Since I have to wait until October 7 for my seminar, I thought I would mentally prepare myself for whatever is coming through this process. And I have read about this liquid diet that they put you on pre-op...is it like Medifast? Or something else that I am not familiar with? I remember a friend used to do something called Cambridge diet that was liquid as well.

Please let me know what pre-op diet your doctor put you on and for how long...was it unlimited liquids or specific amounts? And what brand? I just want to be mentally prepared for whatever might come my way on this journey. I always do better in coping if I feel like I know what to expect.

I should mention that I have never done a liquid diet in my life, so the idea stresses me out a bit. The closest I've come is the prep that you do for a colonoscopy, and that was only for one day. Besides which, it wasn't really a diet, it was prep for the procedure. Also, I have two small children and the idea of chasing them while on a liquid diet is a bit scary.

Thanks in advance!

Kathleen

Honestly each surgeon is different and you may not even have to do a preop diet. I vote don't worry about it unless your surgeon prescribes one for you.

I agree with the above post, but my preop diet was 2 weeks. I had a protein shake for breakfast with 4 oz fruit, for lunch I had a lite and fit yogurt and an ounce of nuts, mid afternoon another shake with fruit, dinner 4oz protein, 4oz veggies and 1/2 cup of startch (only good startch, nothing white) before bed I could have another protein shake without fruit. Hope this helps, I lost 10 lbs in two weeks prior to surgery.

I was on a liquid diet for 2 weeks pre op.. optifast 4 small juice boxes of it a day and a optifast bar. I was really worried about it because I was afraid I would be hungry and fail.. But I wasn't hungry on it.. it was fine. I did get a little hungry the second week and called the nutritionist and she allowed salad with balsamic vinegar and 3oz of tuna a day that really helped. It was not as bad as I had worried. I just kept thinking I wanted this surgery to save my life! I could do two weeks of dieting so I wouldn't have to diet for the rest of my life! It is amazing how great I feel and you will look back and realize how easy it was. You can do it. Just remember you can do anything to be there for your kids. You will be adding years to your life by losing weight and this was my inspiration. Good luck and God bless!

Hi,

My surgery date is 9/16. I have been on the Pre-op Diet for 10 days. My surgeon requires 2-3 Protein drink per day with 2 high protein meals. I usually start my day with a shake on the way to work. Then at lunch eat a salad with some type of lean meat - and FF dressing. Then about 3:00 p.m. or so I have another Protein Drink. For dinner, I usually eat something grilled - like fish or chicken with a veggie (squash, green Beans, brocolli). Any veggie that is low in carbs. Portion control is important. Stick to whatever 1 serving size is. I have another shake later in the evening if I get hungry. I am using the EAS Advant drinks. You can get them in the grocery stores. They were approved by my surgeon. Eat Slow and chew well at mealtime. That will help get you ready for later in the post op diet. Every surgeon has different requirements. This Pre-op diet is not as restrictive as some. Good Luck, and I hope this helps.

HI! What a good question! I came here months ago - before I even met a surgeon to feel out the Water and what I was getting into... so KUDOS to you!

I am on a pre-op diet - because my doctor requires a 10% loss before he'll operate, and you can't gain any back. His diet is much different than what I would have expected. I do either 3 egg whites, a slice of turkey bacon, and cottage cheese. I should be having an 8 ounce protien shake, but I cleared the above fuller breakfast through the dietician. Salads for lunch or dinner with fat free lo carb dressing, tuna, chicken, salmon, green veggies... and that's about it.

Things that helped me stay focused:

I found that if I posted notes around the house in placed I'd look for a snack, I'd re-evaluate why I was standing at the fridge or in my pantry.

Keep sugar free hard candies in your sweet spots where you go to snack.

Or, if you have a chocolate craving, three semi-sweet chocolate chips... melt one at a time in your mouth because your brain only really enjoys the first three bites of anything anyway... it helps and won't blow all your progress.

A 9x13 of sugar free Jello in the fridge and a spoon ready to slurp it down with - go grab a bite of that when you need cold and sweet or you've done the habitual 'walking to the fridge to see if anything new is there from 10 minutes ago' bit - that's what I used to do when I was bored.

Sugar free popsicles at night are a great treat too.

Make sure you're drinking enough water to help fill your stomach.

When all else fails, find someone to whine at for a moment.

Atkins Advantage protien drinks from Walmart was recommended by my surgeonn. Also EAS Advance drinks as well..NO Slim Fast period, too much sugar.

I hope to get banded this fall. Still waiting on insurance...