Background: I'm having a DS 7 years post VSG. The VSG worked really well for a few years, but I slowing gained most of my weight back. I'm seeing the same surgeon for "part ll" which is the DS. She's very supportive.

I had my second meeting with my surgeon and nutritionist today. The nutritionist essentially forbade everything but animal protein, non-starchy vegetables, 2 fruits per day max. Why this extreme diet prior to surgery? If we could lose weight on our own, read: eating the way mentioned above, we wouldn't need surgery!

I weighed 397 pounds when I started this journey in March 2016 with the six month pre-op diet program that was required by my insurance. I immediately started following a low carb/high protein/high healthy fat diet. I started at 2000 calories per day and worked my way down to 1200 calories per day for the last 2-3 months before surgery. I lost 99 pounds during that time, weighing 298 on the day of surgery.

I will always be thankful for that six months. It allowed me to redefine my relationship with food BEFORE the surgery and the major changes to my body. It allowed me to get my head in the right place BEFORE the physical needs of my body had to take precedence. It allowed me to get serious about the severity of my issues BEFORE the changes became a life or death situation.

Yes, I needed the surgery to have a sustainable change (I am 16 months post-op, have lost 225 pounds total, and am maintaining nicely at 173 pounds at 6'0" -- 7 pounds below goal), but also yes, I could lose weight on my own.

I urge you to make the most of that time. It made the post-op process so much easier for me.

Good luck!

I had my RNY July 2, 2013. My Preop was Prtein drinks for 2 weeks and Postop 4 weeks of Protein drinks. To be honest I was so ready to stop my merry go round I really didn't have a hard time either pre or post. I was honestly afraid not to follow my guidelines because I didn't want him to decide not to do my surgery. postop I was terrified I would do something that would undo it. I am so glad m mind was at this setting. Good Luck

Thanks to you both for excellent replies. They've changed my perspective!