My surgeon did not require me to lose any weight. My NUT said that didn't mean I couldn't or shouldn't try. My insurance coordinator warned me not to lose too much during the 6 month insurance workup. Talk about mixed messages!
The folks in my local support group suggest freezing the Premier shakes. They say they are more like a milkshake that way. Trying it tonight, fingers crossed! They are awful otherwise.
My surgeon did not require any weight loss based on my history. My insurance didn't either. I still lost 15 pounds and I get warnings at every visit not to gain, even though it wasn't a requirement. Go figure.