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I did a high protein, low carb before my band. The real purpose if this is to burn off the fat and glycogen stores in your liver because you liver is laying across you stomach and they have to lift it to get the band on. We obese people store a lot of fat and glycogen in our livers making band placement difficult. You burn more fat and glycogen on high protein, low carb. The thing to remember is that if you go low carb, you will suffer from carb withdrawal for the first 3-4 days. It causes hunger, grumpy mood, headaches. It can be pretty miserable. On day 4 most people start to feel better and your hunger goes away, making the rest of the preop pretty easy. I did it for 4 weeks before surgery and lost 23 pounds. I also felt I was truly ready for surgery and prepared for a lot less food post-op. My surg said my surgery was a textbook case and was done in 20 minutes. I was not really hungry after surgery for over 4 weeks. I still try to keep my carb count low, 40-60 per day, to help control appetite. On my pre-op diet I had a protein powder and unsweetened soy milk shake (added Crystal Light for flavor) for breakfast and lunch, and lean meats with no breading like chicken breast, fish, diet lean burger, shrimp, tuna, etc for dinner with low carb veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, salad veggies, celery, etc) cooked or raw. I ate as much lean meat and salad as I needed to be full. I added SF jello and SF popsicles. I avoided a lot of the fatty selections and extra fats (full fat cheese, sour cream, butter, high fat salad dressings) so I figure my diet was a modified Atkins Diet. This really worked for me. I hope you can lose what your doc wants before your surgery. You will feel better, better about yourself, and it gets you in the right mindset for the after surgery journey. Good luck to you!

I've been on the high protein/low carb/low fat diet since Friday, June 18th for surgery on July 2nd. My doctor also didn't really give any guidelines to exact numbers of carbs, just for the protein. I've been able to stay at it pretty hardcore. I've lost 16.5 lbs so far.

Does any one has any advice on how to kick start the pre-op diet? I plan to keep it simple by doing 2 protein shake and a light salad for dinner with meat as a protein source. I am starting pre-op diet after July 4th weekend. My surgery is July 24th

I have been on my liquid diet since April 1st. It seem like the first 3 days were hard for me but im breezing right through it now. Surgery is April 12th. My diet consists of 2-3 protein shakes. sugar free jello,pudding,some cream soup(nothing chunky) and sugar free popsicles. Some of you are luck,you still get to eat whole foods, but the good thing about this diet,after surgery the liquid diet you will be on then, wont be so hard. Best wishes to all the April Bansters!!

Yes it is but it is going to be so worth it in the end. I had to be on a 4 week Protein shake diet. I was allowed one frozen dinner no more than 400 calories. I would have to say it was the hardest thing I had to do. I had my surgery on the 5th and ironically the thought of food now physically makes me sick. I know it is tough but you can do it! The end result is what kept me going. Also another thing you can do is everytime you think about the liquid crap is exercise. It helped me. I would take my kids for a walk or something everytime I got upset about the diet. Sorry I am rambling, just wanted to offer some support.

Just keep sipping. This was the hardest thing for me was Fluid intake. Just try Water many different ways with lemon or limes or orange slices. Crystal light became my friend. It was until month 2 that I felt normal again. It all been worth but it's been had its ups and downs. Good luck!I use propel instead of crystal light. However i guess my issue is when to drink water and wen to drink Protein. Both are highly important. Does protein count toward water intake as well? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App Also wats the best protein flavor. I seem to get a bit gaggy with vanilla... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

Banded life is not what I expected. No, the weight doesn't fall off but I also don't have to obsess about every bite that goes into my mouth or go insane with exercise. If I eat a relatively healthy diet and stay active then I slowly and consistantly drop. How could I be so lucky?!?! I've noticed recently however that my taste in foods is changing. I have always been a meat eater but these days I could go without it and not miss it. Weird, and again, unexpected. Luckily my love of beans has grown ridiculously as my love affair with meat has dwindled so I can live off the beans for protein. I, err, may never have a good dating life again given the, umm, "side effects" from the beans, but for now it'll do. Another unexpected...I've had a really tough week emotionally. Bad things have happened (they won't kill me, I will survive, but in the grand scheme of things it's a pretty big deal) and rather than sit on the couch and eat potato chips, I sort of just don't want to eat. I guess my old buddy "comfort food" is no longer my best friend and companion...again, not a bad thing, just, well, surprising.

