I am hopefully having the lap band in mid December. When you were getting ready for the 2 week liquid diet, did you just go into it cold turkey? Or did you start the weeks before with the protein shakes to get your body used to them? Just looking for some tips to have a successful liquid diet, especially since it will be right around Thanksgiving and the holidays. Thanks for any help- advice!

For a couple weeks presurgery I did protein shakes for breakfast and dinner with a reasonably sized lunch. My surgeo did not have a presurgery diet (But I had lost 50 pounds since my consult so that may have had something to do with it.). I made my shakes with 2/3 cup fat free milk, 1/3 cup frozen milk ("milk cubes"), ice cubes, Whey isolate protein power, fat/sugar free pudding powder (2 tablespoons), sometimes Davinchi sugar free syrup, splendra. Mixed in a Hamilton Beach Blender.

Cold Turkey.

Went out for dinner the night before and had some sushi, a massive rib steak, and some drinks to top it all off.

Then started my shakes the next morning

Luckily my surgeon doesn't do the 2 week liquid prior to surgery. He has you lose 10% of your weight instead. The diet they give you is slim pickins! So as another poster.. went to Olive Garden the night before and went right on to two protein shakes a day and one decent high protein meal a day. As of today... about 10lbs to lose and I'm good to go..

I started the 10 day liquid diet yesterday and no, I did NOT ease into it. I am already getting sick of the Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes so why start them early? I am not sure if I can actually DO this for 10 days. (well 8 days now) but I am going to try. I also bought some optifast which I mix with ice and water in a blender and it is wonderful. I may try some broth tonight because something warm in my stomach would be nice. I already feel like my clothes are loose. Does beer count as a liquid? Just kidding gave that up a week ago.

Thanks for the replies!

I never thought about getting tired of the protein shakes before it is even time to start them. I guess I will stick to what I am doing and just start the pre op diet cold turkey, so to speak!

Does everyone have to do a liquid diet first? How long do you have to do it, or does it depend on how much weight you need to lose? What else do you need to do before the surgery?

Edited October 21, 201015 yr by sandiegolapband
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No liquid only pre-op diet for me, but it did slowly transition into my pre-op diet a few days before. But did not have any Protein drinks until the day I started my pre-op diet. I was tempted, but I wanted to use the Protein Drinks as a way to tell my brain...THIS IS DAY ONE, YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY!!!

John

Edited October 22, 201015 yr by jguttery

What does the pre-op diet entail? I'm still in the very beginning of this journey, and know almost nothing. I've decided I'm definately doing it though, so at least I know that much :wink2:

Edited October 21, 201015 yr by sandiegolapband
spelling error

What does the pre-op diet entail? I'm still in the very beginning of this journey, and know almost nothing. I've decided I'm definately doing it though, so at least I know that much :wink2:

Every surgeon is different, some require a liquid only diet, some put you and the Atkins, some it's High Protein/Low Carb.... and other's it's no diet at all.

Edited October 22, 201015 yr by jguttery

Most surgeons require a liquid only diet for two weeks before the surgery.

This is done in order to shrink the liver which makes the surgery much easier. Most of us who are overweight also have enlarged livers. The surgeon needs to be able to lift up the liver and go under it in order to be able to place the band.

My Dr. only has a one week pre op diet. Off hand I think it is 4 days liquids and 3 days clear liquids. I am thinking I might try the week before to start going slowly, like do 1 meal shake, and 2 food and then 2 meals shakes and 1 food. Something like that, so I don't shock myself.

My surgeon has me doing a 2 week pre-op diet which consists of slim fast low carb shakes 3 times a day and 1 small meal.

I'm starting on Monday.. gonna try and just go cold turkey. Not looking forward to it! :w00t:

Well I have started a liquid diet per say this week so that I can get my mind and body back adjusted to the liquids that I will be having to live on for 2 weeks. I know that i can do this i have done Slim fast diet before so I know that it is all a matter of training yourself to do it. Plus I like to look forward to the future..this pre op diet is only for 2 weeks.

Just a suggestion... I was checking out labels on pre-made shakes.. i.e. slim fast, EAS

If you are feeling hungry you should do the EAS AdvantEdge Carb control

110 Cal

3 fat

4 carbs

17 Protein

I need more protein then carbs to stay satisfied and if you check the labels of slim fast or Kirkland (from costco, which I was using) they don't have very much protein.

You can find the EAS at Walmart, Target etc.

My surgeon requires a 2 week all liquid diet - I am kind of easing into it in that I have started "test-driving" shakes. I went out last weekend and bought several different brands to see which ones I like best. Right now, I am just having them for breakfast each day...I start the real thing on the 18th (and I'm not looking forward to it)...