MaggieMay702

That's good news! So to clarify, your doctor wants you only to be in the Water for relaxation and not exerting yourself cardio wise, right?

Hello! I begin my liver reduction diet on Sunday per my own initiative after discussing it on here with all of you...my surgeon isn't requiring it. I am so excited! However, because I will be on liquids for virtually 4 weeks beginning Sunday, I want to know how you all "change it up" with your shakes. Currently I have vanilla, unflavored, and some chocolate Protein powder. I need to get more chocolate. I would like to get some suggestions from all of you on how to keep variety in my liquid diet. Here's my plan so far: -Add peppermint extract to chocolate shake -Add unflavored powder to broth -1 sugar free Jello per day -Add cinnamon and stevia to vanilla shake Any other good suggestions while in the liquid phase?? Thank you in advance! Good work to all of you!!!!

I'm on my way to the store to buy baby food for my puréed phase. Does anyone know of or have any suggestions?? I have coupons for beech nut...super tight budget here! Thanks!

I only have a blender...will that do? I don't have a food processor or anything like that. Wasn't sure if it would work.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! I give you so much credit. Those carbs are tough to give up!!

I've gone once and loved it! Need to go back!! I need to ask my surgeon when we are allowed to go back after surgery. Hmmm

Welcome!

I started my pre-op diet three days ago and it's hard to stay off the scale but I definitely think it's a good idea to stay off. If you follow What you're supposed to be doing, you'll be ok! What are your requirements?

I had to do a physician supervised diet for six months prior as well. You can do this! I was able to lose 10 lbs, my requirement was 15, but was still approved. Here are some tips: -log your food! Myfitnesspal is a great tool. The more support you have the better, you're not alone. My username is westcomk -give Protein shakes a whirl, maybe one a day to get used to them for your pre-op and/or post-op protocol. I've bought them from the nutrisystem website, canisters off of amazon, and at Walmart. You can also buy extracts in the baking aisle to help switch it up. I had a coconut banana chocolate shake last night and a peppermint chocolate this morning (I'm on my pre-op 10 day/500 cals a day liquid diet right now) -find the exercise that you enjoy. I'm horrible at following this advice. I HATE exercising. I find it discouraging, annoying and pretty much all things negative. But I recently joined a gym with a pool and found I love swimming. Any exercise will help! -filling meals: protein, protein, protein! I liked to buy low carb tortilla shells and pack small tupperware containers of refried Beans, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, salsa, taco sauce, and I would make ground turkey with taco seasoning. Very filling! I'm not sure what you like so that's just one idea. But another tool to use is Pinterest, it has a TON of recipes and good fitness/health ideas -practice chewing and slowing down your meals! It'll help with the prep! -BE KIND TO YOURSELF! If you fall off of the wagon, get back up. We are all human, but hold yourself accountable. You can do this -Water, water, water! It'll curb your appetite. Even if you pee 50 times a day (drove me crazy at first) -enjoy the journey and don't look back! You're brave for taking this step and we are all here to support you. Maggie

Are you on myfitnesspal? It's another great way to track your calories and progress while on this journey. My username on there is westcomk. I am on day 3 of liquid diet and it's definitely a challenge, but this forum has been such a blessing! You can do this! I know I'm my own worst enemy and that's why I'm most afraid of failure. But through determination and patience, we can all get through this together let us know how your first day goes!

Going to sleep thinking today was easier than yesterday. Praying I don't dream of food/have nightmares of failing again tonight. This is such a mind game! Lol. Pre-op diet day 3: here we go.

I just got word yesterday that I was approved for my surgery for July 3rd; I couldn't be more thrilled! I am so excited. I had to transfer to a different surgeon, though, because after months and months of being promised that my surgeon's office would pull through, they weren't able to be covered under my insurance. I'm okay with this because I "clicked" better with my new surgeon...she didn't pressure me to pursue a different procedure. My first surgeon told me I would not be successful with Lapband because as a woman with my BMI, I have too much weight to lose and my "hormones would be working against me." I understand his medical and professional expertise; however, I found the way in which he approached it was very rude and discouraging. I chose Lapband because it is the least invasive and two women in my family have had severe complications to gastric bypass--a concern which he ignored when I voiced it. It was a very frustrating process! Anyway...all of my pre-op testing is complete and now I wait for July 3rd! However, my new surgeon doesn't require a liver reduction diet! I was shocked because the prior surgeon required a 12 day pre-op liquid liver reduction diet. I've been preparing for this and purchased the materials, so I'm fairly certain I'm going to continue with it. What are your thoughts everyone? My new surgeon is very credible, I trust her and I understand every surgeon is different. I'm also looking forward to the liver reduction diet to help start with curbing my food addiction. This surgery and the post-op diet are my tools to help me win this battle. Thank you for reading and look forward to hearing from you. You are all brave and I commend you for your efforts to become healthy. Keep it up. Stay true to you, Maggie

Congratulations! It's coming up!

I'm taking this surgery very seriously. I have no choice! I'm not going to go through all of this only to fail. I will look at the videos.

Thank you very much! You look fantastic Are you glad you did the pre-op? I started mine today. Did you find it helped you transition easier? Thanks! Maggie

How are you feeling and how is it going on your new journey in the post op world?? Many prayers to you

That's awesome! I feel like I'm making this up as I go along...lol. My nutritionist isn't available because I switched surgeons and my new surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet AT ALL! I trust my new surgeon more than the old, it's all on what they prefer I guess. But after being trained on the pre-op, I decided I would do a ten day prep because of the safety precautions and added weight loss. I think it's helpful to psychologically get me ready to "let go" of food. I need to! The program I was trained on was: •10 day liquid pre-op, 500 cals a day consisting of 3-4 Protein shakes, Clear liquids including broth and sugar free Popsicles and Jello. •2 week post-op liquid as above •weeks 3-5 puréed foods •weeks 6-8 soft foods •weeks 8+ solids Do any of your programs differ? The above one is my old surgeon's program; my new surgeon has you going from liquids to solids in 5 weeks. I like the 8 weeks (IN THEORY, don't get me wrong, it's gonna be a challenge!) to help me learn my habits, gain routine and train my body. Thoughts?

Thank you everyone! Do you think I'm "allowed" to add PB2, the powdered peanut butter? I know it'll be added calories but if I exercise and keep it at my 500 calorie goal on my fitness pal, I should be ok? Or is that cheating?

What kind of work do you do? I was told it all depends on your surgery and if you have complications, etc. For the average patient, my surgeon said for a desk job where you're primarily sitting, it's about a week recovery. For manual and heavy labor jobs which require lifting more than ten pounds, 1.5-2 weeks recovery. Hope that helps!

I don't have access to my nutritionist and was wondering if anyone has experience with PB2? The powdered peanut butter. I was wondering if I was allowed to use that in my protein shakes during my liquid phases. I'm leaning towards no but thought I'd give it a shot!