Would you recommend gradually starting the pre-op diet before the 2 wks to help with the withdrawal rather than starting it all of a sudden?

I waited until the day I had to start. I didn't stop early. I had my favorite meal the night before actually. I did fine on the pre-op diet without changing my eating habits prior. You'll hear mixed reviews on this one but for me, the way I did it worked. Good luck.

I gave up caffeine three months before because it was going to be hardest for me. I also began practicing eating smaller frequent meals and making better food choices. I found a Protein shake I liked and began drinking it for Breakfast. My insurance required a pre-op weight loss and practicing helped me lose 13 pounds. I figured that was 13 pounds I wouldn't have to lose afterward - sort of a headstart. I felt it was an advantage to be mentally and physically prepared for my surgery but that was strictly my choice. As with anything it was one choice but not the ONLY choice - everyone must do what works best for them.

And I am not claiming to have been religiously eating well the whole three months before my surgery. I had my share of 'last suppers' and 'food funerals' beforehand, maybe as often as once a week. I didn't let it get out of control, though. Good luck! :-)

Thanks! It's good to see someone else who started at the same weight as I am Terry. I'm 5' 6" and wrote down 150 as my goal weight because I figured I couldn't get any lower than that. Your posts are encouraging! Thank you! My weight kept at 130 all throughout High School and that was with playing softball. I was not 'overweight' back then. In Jr. High is was around 113. I wish I had an awareness of my body and how fit/good looking it was back then, maybe I would have kept it off. But that was the past and now I move forward!

About two and a half months prior to surgery I found MyFitnessPal.com and began recording everything I ate. My surgeon needed me to lose 20 pounds prior to surgery to guarantee that he could do a laproscopic procedure, I did not want an open procedure, so it was a big motivator. I lost 39 pounds prior to surgery. I really believe that any changes you can make BEFORE surgery help hugely on the other side. I also found a protein shake I liked. I found a recumbent elliptical at the YMCA that I could do. I weighed over 330 pounds and had horrible knee and back pain, by the time I had my surgery, the pain was much better. I was able to walk around the floor the evening following my surgery. By the time I had to start my two week liquid diet, I had been off caffeine for a month, was not eating out, and was making very conscious eating decisions. All of this has played into the success that I have had. I am just over 10 months post surgery and have lost nearly 190 pounds. I am hoping to hit a 200 pound lost by my surgerversary on June 25. For me, the choices I made leading up to surgery laid the groundwork for success following surgery. Best of luck to you!! It's still a lot of work, but life is SO much better this year than last! It's worth it!!

I stopped drinking diet soda four months before surgery and I watched what I ate and worked out and lost forty pounds. This number includes my two week liquid diet too.

My surgeon required that I loose fifteen pounds before surgery to help reduce fatty liver. I would say that the majority of us have fatty livers and that's why we have to loose the weight prior to surgery to make it easier for the surgeon to do the surgery.

I wish you the best of luck with your up coming surgery.

I just followed my surgeons guidelines to avoid any complications. So I would say follow what your doc says. Good luck!

For me it was cold turkey on the first day of the pre-op diet. Up until day three I was miserable, after that it was all good. Caffeine withdrawal headache was gone and everything. I think it's a personal decision.