Hi,

on LRD and wanted to check that it’s ok to have slim fast for breakfast and lunch and a low carb high protein meal in the evening?
still counting calories etc.

also, supplements and vitamins what and when I should start taking them?

thanks

Edited August 27, 20241 yr by Alip88

Heya!

I think this entirely depends on the plan you have been given by your surgeon/nutritionist/provider - maybe just check with them!

A lot of people's LRD plans are really different, depending on start weight, country, etc.

For example, I am from the UK and I was doing my LRD for 2 weeks, 800 calories a day, but with meal replacements only e.g. New You Plan, Slimfast etc.

Most people say don't worry about taking vitamins etc until after surgery - also depending on how you take them. I was not allowed to take tablets until 3 months post-op, so my vitamins were dissolvable/chewable until recently.

I started taking my vitamins from the day after my surgery

Best of luck!

My NHS offer 3 ways of completing the LRD - all shakes/meal replacements or 2 meals of replacements and 1 of food or all 3 meals actual food. All 3 ways are for 3 weeks and must average between 800-1000 calories. If you’re having food for say dinner, they say you can have a healthy ready meal of approx 300 cals plus a yoghurt of around 100 cals.

As @Bypass2Freedomhas said, different providers seem to have different rules and expectations so I would contact your dietitian or Bariatric department just to double check ?

My LRD is a 12 milk and broth diet. But I went to the latest dietician meeting with me NHS MDT and they said that from three weeks before surgery, I can do soup and yoghurt.

Each NHS trust seems to have different diets. I am assuming you're not in the UK so your doctor will probably say something different.

I think the general consensus is, no to low carbs, no fat, no sugar and keep it at 800 calories a day.

Edited August 27, 20241 yr by NeonRaven8919

1 hour ago, MrsFitz said:

My NHS offer 3 ways of completing the LRD - all shakes/meal replacements or 2 meals of replacements and 1 of food or all 3 meals actual food. All 3 ways are for 3 weeks and must average between 800-1000 calories. If you’re having food for say dinner, they say you can have a healthy ready meal of approx 300 cals plus a yoghurt of around 100 cals.

As @Bypass2Freedomhas said, different providers seem to have different rules and expectations so I would contact your dietitian or Bariatric department just to double check ?

I forget if you have had your surgery or not but if not or for anyone that has not if you are allowed the option of food on the LSD I suggest eating it. I didn’t and between that and the post op liquids it got REALLY old. I was so sick of shakes they made me feel almost ill.

5 hours ago, Alip88 said:

Hi,

on LRD and wanted to check that it’s ok to have slim fast for Breakfast and lunch and a low carb high Protein meal in the evening?
still counting calories etc.

also, supplements and Vitamins what and when I should start taking them?

thanks

What were the guidelines that you were given? If they just gave you a caiorie restriction I don’t see where that would be wrong but I would honestly double check with them. And as I said before keep in mind that you will have to do liquids for a while post op to and the shakes really do get pretty old so if your allowed actual food on the LSD I would choose that option. Up to you what works best though.

Thanks everyone it has helped. I am having mine done privately in the UK in 2 weeks. Really excited but just trying to get my head around what I should and shouldn’t do.
yes they have said I can eat up to 850cal but maximum of 80g carbs each day.

good point about having liquid before and then straight into the liquid diet, might eat more food whilst I can ?

Yes everyone's programs are different for sure and I agree with @ShoppGirl that if you have the option of a meal go with that.

My program was 12 days pre-op diet - the first 10 days were 2 shakes - my team had a guideline for the calorie/carbs/sugar count they should have - and then a lean protein with a non starchy veg dinner. All other diet/no sugar drink options were fine - seltzer, diet soda, tea, black coffee, broth. I think I could have 1/2 cup of milk and a yogurt somewhere in there.

Day 11 was liquids only - shakes, jello, broth. Day 12 was clear liquids only basically broth lol.

Thankfully I was released from the hospital at the pureed stage and did not have a full liquid stage, but even pureed was not it after awhile.

Vitamins and supplements you don't have to really start until after as long as your current bloodwork doesn't show any deficiencies. I had to start chewables only for the first 30 days and then could move to capsules.

3 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

I forget if you have had your surgery or not but if not or for anyone that has not if you are allowed the option of food on the LSD I suggest eating it. I didn’t and between that and the post op liquids it got REALLY old. I was so sick of shakes they made me feel almost ill.

Still pre-op but thanks for the advice @ShoppGirlre what to eat, that’s very helpful ?