I don't have a date yet or anytime soon but I would like to know what the diets are for dr.'s in Mexico please. I'm going to go ahead and try to see if I can do it. My will power is crap!:biggrin0: maybe if I can get through it then I will have more hope to one day get it done! Thanks to anyone!

I am going to Mexico July 12 and this is what they sent me:

PRE-OP DIET - for Dr. Rodriguez

*

The pre-op procedures are done when you get there. EKG, Lab work etc.

Remember not to eat anything on the day you are travelling, except*maybe a light Breakfast.

You have to allow 7 hrs before you get there without food or drink. Water is okay in small quantities.

*

Dr. Rodriguez now requests that*ALL patients do a pre-op diet before surgery.*

*

If your BMI (Body Mass Index) is

30-40 BMI - Pre-Op Diet for 1 week prior to surgery. Your BMI is 32.6 so you could get by with a 5 day pre-op

41 + BMI - Pre-Op Diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery.

(for higher BMI patients, you may be required to be on diet for longer than 2 weeks).

*

IMPORTANT:*The key is to try to keep your carb intake less than 50 grams a day.*

*

The pre-op diet is designed to help you be internally healthier for surgery. The effects are not immediate. It takes about 10 consecutive days before results show up internally. The goal is to have the liver let go of some stored fat.* Some people also call it a liver shrinking diet.* This will mean an easier recovery for you post-op. *

*

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the obese, the liver is a huge, fatty organ. It is ?in the way? of the surgical area during band surgery, and must be held back with surgical instruments. An enlarged liver is very fragile and bleeds quite easily when touched or manipulated during surgery. This bleeding can be difficult to control, and the extra care required with an enlarged liver increases surgical risk, as well as surgical time. Longer surgical time and extended time under general anesthesia can make both immediate and longer-term recovery much more difficult for you. An especially large and fragile liver has even caused some band surgeries to be cancelled, for the safety of the patient.

*

Following this Pre-Op Diet is extremely important. The goal is not to lose weight, necessarily, but to enter a temporary period of dietary ketosis, which is not harmful to you at all. However, many do lose a good amount of weight, which will jump-start your Band weight loss as you begin to regain and improve your health. It is this dietary ketosis that results in liver-shrinking and the normalizing of your metabolism so that you can do well with banding.

Pre-Op Diet:

*

Start with*proper Protein sources (no less than 20 grams of protein per serving with 6 total grams of carbohydrates or less and 6 grams of saturated fats or less per serving), keep a close eye on the fat intake (don?t over do it).* Some choices are lean chicken, turkey, fish,*fresh fruits and vegetables, sugar free jell-o, pudding, Beans.* Please include fresh fruit at least 2 times a day.

*

PLEASE eat *only* solid protein! Choose only a piece of chicken, a lean steak, a hard-boiled egg, or some low-fat cheese. PLEASE: NO mayo, BBQ sauce, ketchup, sweets, junk food, cereals, or anything else.* Even the smallest amount of non-protein, carb-laden food can take you out of ketosis and easily negate many day?s worth of the low carbs that are so greatly decreasing your surgical risk.

*

Those that choose to use a Protein shake, please read the labels. You should try to choose a protein shake with*between*20-30 grams of Protein, less than 6 grams of total Carbohydrates, and less than 6 grams of saturated fat per serving.**

*

Count only the NET CARBS that are on the label, not the ?total? carbs. Please eat and drink NOTHING that is not clearly labeled as to net carb content. With some products, the ?Net Carbs? are called ?Impact Carbs? or ?Effective Carbs?.

Protein shakes are NOT required, but are very convenient. These are just some of the brands that have the correct protein/carb/sat fat ratio:

Iso Pure, Slim Fast LOW CARB,* Designer whey

Your local GNC or other nutrition store will have a variety of drinks and bars to try. We suggest getting one each of several kinds to try before you buy a larger quantity, so you can find some you really like.

Do a web search for ?low-carb Protein Bars? and compare costs, grams of protein, and grams of Net carbs. Online sources are often much less expensive than those found in local stores, and the shipping is often free.

We feel that the Atkins ADVANTAGE and ENDULGE protein bars are excellent, with about 3-4 grams of Net Carbs per bar, but there are several other brands that are fine.

Watch out for things that you would normally not consider food! You must also have NONE of the following things that are full of sugar:

? chewing gum with sugar or carb sweetener

? breath mints

? cough syrup

? hard candy and cough drops.

NOTE: Increasing your water intake for 2 weeks prior to surgery greatly reduces difficulty in starting the IV. Your goal should be to drink enough plain water to keep your urine out-put pale to clear each time you void. Of course, nothing can beat a positive attitude. Deciding that you are "worth it" & willing to learn a new way of life is key.

LIVER-SHRINKING DIET (Pre-op) for patients of Dr. Lopez Corvala.

