I am noticing that some people are put on a 14 day liquid diet like me and some people only have 7 days or even 3 days? Some people can even eat solid foods like veggies or leans meats. I can't imagine how I am going to function in everyday life not eating anything but broth, sf jello & pudding & choke down protein shakes?? What do I do about fogginess or weakness? I have 88 pounds to lose before I am at a healthy weight. Any thoughts or ideas? Encouragement would be great..thanks.

A lot of people do the 14 days of liquids. It's hard, but you're definitely not alone, and you can do it. Don't forget that the liquids don't last forever

All I had to tell myself to get through the 14 days was that there was no way I was going into an operation and coming out without the band. Everytime I thought about breaking it I would just read the stories here about people who did and woke up facing another operation and that would stop me.

Having said that, the one thing I did do was have a huge and delicious Breakfast on the morning i was to start the 14 days. That way I just had to have one shake meal and one meal of veggies and did it not feel so horrible. By the 2nd day I had a sense of accomplishment (somewhat fake, I admit) from the first day but it gave me a start anyway.

Having successfully done the 14 days I have been able to get through some pretty intense plataues over the last 7 months by moving back to a couple of days of shakes plus a meal. That has really helped me continue moving down.

I can't imagine how I am going to function in everyday life not eating anything but broth, sf Jello & pudding & choke down Protein shakes?? What do I do about fogginess or weakness?

Don't try to imagine how you'll feel. Just focus on the result.

Look, the preop diet isn't fun. But it's time-limited, and all of us have PLENTY of energy reserves on our bodies to withstand it without weakness and fogginess.

The first couple of days are the hardest--but after that, the body starts kicking it its reserves, and it really is SO much easier.

Preop diet aside, the band is really just the BEGINNING of this journey; depending on your doctor, your postop diet may be very limited too---and for a far longer time. You can choose to put a negative spin on this ("I just can't imagine...choking down"), or you can choose to accept it as part of a very positive process.

The latter makes it WAAAAAY easier.

As re: choking down protein, it's well worth the effort to try several, until you hit on one you actually LIKE. They're out there! I love the Inspire Proteins from Bariatric Eating. They mix well in a small volume of Water (so there's less to choke down if you really do wind up hating all proteins!), are reasonably priced, and taste great. I use them to bump up my protein intake, and have the dutch chocolate mixed with warm almond milk every morning. Honestly, even my kids (picky, picky kids) think it's as good as their usual Ghirardelli cocoa.

You'll get through it---it's scary to contemplate, but so much easier when you've found a product or two you like and are actually DOING it.

Edited February 17, 201016 yr by BetsyB
spelling

PS--Also, why not ask your doctor what his/her preop requirements are? You may find that your worry is for naught. Knowledge is power!

Mine is 12 days of Optifast (5 shakes & 2 bars a day) then the 2 days before surgery is nothing but clear liquids. Yeah it sucks, but seeing the scale move is worth it. The weakness & sluggishness goes away. It's definitely worth it, just one step to get what you want!!

I am noticing that some people are put on a 14 day liquid diet like me and some people only have 7 days or even 3 days? Some people can even eat solid foods like veggies or leans meats. I can't imagine how I am going to function in everyday life not eating anything but broth, sf Jello & pudding & choke down Protein shakes?? What do I do about fogginess or weakness? I have 88 pounds to lose before I am at a healthy weight. Any thoughts or ideas? Encouragement would be great..thanks.

The diet is to shrink your liver. It is located just above your stomach and can get in the way during surgery if it is too fat.

Check out a couple of surgeries on youtube if you are not queasy.

I am on day 10 of a 3 week liquid diet and actually enjoying it. As Betsy alluded to, I am focused on the results and not the actual diet.

I haven't felt any weakness of sluggishness. I do get a little lightheaded for a second if I stand up too fast from a laying position.

HOLY motivation??? Wow thank you all so much, I couldnt of asked for more information, encouragement, and the kick in the pants that I needed. THANK YOU! As I was reading it I was thinking..shes right, ya, I never thought of it that way..this morning I had a revolation of sorts. I said to myself that this fast is the light to the top of the moutain. Its a dark road and to keep the lantern lit I need to stick to this...other wise the light goes out and the path to the top is dark. Silly? Maybe but, it got me thinking....And believing.

Best advice is not to wait until the first day of your pre-op diet to try out the protein shakes. Test a few out before hand and ease into it. Hitting the wall with a sudden change in diet is literally like hitting a wall.

I too am a newbie and will take your suggestions to try different protein drinks before surgery. What no one is answering is what does the band feel like and the port feel like after surgery after a month, two months. Can you feel them, are they noticable to unsuspecting people?

It took me about 4 months of trying all kinds and flavors of Protein shakes before I found the ONE I LOVE, so be patient.:thumbdown:

I DID find that all the canned shakes had a tinny taste to me, so I opted for whey protein isolate powder that mixes easily with Water / milk (which helps when there's no blender around). The isolate is a little more expensive than the whey protein concentrate (which has lactose & requires blending) but the isolate is worth the little extra price.

For the person who asked about the band itself: you yourself will be able to feel your port under your chest area (just like a small hard ball) but you'll never see or feel the Band itself and no-one else can either. The small laproscopic incisions almost go away after a few years too--so even the scars don't give away your Band.

Good luck all...:thumbdown:

Edited February 18, 201016 yr by make33

I will be on a liquid diet for 5 days. My doc says the length of time you are on the liquid diet is directly related to the amount of fat around your liver.

I actually did a three-day "mock" liquid diet a few weeks before I had to do the "real" thing. I sampled many different protein shakes before-hand to see which ones were good. I happen to like the vanilla protein shakes because sugar-free syrups can be added to them to give them a different flavor. I also added plain coffee to my morning shake to jazz it up a bit.

If your unlucky enough to be 500 pounds, you get the 3 week pre-op diet. Well mine is 20 days. For it being the second day I am so motivated. I guess finding out I was 500 pounds really started this whole thing for me, and I am ready. There is lots of encouraging words on here that help. Every doctor is different. I was told 2 shakes, breakfast and lunch, and a lean cusine or smart ones for dinner. The important part is getting 60-70 grams of protein, while limiting calories to 800-1000 per day. It just take creativity and a litle planning.

I am new to this site, but wondering if anyone has tried Medifast or powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury?

I am also a type 2 diabetic and wondering if another type 2 can give me any insight into liquid diets and lap band.:sad:

I too am a newbie and will take your suggestions to try different Protein drinks before surgery. What no one is answering is what does the band feel like and the port feel like after surgery after a month, two months. Can you feel them, are they noticable to unsuspecting people?

Nope, they aren't noticeable at all! Most folks don't even notice the scars unless you point them out. I can find my port with my fingers if I press and dig around in the general area, but that's it.

Yeah, try the different Protein Drinks. I wasn't on them long at all, and my doc was more worried about carbs. I was an unhappy camper during the pre-op diet, but it was SOOO worth it! Really, guys. Bear up. It's temporary. I made Soups and broths, then froze half of what I made for my Liquid Post-Op Phase. Use Jello and sugar free Popsicles to give yourself treats. Go hunt up Torani and DaVinci Sugar Free Syrups to flavor your coffee, tea, and yogurts. You miss your old bad diet a whole lot less when you have flavors to enjoy.

Really, sprinkle glitter in your hair and call yourself a circus poodle for all the hoops you jump through, but it's really worth all the effort. Do it now and enjoy this coming year!

Lena