I'm in the 2 week pre-op 1200 calorie a day pre-op diet phase. Today is day 3. So far, I haven't been able to keep my calories at 1200. I usually end up around 1500-1700. I wear the bodybugg and work out a lot so I always have a deficit of over a 1000 calories. I'm scared because I'm fighting so hard to watch what I eat and write every thing down. If I can't do THIS... am I making the right choice? I've GOT to up my veggie intake for sure. Any diet suggestions on how to get through a very physically active day without feeling dizzy on 1200 calories a day? I'm thinking I may have to go extreme low carb in order to do this.

What is the specific reason for such a low cal diet for 2 weeks right before the surgery? What if I never make it to 1200 a day but I still lose some weight because of my activity level? I'm so nervous about the 2 day liquids only diet right before surgery. Am I strong enough for this? I thought I was. I've been working on me and this and this decision for over 2 years. I'm nervous.

Maybe if I understood the reasoning behind the strict diet prior to surgery it would set it my mind better. I need a logical/scientific answer to repeat in my head throughout the day so that I can make my mind convince my body to do what it needs to do!! (hope that makes a little sense.... I'm a student by nature and do better when I understand the "why's")

Can anyone help?

I forgot to mention that my Basal Metabolic Rate is 1646....its actually gone up even though my weight has gone down since I'm building muscle. If I'm burning an average of 3200- sometimes 4000 calories a DAY ... doesn't 1200 a day seem a bit extreme? I understand I won't be burning that much for quite a while after surgery due to recovery, etc.... I have been told it will take some time to get my energy levels back up to where I am now and I only plan on continuing to build back the body I once had (athlete). I read somewhere that the strict diet makes your liver shrink?????

Others will have more specific information, but the short answer for why your surgeon put you on the preop diet is to shrink your liver prior to surgery. When the band is being placed, they need to retract your liver out of the way so they can reach the upper part of your stomach. The more liver there is, the harder that is to do. The preop diet will shrink the liver by as much as 10 to 15%, which makes the surgery easier to perform, and there is less risk of damaging it. So by staying on the diet you're actually helping yourself. (The very low calories seem extreme because they are - this isn't about healthy nutrition for long term living, it's about getting you ready for surgery.)

If you're concerned about your daily regimen, or being unable to do as your surgeon suggests, you should call and ask about it. They may have alternate options for you. I only did one day of preop diet, but I did three weeks of liquids only diet after surgery. Every surgeon has his/her own requirements.

Good luck! And hang in there - it's worth it.

Dave

My surgeon required a 2 week pre-op diet that consisted of:

Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch.

2 servings of fruit

Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones for dinner

and unlimited sugar free and sodium free Clear Liquids.

I'm consuming around 900 cals/day but I feel great! The Protein shakes really keep me full and Pure Protein Rich chocolate powder with 8oz milk, 1/2 banana and some ice cubes is fab!!!

The benefits are so much better, in my opinion, than just shrinking your liver, although that is it's primary function. The particular diet I'm following can shrink it by as much as 25%. I'm also sleeping better, in a better mood and have lost around 11lbs. I'm due to be banded in 6 days! Can't wait! Good luck on your journey!!!