I stuck throught the 10-day liquid diet and went in for my surgery, without complications. A girl hat shared my room with me cheated on her liquid phase and they cut her open to put the band in and were unable to get it in because her liver didn't shrink enough. So, it you are thinking about cheating DON'T DO IT. I felt so bad for her, because she had to get cut open for nothing. The liquid diet is ROUGH but it's important to stick with hit.

Oh my goodness, so far I havent cheated and really have no desire, after reading this I know for sure Im not going to cheat. Im on day 5 and have been doing really well so far. I made myself drink a protein drink this morning because I really wasnt hungry but I know the key to getting thru this is to not let myself get to the point where Im hungry and lose control. Do you know if they plan on trying to do her surgery later? :mad:

Laura.....I've always heard that was a possibility but never heard of it actually happening!! Thanks for the reminder to the newbies!

Monica....you make a good point...we have to learn to do what's right , not just what we are physically are emotionally programmed to do - that's what got us in this mess to begin with! I have learned that one important key to living happily ever after with the Band is to "never get too hungry or too full" - either one of those spells trouble!

They are going to re-try in a couple of months, I really felt bad for her. I posted her story so that other who are tempted to cheat don't do it.

Laure I heard a similar story from my doctor.

How sad for her.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz and he has a nutritionist who gives you guidance on the pre-band diet. Well, apparently some patients had emailed her and confessed they'd fallen off the wagon and she reassured them it was ok. Dr. Ortiz was so disappointed to see their fatty slippery livers, that he made her come into surgery and see what blowing the diet looks like! wow...and yuck! So she really stresses the importance of following the diet, for her benefit, too. A good surgeon CAN work around a fatty liver. But apparently the surgery is faster and there is more accuracy if the organs are easily maneuverable.

Today is Day 7 of my 15-day liquid diet pre-op phase and I'll be honest, "cheating" has entered my thoughts a few times... but I have NOT cheated... and this post will definitely ensure that I don't. I can't imagine having the constant physical reminders of my failure scarred onto my skin. Wow. Thanks for the powerful reminder!

Laure, thanks so much for this post. That is so frightening and I appreciate the heads up on this information. I do feel bad for that woman though because I know how hard it is do fight those cheating and craving demons.

michelle,

what type of liquid diet did your dr. put you on? was it clear liquids or full liquids? i guess i'm asking if you're drinking things like cream of chicken soup or just juices and such.

Laure and others,

I am scheduled to be banded on June 7, my appointment with the doctor and dietician is tomorrow. I have read different things about the liquid pre opt diet, but then I heard of others who only had to fast the day before? why do you think this is? I am worried that if my doctor is not one of those that make you go on the liquid program, then this will happen. I will asking this question for sure tomorrow! Any thoughts?

I am actually looking forward to a liquid diet, yah, I say that now because I am still eating, but I feel it will give me a boost on the weight loss! I am sure I will struggle, but if this is what I need to do, I will after reading this.

I will let you know what he says.

Janine

michelle,

what type of liquid diet did your dr. put you on? was it Clear liquids or full liquids? i guess i'm asking if you're drinking things like cream of chicken Soup or just juices and such.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz and he has a nutritionist who gives you guidance on the pre-band diet. Well, apparently some patients had emailed her and confessed they'd fallen off the wagon and she reassured them it was ok. Dr. Ortiz was so disappointed to see their fatty slippery livers, that he made her come into surgery and see what blowing the diet looks like! wow...and yuck! So she really stresses the importance of following the diet, for her benefit, too. A good surgeon CAN work around a fatty liver. But apparently the surgery is faster and there is more accuracy if the organs are easily maneuverable.

I am scheduled in one month and you post has made me more determined not to cheat. Do you know of anyone they would not do the surgery on because they did not lose the prescribed weight? How was your experience with Dr. Ortiz? I have hear a lot of great reviews and then others who say they wish they would have done it here in the states because of after care ? What do you think.

ja9va -- not all doctors have the same pre-surgery rules. I was simply told to cut back on carbs and fat but my understanding was that higher BMI patients at my surgeon's office had stricter rules. Some doctors base it on your BMI and your eating habits. Don't be freaked out by one scary story. This person who was used as an example may well have been eating fried foods and chocloate sundays, day in and day out until surgery. The important thing is to follow YOUR doctor's rules.

Janine,

Let me know what your doctor says about a pre-op diet. I'm also being banded June 7th, but was not given any information or orders for a pre-op diet, only "nothing by mouth after midnight". If doing something to shrink my liver before surgery would make things easier, then that's what I want to do. I would just like to know exactly what type of diet most MDs are recommending. Thanks.

Marlynn Creel

Thanks for posting this! I start my pre-op liquid diet this Friday. I will keep this post in mind when I get tempted!

Marlynn,

I had my appointment yesterday, boy was it long. I will give you only the diet information on here, but check out the June bandsters and you will get more on my visit. I typed way to much!!!

I have to be on 14 days, starts this Thursday. 2 meals consist of Protein drinks; specifically slimfast with protein or carnation with skim milk( blue box). I can have the third meal of 4 oz of lean turkey/chicken, non starchy vegies and one fruit from a specific list. Lots to drink of course!

I am trying to see what I should eat for dinner and lunch today!! Something good, but not over do it.

tell me what you find out. In my informational meetings at the hospital ed center,after my appoitnment with the doctor, there were a mix of patients from my surgical group and another. The only difference in our pre opt diet, is the other group could also have two slices of low carb, high Fiber, bread. But not me!

The doc did stress the importance of shrinkign the liver and showed me on the model what the liver looks like, where it is and what can happen if you don't shrink it. He said he would stitch me up and not do it if it appeared I did not follow the diet as listed!

Stress but excitement!

Janine

Janine,

Thanks for the information. It will be very beneficial to me. Like I said, I was not given a pre-op diet to follow, but will go by this if it will help the cause. Thanks again, and good luck.

Marlynn