I'm in the pre-stages of having the lap band. I changed my ways of eating and exercise 4 days a week. I'm having trouble losing weight and I was told by my doctor that if I don't lose weight I can't have surgery:( I guess the insurance company will not cover it.. Any ideas:) good diets? What are good snacks that will fill me up and prevent me from binge eating or eating when bored??? Thanks all:)

Did they say how much you need to lose?

I would go to your insurance website and see if that's true? I know it once was this way but I think most carriers do not require this any more.

Doctors want this so that your liver shrinks so that it's easier to move it out of the way during surgery.

You should have gone through a nutrition program that would outline how to lose the weight and what method your doctor prefers? No?

Most doctors want you to be on a low carb diet like south beach or atkins to shrink that liver.

Go here for a patient manual. There is some advice on pre-op diets. http://www.peachtreebariatrics.com/docs/Gastric-Band-Patient-Manual.pdf

tmf

My doctor put me on two protien shakes a day and small meal for dinner. I.E. Grilled Chicken or Fish and veggies

Track your calories, watch your portions, try Protein shakes once or twice a day and one healthy meal or mix it up. Cut down the carbs and watch your sodium and fat intake. Get some walking in, at least 30 minutes a day to start out. Get your Water in, cut back on sugar and sweets. Take it one day at a time. It's a process, you can do it.

Good luck

the low carb thing worked wonderful for me. Let me know if you need info on how to get started....inbox me.

I would join myfitnesspall as well...great site to track food and exercise plus you can add your LBT buddies

Feel free to add me same username:waitingpatiently

My doctor put me on the sugar busters diet....google it....it works:)

My doctor required I loose 30+ pounds presurgery (Not the insurance). Biggest issue for me was refined carbs: low fat crackers, chips, rice cakes. I had to cut them out cold turkey. Does your doctor require sessions with a therapist that specializes in eating disorders? I found them to be really helpful. Helped me acknowledge foods that triggered me to overeat.

Do you own a food scale? If not buy one. You will need it post op anyway. Start weighing your Protein. Post op I was told 3 oz. I'd always learned in home ec class to serve 4 oz of protein for a meal. Start weighing your food. You'd be amazed how much we underestimate our portions.

My doctor does not recommend snacking pre or post op. I would recommend eating healthy sized portions and not snacking. If you absolutely MUST have one choose chicken breast (plain no skin. Though mustard is fine) or low fat cheese sticks.

I put myself on a self imposed preop diet (I had lost a total of 50 pounds before surgery). I had a Protein shakes for Breakfast and dinner; with a high protein, low fat/cal lunch. I did add about 1/3 cup frozen fruit. Mixed shake with a blender. sugar free syrup and sugar/fat free pudding powder improve the flavor. Did that about a month preop.