in mind cuz you don't want to get anything stuck.  It's painful & will make you puke!  IF you do get something stuck, make sure you have Papaya enzymes on hand...they're chewable, tasty pills that will help to break down the foods & alleviate the blockage.  You can get them pretty much anywhere...I get mine from Walmart or Martin's or Walgreens.  Pretty much any drug store & probably any grocery store will have them.  Ok, liquids for the first week for sure, maybe 2, depending on what your doc says; after that purees for 2 to 3 weeks, then you can start to add things like softly scrambled egg, shredded cheese, cottage cheese, non-pureed refried beans, etc.  Soft, squishy things.  Don't even try bread, rice, or pasta...anything that will absorb liquids will double or even triple in size & that will either get stuck or make you puke or fill up your pouch quickly not allowing you to get in the RIGHT foods such as your protein.  I can't comment on the protein shakes because I just never found one that I could gag down.  Our bypass friends can make recommendations on this one.  Within a couple of months you will be eating "normally" again, but now it becomes making the right choices & taking in the proper amounts.  It's very easy for us lapbanders to sabotage ourselves...we don't have the "dumping" issues that bypassers have, as well we don't have the malabsorption that they have.  But the info I've given so far is suffice to get you through the first couple of months.  You won't get your first fill until week 6 but you won't really need it cuz just having the band placed is enough restriction initially.  Your body needs the time to adjust to having a foreign object in it.  Begin exercising when your doc says it's ok.  Walking is always good, but eventually you're gonna have to up the bar.  Weight loss will seem quick at first...I lost 15 lbs in the first month...but then it slows down so don't get discouraged.  We aren't supposed to lose as quickly as our bypass friends so learn to be patient.  Keep your appts with your doc, call them anytime you have any questions.  That's what they get paid the big bucks for!  I hope I've not left anything out.  I mainly wanted to get you through the first month, but always check with your wl team...they have this down to a fine science.  Good luck on your journey & feel free to ask questions either to me or to the group at large anytime.  That's what we're here for.  I'm sooooo happy for you!!!!

great news!  And I love your signature quote!  :)