Hi, I have been on the liquid diet for a week and a half now. I have lost about 10 or 12 pounds so far. I have been drinking the glucerna drinks (5 a day) for the most part. I have been getting kinda of sick of the whole thing and I started to do a bit of cheating. I'm not sure if this is bad or not. I have been substituting abt 1 drink a day (200 cal, 10 protein) for an almost equivalent solid, such as chicken, or veggie burgers. the sodium is a bit higher maybe 300 or 400 mg. but calories a bit less (120)... I'm still losing weight so does this matter? is there any real reason that I need to be drinking rather than eating?

To shrink your liver so they can get around it during surgery. I could have solids at dinner time but very little, if that makes you.feel any.better.

I don't understand. Liquids shrink the liver but solids won't even if they have the same nutritional value?

??? I have no idea lol, that's just what my doc said. Some people do Atkins so I guess its just what, your doc recommend.

My Dr. Did not care what I ate or how much!

I was told to loose 15-20 lbs before surgery, to shrink the liver, or he would not do the

Surgeryand would re-schedule.

Now, having said that, what is the EASIEST way to loose that much weight In a short amount of time? Liquid Shakes!

So if you cheat, who are you going to hurt?

It comes down to how bad do you want the surgery.

I could have went on a fried chicken diet if it would work.

Me neither...my doc just said lose 10 and I lost 8 and he was happy.

i did the Adkins diet before my surgery ......lost about 10pounds

It comes down to you and how bad you want this. Getting the lap-band and losing weight with it takes self control and a lot of work, are you ready for that? Good luck

It's not the liquid so much as the high level of protein and low level carbs. By reducing the carbs your body is forced to burn first protein and second fat. The liver stores fat so you are trying to burn that off. I don't recommend going against your doctors orders but if you do I would focus on low fat high protein options. Such as 3 oz. skinless chicken breast.

I am doing Atkins...it's high protien and very low carbs/sugar. It also shrinks your liver. Here is a good article I found...

Pre-op liver reduction plan

Just because you are awaiting a surgical treatment for your morbid obesity, this is not an excuse to sit back and gorge out on as much food as you can! Any weight you can lose through dieting before your surgery is an advantage - it will make the surgery easier and will reduce the risks associated with it.

Some surgeons mandate a very restricted diet - one that is low in fat, sugar and carbohydrates - for one week prior to surgery and even if your surgeon doesn't ask you to follow this diet, doing so will increase your chances of your operation being completed laparoscopically because it will shrink your liver down in size. By following a strict diet, your body reduces its glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy). With each ounce of glycogen, the body stores 3–4 ounces of Water, so when you follow a very strict diet, especially one that is low in starch and sugar, your body loses its glycogen stores and some water. The liver shrinks as it has less glycogen and water in it.

I am doing Atkins...it's high protien and very low carbs/sugar. It also shrinks your liver. Here is a good article I found...

Pre-op liver reduction plan

Just because you are awaiting a surgical treatment for your morbid obesity, this is not an excuse to sit back and gorge out on as much food as you can! Any weight you can lose through dieting before your surgery is an advantage - it will make the surgery easier and will reduce the risks associated with it.

Some surgeons mandate a very restricted diet - one that is low in fat, sugar and carbohydrates - for one week prior to surgery and even if your surgeon doesn't ask you to follow this diet, doing so will increase your chances of your operation being completed laparoscopically because it will shrink your liver down in size. By following a strict diet, your body reduces its glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy). With each ounce of glycogen, the body stores 3–4 ounces of Water, so when you follow a very strict diet, especially one that is low in starch and sugar, your body loses its glycogen stores and some water. The liver shrinks as it has less glycogen and water in it.

Interesting. My Dr doesn't require a preop diet, but I may do one this week before surgery.

My Dr didn't give me liquid diet. He had me on low fat very low fat diet. I lost some wt. He said stick to the post op diet was the most important thing.

My Dr. has patients go on a low carb diet 2 wks prior to surgery. I have done low carb in the past and it's not so bad, really. I just happen to love love LOVE carbs, so I just have to ween myself off slowly and I have been doing that some since I'm back doing Weight Watchers, trying to eat healthier, for the most part, but not all low carb, yet. It does work, just as the article above says. I know your Dr. says liquids, but everyone I know in my area that has had the surgery, did a low carb diet (not just liquids) and it worked great for them. I will be following my own low carb diet in a few weeks, before surgery. I wish you well on your journey.

I was supposed to do 3 liquid opti fast shakes a day. I could also have broth and popsicles and Jello in between.

I called the nurse since the two other surgeons in the SAME office require 2 shakes and then a lean Protein and veggie at night. She said while she couldn't tell me I was allowed to switch, I was big girl and needed to make my own decision. She also stated she wasn't a fan of Opti fast because the 2nd ingredient was Sugar and the 4th ingredient was Corn Syrup Solids. There are SO many carbs in these shakes so I have no idea how these are better than me eating lean meat and chicken.

Anyways, I switched out the dinner the shake for the meal and have lost almost 11 pounds. I am now on week 2.

Hi, I have been on the liquid diet for a week and a half now. I have lost about 10 or 12 pounds so far. I have been drinking the glucerna drinks (5 a day) for the most part. I have been getting kinda of sick of the whole thing and I started to do a bit of cheating. I'm not sure if this is bad or not. I have been substituting abt 1 drink a day (200 cal, 10 protein) for an almost equivalent solid, such as chicken, or veggie burgers. the sodium is a bit higher maybe 300 or 400 mg. but calories a bit less (120)... I'm still losing weight so does this matter? is there any real reason that I need to be drinking rather than eating?

You will be okay! Look at my signature line and there is a link to my surgeon's pre-op diet. Even though I was eating fish or chicken and veggies for dinner it still felt like I was about to pass out. I couldn't exercise (walk) because I had no energy. I would just go to sleep after dinner because I was still hungry. I get depressed thinking about it. Oh yeah and that's why diets never worked for me...I was always freaking hungry.

My surgeon has patients go on restrictive atkins diet - less than 20g carbs per day.... all lean proteins, and cheese and dairy.... this diet is started 2 weeks before surgery, there is no "required" weight loss, but they are up front about shrinking the liver....