*

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In the obese, the liver is a huge, fatty organ. It is ?in the way? of the surgical area during weight loss surgery, and must be held back with surgical instruments. An enlarged liver is very fragile and bleeds quite easily when touched or manipulated during surgery. This bleeding can be difficult to control, and the extra care required with an enlarged liver increases surgical risk, as well as surgical time. Longer surgical time and extended time under general anesthesia can make both immediate and longer-term recovery much more difficult for you. An especially large and fragile liver has even caused some weight loss surgeries to be cancelled, for the safety of the patient.

For the time specifically instructed by your Facilitator, please follow the prescribed diet very carefully (usually about 2 weeks? time). We want you to have as easy, safe, and uneventful a surgery and recovery as possible, as you begin your new, HEALTHIER life!

Following this SPECIFIC DIET PLAN is extremely important. The goal is not to lose weight, necessarily, but to enter a temporary period of dietary ketosis, which is not harmful to you at all. However, many do lose a good amount of weight, which will jump-start your* weight loss as you begin to regain and improve your health. It is this dietary ketosis that results in liver-shrinking and the normalizing of your metabolism so that you can do well with your weight loss surgery.

LIVER-SHRINKING DIET PLAN

1. There are NO CALORIE LIMITATIONS on the LIVER-SHRINKING diet. You may eat/drink as much as you wish of the allowed things to feel satisfied, although we suggest reasonable limits to assist your weight loss.

2. A maximum of 40-50 grams of carbohydrates (carbs) a day.

3. You may have as many high-protein/low carb Protein Drinks a day as you wish. No limit!

4. You may add low-carb protein bars up to the max of 40-50 grams of carbs a day.

5. You may have any type, brand, and quantity of protein drinks and protein bars that you wish, as long as you read the labels carefully so you are getting a MAX of 40-50 grams of NET carbs a day.

6. Count only the NET CARBS that are on the label, not the ?total? carbs. Please eat and drink NOTHING that is not clearly labeled as to net carb content. With some products, the ?Net Carbs? are called ?Impact Carbs? or ?Effective Carbs?.

7. You may have as much water, Crystal Light, herbal or regular teas, or coffee as you wish ? but please remember, NO sugar, and NO milk/creamer with high carbs. You must count any carbs here in your daily total of 40-50 grams maximum.

8. Your local GNC or other nutrition store will have a variety of drinks and bars to try. We suggest getting one each of several kinds to try before you buy a larger quantity, so you can find some you really like.

9. We highly recommend*LIFE SUPPORT from Fitness Road/BaritecX which contains both Vitamins and 15 grms protein, call 1-888-348-7623 ask for Mick, he?s an expert.*Tell them BeLiteWeight recommended you and get a gift certificate off your next purchase, they will also send you some samples of their other nutritional products. If you become a member they also*offer weekly* support and monthly conferences**http://www.fitnessroad.com/*

Do a web search for ?low-carb protein bars? and compare costs, grams of protein, and grams of Net carbs. Online sources are often much less expensive than those found in local stores, and the shipping is often free.

We feel that the Atkins ADVANTAGE and ENDULGE bars are excellent, with about 3-4 grams of Net Carbs per bar, but there are several other brands that are fine.

10. PLEASE eat *only* solid protein! Choose only a piece of chicken, a lean steak, a hard-boiled egg, or some low-fat cheese. PLEASE: NO mayo, BBQ sauce, ketchup, sweets, junk food, cereals, or anything else.* Even the smallest amount of non-protein, carb-laden food can take you out of ketosis and easily negate many day?s worth of the low carbs that are so greatly decreasing your surgical risk.

11. Watch out for things that you would normally not consider food! You must also have NONE of the following things that are full of sugar:

? chewing gum with sugar or carb sweetener

? breath mints

? cough syrup

? hard candy and cough drops.

Thank you for following this very important first step toward*your ultimately successful Weight Loss surgery :-)

If you have any questions, please contact your Patient Facilitator.

Examples of good High Protein, Low-Carb drinks and bars:

? Isopure Clear Protein drinks - strawberry, grape, blueberry, Alpine punch ? 0 carbs

? Zero-Carb Isopure Mix ? strawberry, vanilla, chocolate

? Life Support Protein and Vitamin drink (please see above regarding Common sense health & fitness programs, products and information - Fitness Road)

? PRIA Carb Select bars ? 10 gm - very tasty!

? EAS Myoplex protein bars ? 29 gm protein, 2 gm ?Effective? carbs

? Atkins Advantage protein bars ? 17 gm protein, 2 gm ?Net? Carbs. berry Granola, many other flavors

? Pure Protein Bars ? 30 gm protein, 5 gm Net Carbs

? Nitro-Tech Protein Bars ? 35 gm protein, 4 gm Net (Impact) carbs

? Lindora Products ? Lindora Medical Weight Control - they have some good drinks, hot Soups, and protein bars (Caramel Nut is yummy), as well as a Garlic & Onion pack of soy nuts. And they deliver in a couple of days...great stuff there