Hi, I was just curious if any of you started trying to lose weight before your band was in place? My surgery is set for Sept 25th and I figure by then I could possibly lose a few pounds. You know to kinda get the ball rolling....I'm really good at losing on the Atkins diet, the only thing is I can't seem to make a life time eating habit out of it. Or maybe I should try the liquid diet thing for the next 20 days....Anyways, just wondering if it's a good idea or not. I want this surgery done yesterday!

Hi again Coal,

I lost 30 lbs in 9 months leading up to my surgery, largely by following a high-protein regimen. I didn't avoid carbs altogether but really strictly limited Pasta, bread, potatoes, and sugar.

I can't see a downside to starting to lose weight now, unless you think there might be a problem with insurance coverage. My BMI dropped by almost 3 points over the last year and if I'd kept going I could have dipped below 40 and jeopardized my insurance coverage.

And it was impossible to make a lifetime eating habit out of it, I agree. The 30 lbs came off pretty quickly in the first 4 months, but then it was enough hard work to maintain it. No question--I need my band buddy to help me out!

Thank you, wow 30 lbs is enough to get you going good. I'm thinking about starting Atkins I was just worried mainly about getting into ketosis when i have the bloodwork done but i guess i can get out of it just for the labwork. Nice to meet you btw.

I was leary of going on an extreme diet or adding vitamins or supplements to my diet pre-surgery beacuse I wanted to ensure my blood work was in check. If I was on Atkin's when they drew blood and then stopped it a week or so before surgery, my chemistry was going to be different. I don't know if it would make a difference in a life threatening situation but I didn't want to take a chance.

hi coal!

i also got started early with weight loss. it cant hurt right? well i will say i definitaly struggled to maintain what i had lost. i started *dieting* june 1 - august 4. i'll even say i felt like i was missing out on the 'last meal' cause i didnt want to regain what i had struggled to lose on my own! with your surgery already being scheduled and only 22 days away you wont have the stress of wondering if youll get approved. that was a rough time for me!

if you get started early its just that much more that you wont have to lose once banded!! do you have a pre op diet? i lost 8 lbs on my pre op diet! and 15 in the 2 weeks since banding.

when on my liquid diet i did adtkins. i bought 'designer whey' Protein shakes they are carb free and sugar free. oh yeah taste free too. i had stawberry flavored and add 1 splenda for sweetness.

good luck!

Hi Shelly, what a beautiful name! in fact it's my name too. *L* actually it's michelle but i go by shellie. You say you did Atkins while on the liquid phase...what all did you have besides the protein shakes? I have some carbolite shakes in there but I'm worried that I won't be able to stand only being limited to those. blah! I don't know if i have a pre-op diet or not, no one has bothered to tell me. I was wanting to do liquid for the next twenty days but that lasted about half a day! I'm so weak.