Did your Doc require a pre-op diet?

So confusing with the pre-op diets i'm waiting to hear back from my insurance company my case is pending and hopefully will have a surgery date soon. I don't think my surgeon puts his patients on a 2 week liquid diet but i did hear he might be starting that soon.

I don't understand about the liver thing is that why they want you on a liquid diet prior to surgery? also do liquids means jello, both, protien shakes etc? that must be a living nightmare no solids prior? then again liquids after for almost a month yikes, but i feel that with the right mindset and will power to be thin we'll do what ever it takes.

It's been almost 2 yrs since i've interested in the lapband so i am soooooooooo so ready for this.

good luck to everyone out there.

hey lucky you

because I just went to see the Dietician & psychologist this week over at BIDMC I was told to loose at least 15 lbs

I didn't really care about the liver thing (well I did, but not really) until I watched the "live" surgery linked in these forums. You can actually see the liver and how it would get in the way. I've been MUCH better about my pre-op diet since seeing that!

The plan I am on requires me to be on a four week 960 cal Optifast program prior to surgery.

wow tinidad 4 weeks prior, I know i have a hard time with a 12 hr fast for blood work yikes!!!!! I hope i don't have to do 4 weeks i know it's almost 4 weeks post op on liquids.

Thanks for the info

Yes. 3 slim fasts per day and one small piece of lean protein and a veggy for dinner. Broths, SF Jello, etc unlimited.

wow tinidad 4 weeks prior, I know i have a hard time with a 12 hr fast for blood work yikes!!!!! I hope i don't have to do 4 weeks i know it's almost 4 weeks post op on liquids.

Thanks for the info

Be strong! The four weeks prior, while challengeing, has helped to put me in the right mindset as well as to jump start on weight loss. In week one, I dropped 10 lbs alone. I know this liquid regime will contimue after the surgery, but I am now prepared for it and will appreciate the food when I can eat again, in any quantity.

My doctor told me he would like me to lose 10% of my body weight prior to surgery. That was a month ago. What I found out today is that he won't do the surgery until I lose it, so it was more than "I'd like you to.....". I wish he'd let me know it was a mandate & not a suggetion that I try. I was eating 800-1000 calories/day for the first three weeks after that initial appointment. I was down 7 lb.! Then I got discouraged because I started to retain fluid & I blew it. So I gained the whole 7 lb. back again & now I'm starting over. So now I decided I'm going on a liquid diet until I lose it..... Optifast, tomato juice, coffee, water. I'm discouraged & a little angry, I guess. I told the nurse coordinator, "If I could drop that much weight, why would I be pursuing this surgery??" I want to have the surgery ASAP because we go south for the winter!

:faint::help::omg::angry

Doc wants me to lower my BMI closer to 50 before surgery, so I have been on Optifast for about 3.5 weeks (5/10). It was a bit hard in the beginning, but I have been sticking really close. If I do cheat, I am sure to do it with some green veggies. Cumcumbers and Celery have been dear friends. I have also started walking just about 15 mins three times a day. Doc said if I can lose the weight my liver will be healthier. This will make the sugery easier for him and me. So I have been working hard on it no doubt.

Phyl,

I just read you post completely. The same sort of thing happened to me. I had my consult with the Doc, and he said he wanted me on the Optifast for a "couple" of weeks. I went to my PCP to have my pre-op physical, and called my PA to ensure they got the results, and she told me that I needed to get my BMI down to around 50. I was really bummed. I told the Doc that if i could lose that much I would not need the band. They did offer to do the surgery at my present weight but it would cost me $6K more that the $13.5K they advertised. I am of course paying out of pocket as my insurance will not cover WLS.

Well, I know its for my benefit so I've resigned mself to the idea of limiting my diet to Optifast, some green veggies, maybe some strawberries & occassional tomato juice.

For the pre op, do most Dr's basically want you to do the liquid diet like we do after surgery?

I went to do my pre-op exam, blood work, EKG, etc. and met with the nutritionist, she told me to start the pre-op tomorrow which would consist only of 2 shakes a day, a sandwich with either turkey, roast beef or chicken breast (lunch meat), a small piece of fruit, yogurt, smoothies, water and low shake and go drinks. Oh I almost forgot sugar free popsicles or jello. Nothing else. I guess with a meal plan like that, I am sure to drop pounds and shrink my liver to. I am looking foward to it though because I could stand to lose a few pounds because I am attending a wedding on June 30th, that's right after my surgery. I guess that will be my test, I will just be off of the 1 week post op diet by then and on mushie foods. Wish me luck.

Well, I know its for my benefit so I've resigned mself to the idea of limiting my diet to Optifast, some green veggies, maybe some strawberries & occassional tomato juice.

Hi,

Not sure where you live, but my doctor in Ontario didn't say I had to lose so much weight pre-op but had to shrink my liver (makes it easier to get to the stomach). This entailed two weeks of Opt-Fast and 225 calories per day of low glycemic vegetables (raw or steamed) per day such as lettuce, cucumber, celery, broccoli, cabbage, kale, spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, radishes, green onions and zucchini just to name a few. No

peas or carrots.

Tomato juice is high in sodium so not sure that is a good choice. Chrystal light added to a Water bottle is great also.

Had my surgery yesterday and it's worth it.

Keep plugging away p it does get easier.

My insurance is requiring a 3mon Dr. regulated diet. Has anyone had to diet so long?