Then just follow your program. Make sure you are getting in all of your Protein and Fluid and avoid starches and added sugars. Eating cleanly is the best way to get sugar and carbs out of your system.

Hi Ryan and welcome to the Forums. This is a wonderful place with some very supportive positive people that understand the struggles, the ups and the downs. They also have some wonderful solutions to many problems pre-op and post-op. You will be happy you found this group. I am 1 week pre-op and Im on the liquid diet too but I don't find it that difficult. I LOVE these protein shakes.I think they taste good and there is no cooking involved and no dishes to wash. What can I say...it gives me time to do other things. lol Anyway, we're here for you.

What do you mix protein powder with? Does regular milk have to much fat??

Oh and so far ive been doing research on trying to mix up the protein shake ingredients and one that i tried today has whole grain oats, almond milk frozen mixed berries, greek yogurt, and a scoop of chocolate protein and its bareable. Still not anything great

My suggestion is to try different shakes... my Dr. gave me a list of shakes to buy/try - you may be sensitive to the dairy, wheat, high level of Protein, etc. As for taste... there are a lot of shakes to try. My Dr's pre-surgery diet is 3 shakes a day... but, I can add 1 cup of steamed veggies (nothing on them) and 1 protein (like 1 boiled egg or 1 lite 6 oz yogurt or 3 oz chix) per day. It's not easy!!! My date is July 25th!!! Keep in touch! Would love to compare notes

Mine was liquid protein shakes for 14 days. I lost 23lbs pre op.

Make high protein soups as I did ,could not stomach shakes either

Graham cracker is delicious! I have taken to these for the fact they taste so much better than slim fast fewer calories and way more protein! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

I did the Bariatric advantage shakes pre-op but for the first two weeks post op those were actually too thick. So I just resorted to premier protein vanilla (I could not fathom chocolate at that point). I drank about 4 oz at a time over the course of an hour in my little medicine cup shot glasses. Good luck!

Hi Derbymama! You can buy Isopure Protein drinks at GNC, they are high protein/no carb. Also, unjury makes an unflavored Protein powder that you can add to pretty much anything and you can purchase online through their website. Hope this helps you.

Yes i am approved for 4cases of protein scar compound with the added.bonsus.of vitimins i checked my express.scripits and it has been paidfor through.medicaid

I will have 1 week of Protein shakes and Water or crystal lite or sugar free popsicles. It's winter, so not so interested in making popsicles. But I bought some pretty yummy Protein powder from Syntrax Nectar- The Cookies n Cream and the fuzzy Navel are super duper!

RoseFlorish I have narrowed down my dates for either June 26th or July 24th. I was hoping to do it in June but it is looking like July may be my better option. I have to do it when I get my vacation time at work and my husband is home to watch the kids. I will be coming by myself which is very scary to me. Will you have someone with you when you come? It would be nice to have a sleeve buddy for support when I come. I am from Mississippi so I would be flying in the day before surgery. I am terrified but also very excited to have a healthier and better life. Plus to be skinny again is a huge plus! I know 3 people that had their sleeves done by Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Elmo and have had great success!!

I got my date and did my pre-op clearance today i was instructed to buy a rice protein powder or try the following Glucerna shake or Glucerna hunger smart Boost high protein or boost glucose control Ensure muscle health Slim fast optima Carnation instant breakfast essentials no sugar added Or the homemade rice protein shake I agree with jessiegirl30 your surgeon will advise you on what's best for your needs some of us have issues that need to be addressed b4 surgery so some diets b4 are different. March 30th nervous and excited

There are so many different protein shakes you can use. Premier Protein is one of the most popular because the ready made ones have 30G of protein in the small "juice box" Fairfield is another good brand and so on there are tons... As for pre surgery some people have to do a liquid diet for a week, 2 weeks, a month it all depends on what your surgeon says. after surgery you will be on a liquid diet for some time... Again it depends on what your surgeon says as they all do different things.

