My insurance improved my surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago and I went to Dr. for pre-op visit a week and half ago and they are suppose to call me Monday with my surgery date. They had me start my pre-op diet week and half ago at pre-op visit. They are projecting a surgery date the week of 3/15 or 3/22 so that is essentially 4 weeks on the pre-op diet and I have to tell you I thought at first I wouldn't be able to do this for four weeks!!!

Tell me you had success on the pre-op diet and it was worth it. And tell me if you cheated during the pre-op...

Encouragement please :cursing:

First 3 days were the hardest. I feel this discipline before band was seated, prepared me for the post-op requirements.

A drastic change from the "pig out" life I had been leading.

New life - new body. More happiness and self-confidence.

The world is waiting for us.

Joyce in KC

I've been working on a healthier eating profile for several years - had an indirect calorimeter done so I'd know my calories needed to lose/maintain and have been food journaling forever. After my initial appt with my surgeon on 1/14/10 I cracked down on my diet by sticking to a 1200 calorie diet, so that by my first follow up I'd lost 10 pounds (2/1). Nevertheless, my surgeon uses the Medifast (4 shakes + one lean and green) from the initial follow up until surgery.

Yes, I have cheated from time to time - some "cheats" have been allowed(add'l protein in the form of eggs, cheese, chicken), some have been a few mini pretzels, a slice of bread, some popcorn...

Had my last meeting with the surgeon and my PAT's on Friday(2/26/10) - down 25 pounds.

I am having the worst time making the four shakes a day - esp living in the North where eating cold in the cold equals cold!:biggrin:

I am half way thru my 3 week pre-op. I lost 9 pounds in the first 10 days, and then fell off for a day. Couple glasses of wine, that led to some pizza. I have learned that beating myself up over it makes it worse. I just got up the next day and started the shakes again. Its almost like quitting smoking cold turkey. Just take it one day at a time.

its hard. ive been on it for 7 days and tomorrow will be the 8th day. my surgery is next week and i have had one moment of weakness due to unforseen circumstances, but you just have to keep going.

I was supposed to be on Medifast for 2 weeks prior, but because of weather and my insurance company, it really became 4. I didn't mind it too much- had lots of variety to choose from, and I lost 20 pounds, which was a nice bennie! Most of all, though, I was really happy to see a big drop in my A1C and blood glucose levels preop...and my surgeon said that my liver looked great when he was in there, well out of his way.

After all that, this 7 day postop Clear liquids only phase is no big deal.

Hang in there- all too soon, your preop period will be no more than a memory

Best wishes, Christine

10 day all liquid diet

Breakfast - sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast with 1 cup skim milk blended with a fruit. ie 4 oz banana or 3/4 c mandarin oranges

3 Snacks in the day - 8 oz fruit juice

lunch and dinner - sugar free Carnation Inst Breakfast with 1 cup skim milk blended with a fruit, also 8 oz creamy Soup or V-8 juice.

52 oz of Water

I'm at the end of day 5. I haven't cheated at all. I was really jazzed the first few days, now I'm feeling weak and tired. I hope the weak and tired goes away and I can get my jazzed feeling back again.

Holds up my carnation inst breakfast "Cheers All"

I am starting my preop on 3/10 and have alot of variety ready to go 1 week of only liquids, right now i am excited and ready to do this hope the week goes by quickly though!