Hi,

I have approx 3wks top go b4 my band, I am getting a little nervous but mainly excited at my new life ahead of me. I am really struggling though with the pre-op diet. If I could stick to something so rigid I would not need a band.!!! Does any-one have any suggestions for me and even though I have read the literature can someone explain the reasons behind such a strict diet?? Would be really grateful for any help.

I just started my pre-op diet too. My surgery date is 2/15, when is yours? What are you doing for pre-op diet...seems there are several options.....

The pre op diet is supposed to shrink the liver so that is can be lifted up during surgury. If the liver is too big, they sometimes will not band the patient. I wanted to know the same thing myself and watched the video of how they do the surgery. Then I "saw" why my liver needed to be smaller and I didn't cheat on my pre op.

Here is the link if you want to watch it!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band&hl=en

For me I think it also helped with emotionally detaching from food. Changing my relationship with food until it didn't bother me anymore.

Hi D, My name is Susannah, and I am getting banded this coming friday. I am day 18 of the liquid diet. It is hard, but I suggest that you keep yourself really busy with different activities that you enjoy. The first week is the hardest. I found that my body adjusted to the Optifast in the second week and it was muh easier. I am nearly there, and I haven't cheated once.

Where are you getting banded?

Susannah

Hi all,

My surgery date is 19th FEB. I was told ok to do other Meal Replacement if I wanted. I am getting done in Queensland Australia. I watched the video site that you suggested wow that is amazing and certainly gives you a new perspective on the surgery and pre-op diet!!!! It has definately changed my view on the diet. THANK-YOU . Good luck to all. This is a new beginning after a very long and hard road travelled.

Well done dionnem - hang in there. The video really helped me too. Some of the other things that helped me when I was stuggling on the pre-op diet were:

1. to stop and think about what your new life will be like, picture the wonderful health and things that you'll be able to do / do better. Take time to be thankful for the opportunity you have, for the people who make it possible, for those who support you, and also to congratulate yourself on how far you've come so far.

2. to take time to "feed your inner health" - with a sit in the sun, a short walk outside, some nice music etc...

3. good old fashioned diversion tactics - find something more interesting to do or take a change of scene (if you can)

Maybe some of these ideas will give you a spark of inspiration... ...keep going, not long now!