After months of calling the Dr office and our insurance I finally have my surgery date. It is October 20. I am so worried about the two week diet. My Dr said I will only be allowed to have four to five no sugar carnation instant breakfast a day. I totaled a car when I was in high school because I wasn't eating right (yeah, crash dieting, lol) Now I drive with my children and work with as a special education teacher. I am so afraid I'm going to pass out or be crazy because of low blood sugar. Is anyone else afraid of this or have suggestions. I made it this far I certainly don't want to give up. I just wish I could have a different type of protein shake. I have experimented with the diet over summer break and I felt shaky and weak. I am not allowed to have anything else. What is your pre-surgery diets like? Any suggestions? Is anyone else getting banded in October? I really hope to make some friends here I don't think I can do this without some support. This is my first post, but I have been reading for a while, and found so much hope here. Many of you have inspired me.Thank you! :biggrin:

Hi Tannie, I can understand your concern. that would scare me a bit as well.

I just wanted to say that I don't agree with the carnation instant breakfast....there are so many protien shakes out there that are better than that.

Although everyone handles them differently, and while I may love the flavor of one, someone else might not like it at all. It's just my opinion, since I am not a dr, but I would look for one that has more carbs, specifally sugar, to help you from getting those "light headed" feelings. You may have to drink more than 5 a day until your body adjusts to the diet....I was on just shakes for a week, then was able to have creamy soups, then the 3rd week was allowed to have soft fish.

My sister had problems her first week, so she was told to start eatting some thin, creamy mashed potatoes.

Just some ideas...but I wish you luck and hang in there you'll do great! Let us know!

later, Joanie :biggrin:)

Your having surgery on my first bandiversary! I think I will adopt you, :biggrin:. Congratulations on getting your date!

Don't worry about the 2 week diet you can do it, just take it one day at a time. When I had to do it I told myself, "I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow but I know I can do this today" and my old time favorite "One more day down only __ to go, you can do it!" Silly but it works.

I used the CIB shakes too. The milk has plenty of sugar to keep your blood sugar from plummeting. If you are a heavy carb addict you might want to go low carb for a week or so before you start the shakes so you wont have carb withdrawals at the same time you are starting the shakes. I promise your Dr would not prescribe this diet if it were unsafe in any manner, he would be liable.

If you think you have selected a good Dr please do as he asks to have the best chance of a successful surgery. If you don't feel you can do as he asks, talk to him about doing something different, this is about your health.

P.S. Crash dieting:lol::scared2:!

great, you're going to love it!!!:biggrin:

Congratulations on your date! It will be here before you know it. The Carnation drinks gave me terrible gas and were not all that filling. There are tons of other shakes that people here use that might work better for you.

As to the light headedness, I am on Day 6 of the pre-op and so far I have not been that light headed. The only time I felt really shaky was in the first couple of days and I went too long without drinking a shake. If you keep yourself constantly hydrated and sip shakes slowly throughout the whole day, you'll make it.

It totally sucks, but it is so worth it and I swear it gets marginally better.

Hi. My surgery date is 9/17/10 and I'm currently downing Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes. The shakes do make you gassy but seem to hold me between 2 1/2 and 3 hours at a time.

I would not cheat on your diet. You can definitely do this for 2 weeks. With the added milk, you get 150 calories. CIB no sugar adds extra Fiber and carbs to hold you a little longer. I seem to be able to handle the food, although my stomach growls like you wouldn't believe!

I also started to take lactase pills before each CIB shake because I seem to be lactose intolerant - not good when you have to down so many shakes that are milk based - I eat between 5 & 6 shakes / day.

Best of luck with your surgery date.

Edited September 8, 201015 yr by maxi2010

make sure you are getting enough protein pre-op. I was told at least 60 grams per day. I also was to take 500 mg. vit. C twice a day to prepare for healing and stop any aspirin one week prior. best to you:thumbup:

Hi everyone.

I've been on the pre-op diet since Friday, 9/3. It has been 5 1/2 days since I had solid food. I am definitely getting sick of the Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes but have stuck with it. I had been told by my nutritionist to make sure I got in at least 50 grams of Protein each day. I've been keeping a food diary and I have gotten in between 60 and 74 grams of protein a day. My total daily calories have ranged from between 780 to 960 calories per day, not very much. I have found I need to add vegetables to my diet to stop me from getting really hungry. I cooked tomatoes, onions, celery and garlic and put them in a low fat chicken broth. I seasoned it a bit and it was not only tasty but seems to satisfy me longer than the shakes. I can only have 2 cups maximum of the vegetable Soup so I try to ration it when I know I'll be hungry. Boy, if I'm not losing weight, I will be very upset. I'm hardly eating anything.

Tomorrow is my pre-op visit where I'll have my bloods taken, get a chest x-ray and EKG. I'll also meet my anesthesiologist. I had to complete a nutrition quiz which I will have to turn in tomorrow during this pre-op visit. I'm sure I'll meet with a nurse who will go over what will be expected for me both pre-op and post-op. It's getting exciting! My 9/17 lap-band® surgery is only 9 days away!

Edited September 8, 201015 yr by maxi2010

Hello i am getting the lapband 10/20/10 too in little rock ark. 5:30 am cant wait. The liquid diet my dr. Uses is hmr shakes choc/vanilla. 5 800 calorie each. Really good. Go online and get them tell your doctor you need more then instant breakfast. Good luck.