My preop starts next Wednesday, so Feb 4. I will be on a low carb/high protein, for 2 weeks.

Absolutely would do it again! The first few days are difficult but bearable. Yes you're uncomfortable- the pressure from swellling & gas pain. If you have hernia repair which it seems about half of us on here have, the discomfort is more. But its a surgery- its inevitable to be uncomfortable. Are you in agony and brought to tears by it? Far from it. At least for me. I took liquid loritab (yes ofcourse all ur meds should either be liquid or you need to buy a pill crusher ($4 at walmart!). A crushed pill can be put over a tablespoon of something flavorful to avoid the taste. (Protein shake or juice) That's this nurses trick! =) For me cutting out rice & bread during pre op dieting helped curb the withdrawls during post op diet. I always loved carbs but I haven't had it for so long it doesn't bother me. Same goes for soda! Be prepared at home pre op. Have your supply of broths, Protein drinks, crystal light, v8splash light (good way to get your veggie/fruits in!), gasX strips, heat pad, and the help of a friend or family member that you're comfortable with & can depend on. You will need help the first 24hrs- you will be out of it immediately post op til the anesethesia wears off. You may even need help getting on/off the toilet. (Bending hurts!!) You should know you will be passing a lot of gas due to the co2 used during surgery... so if you're like me & don't like tooting in front of the bf- warn him!!haha =) If you live with ppl make sure they understand the process- it will help them be more supportive. I emptied my kitchen of temptation before the pre op diet- chocolate syrup, Cookies & all fatty condiments. My bf now eats light or fat free everything bc its all we have & its really not that different. You can't eat what isn't there. I recommend having a special day to weigh in and otherwise keep your scale put away. With the swelling & gas the first weeks your wt will fluctuate & it may throw you off your game if you don't necessarily see results daily. Keep in mind it takes 2-3 days to lose a single pound depending on your basal metabolic rate. (A deficit of 3500calories is equivilant to 1lb loss). Beware of bandster hell! You may take a while to find your sweet spot of restriction. I personally felt restriction from day 1 but from what I've read that's not common. Be prepared to use self control & will power for a while. Don't expect immediate rapid weight loss. People that expect to lose a lot immediately tend to have post op regret/depression. And for many of us depression leads to comfort eating. Excercise!! Lack of calories slows the metabolism so keep your body moving to keep it up & you can keep losing! Remember the band is a tool you have to do your part. Make smart food choices, do NOT drink with meals & do not eat or drink a lot of empty calories. And finally find & keep a support group! Accountability is essential for me. I tell certain people my losses & my slip ups. And if I slip I forgive myself & make a plan how not to do it again. Don't be too hard on yourself this is a learning process. Other bandsters will know exactly wat ur goin through & how you feel. The best ppl to advise you are those who have been there. Stay positive & inspired. You can do this!

Hi BTK, I agree with Sherilynn....YOu can have low calorie, low fat foods that go down easily if you want. I have a hard time with Breakfast more mornings that not...so I do a Protein drink. I think it is around 100-150 calories (depends on if I put some fruit in it) and it has 23 grams of protein. Protein reduces hunger...focus on protein. Vomiting..PB-ing...isn't good for you but it is sort of a part of the band...but you should eat carefully to avoid it. And you should check your restriction level, which it sounds like you've done. I haven't had a fill since august and had a lot of problems about a month later, then I've been fine, except I'm back to some restriction so I really have to watch it. I do think that it is necessary to go to soft or liquids after a PB episode. I've tried to push it once and really got in hot Water...was miserable for 24 hours. My general rule after a stuck episode is 24 hours of soft food. It takes a while to get this...duh!