Hey! Did you go on a voluntary pre-op-esque diet well in advance of surgery? Do you feel it was worth it, in terms of challenge and reward? Or did it just make you frustrated and dread the real pre-op diet?... I'm trying to decide whether I should maintain my weight for now (easy) or try to reduce my BMI a couple points (difficult!). I know a lower BMI is associated with greater success post-op but dieting with a full-size stomach is so freaking hard!

I did an 800 calorie high Protein VLCD for 14 weeks before my actual preop started. Between my pre-pre-op and my regular preop, I lost 45 pounds. I was just sleeved on wednesday and I feel fantastic. My doctors said my liver was perfect and the surgery was very easy. Also, just moving around after surgery I think is easier having that 45 pounds gone..

Also, My doctor had a bmi cut off of 49.. anyone with a BMI of 49 or above had to pay an extra thousand dollars.. So that was an extra incentive for me to reduce my BMI!

Also I feel like living like this for so long has really helped me prepare mentally for the sleeve. I wasn't always perfect and I did take a few "vacation days" during the diet where I ate normally (NOT BINGING)for a few days before starting another round of the VLCD.

I'm about 4 months out from surgery. I have been working to eat around 1500 calories, 5/6 200-300 calorie, high protein low carb, meals a day. I want to loose a good 30-40# before surgery. I feel the first reason is safety, the lower the BMI the better. Second, the lower the number the less I have to loose and the closer the sleeve will assist me in getting to my goal. Third, going from 1500 to eventually 1200 and 1000 for pre op diet then 600-800 post op is going to be easier than jumping from 2000-3000 a day down to 1000 pre op. this time also gives me an opportunity to "screw up". It also gives me an opportunity to retrain myself into some of the areas I will need to be good at after surgery. No more skipping meals, scarfing meals, and over eating meals.

I am currently 7 weeks pre-op. since about 13 weeks pre-op, I have been following a 800-1200 calorie per day plan of 60 G protein, less than 30 g sugars, and trying for 25 g of fiber. It has been tough but I lost about 17 pounds so far. I am frustrated with a current stall and, since the stall, have had days where I didn't track, (didnt binge but ate whatever I wanted to eat). I am not being too hard on myself because, even if the weight loss has slowed, I'm still eating healthy which should only help me during and after surgery. I have never been able to lose and keep it off, that's why I am having the surgery, right? But I did the pre-pre-op diet so that when I have to do it for real, it won't be so hard. Sorry for the long explanation. I hope this helped. Good luck!

I am currently 7 weeks pre-op. since about 13 weeks pre-op, I have been following a 800-1200 calorie per day plan of 60 G Protein, less than 30 g sugars, and trying for 25 g of fiber. It has been tough but I lost about 17 pounds so far. I am frustrated with a current stall and, since the stall, have had days where I didn't track, (didnt binge but ate whatever I wanted to eat). I am not being too hard on myself because, even if the weight loss has slowed, I'm still eating healthy which should only help me during and after surgery. I have never been able to lose and keep it off, that's why I am having the surgery, right? But I did the pre-pre-op diet so that when I have to do it for real, it won't be so hard. Sorry for the long explanation. I hope this helped. Good luck!

I feel your frustration, I stalled for almost three weeks during my long preop too. I know it's normal, but it's still hard when it's happening to YOU!

I feel your frustration' date=' I stalled for almost three weeks during my long preop too. I know it's normal, but it's still hard when it's happening to YOU![/quote']

It really stinks! I was almost in tears at first but now, it just makes me more anxious for May 6 to get here!