7 days into my diet..I caved. I had some boneless Buffalo wings at 2am. I was starving I have been barely eating anything but shakes the last week. I wish I understood this diet. Some people don't even have a pre surgery diet and I'm on one for two weeks. Does it not matter for some to have a shrunk liver but for others to have one. ..still feel guilty though

I didn't have to the pre-op diet because I didn't have a fatty liver yet my starting weight was 292 lbs... so go figure... each doctor is different.

Do the best you can... take it one day at a time.

Do you have a Post-op menu plan to follow?

I was given a 4 week plan to follow. I really stuck to my plan... and the results showed.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs

I was told I was a low bmi starting weight is 229 in fact the only reason I was approved for the surgery was the high blood pressure and a thyroid condition. I think he just generalized me with everyone. He has every one doing the same pre op diet.

I had to do the pre op diet and struggled with it just like you are. On day of 3 of the pre-op, I glanced out the window and saw a pizza delivery guy walking up the driveway next door. For a fleeting second, I actually thought of attacking the guy for the pizza. (no lie) It did get a little easier as each day went on, and the shakes seemed to taste better. I ate lots of sugar free popsicles. If I had to eat something when I wasn't supposed to, I tried to stick with vegetables. At the end of my 2 weeks, I had lost 20 pounds and noticed the difference. I was feeling pretty accomplished!

My preop diet was my first "detox", and it was rough. It took a lot of will power, like any addict giving up his vice. Stick with it as much as you can and don't beat yourself up. I had my surgery May 6th and I had to do 2 weeks of liquid diet after my surgery, that was phase II of my detox!

During all this time, I was miserable and very grumpy. But, I look back at it now that I am 4 months out, and down 76 pounds, and think....it was soooo worth my efforts!!

You are trying to work through your detox, go easy on yourself. And pick yourself up and brush it off, get back on that wagon! Keep up the good work!

And God Bless you on September 10th!

I was 222lbs (BMI of 37) when I was scheduled for surgery and my doctor said it was up to me if I did a pre-op diet. I did one for 3 weeks. There was NO way in hell I was going to get cut up only to find that they couldn't do the surgery because my fatty liver was in the way.

For my band replacement 3 months ago with a different surgeon (I moved states), I weighed 150lbs with a BMI of 27 and I was told I had to go on liquids only for 3 days before my surgery. At a BMI of 27, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have had a fatty liver, but I did it anyway, because if they did end up not doing the surgery, I wouldn't have had anyone to blame but myself.

I absolutely believe that the right doctor/patient relationship is integral to success with the band. So his instructions need to be the one you follow, not those of other surgeons who aren't the ones operating on you. I know it's hard, it's REALLY hard, but so many of us did it, so you need to believe that you can too. One day at a time.

Fatty liver aside, I think it's about our choice to become banded. We have to leave our old habits and become disciplined with a new diet. No better time to begin than the few weeks leading up to surgery. It does get easier as your pre op diet goes on. You have to remember its was a choice to change lifestyles and stick with it. Just cause you get banded doesn't mean there isn't any more work to do. You have to stay disciplined.You can do it! Best Wishes

The surgeon has to go in with tools laparoscopically and place the lap band around your stomach. They have to hold liver up and out of the way in order to place the lapband, and the liver is pretty heavy--especially if you did not do the pre-op diet! It's a completely unnecessary risk to not do the pre-op diet.

Please don't beat yourself up over that...you haven't done anything most of us didn't do during the preop diet. I didn't get serious until the last few days and it didn't affect my outcome at all. I'm not saying this to be a negative influence, please do your best to control your cravings and follow the guidelines the doctor has set for you.

If everyone here was honest and posted their "cheats" you would see your not alone!! I cheated... Mini blizzard at Dq.

My pre-op diet was for two weeks; 1200 calories per day, low fat, lower carb. Then, two days prior to surgery, full liquids only. The 1200 calorie per day part, I wasn't an angel. I did cut down a great deal, and probably ate closer to 1400 calories. The liquid part, I was perfect. No issues.

Please do not get hung up on how other people's programs are tailored. You chose your doctor for his expertise, so follow only what HE tells you. I did the same thing; wondered why I had to follow this, that & the other thing, while others had more freedom. But then again, I also read some that were way more restricted, for longer periods. This is a great place for support, but YOUR doctor should be your first and foremost source for guidance.

My preop diet was 4-5 protein shakes a day for 2 weeks! I literally cried on my way home from work the first day seeing as this was the time I'd stop at any fast food or pizza place stuff my face till I couldn't breathe then fo home and go to sleep. But each day got a bit easier. I did cheat twice it was grilled chicken both times. Oh yeah then there was the binger I did at McDonald's which I promptly felt so guilty I went and purged no fun. Either way b4 I knew it was surgery day and it was totally worth it I was down 22 lbs and surgery went smooth I didnt need a single med for pain and returned to work 2 days later. Hang in there it will be over b4 you know it

Thank you guys so much. I will do my best and hang in there I know it will be worth it in the end!! 7 days until "B"day!!