I feel overwhelmed by the protein, liquid, mushies diets. I feel like I am going to mess it up, but I am writing everything down that I will need and when. Am I making it too hard? Were you worried?

Just do what your surgeon says, per his timetable. For me it wasn't overwhelming at all...there wasn't much room for error unless I just flat ignored his direction. Water, clear broth, and sugar free Jello....hard to confuse that! or my preop 2-3 of a specific Protein shake each day, 64 oz of water, and 3 oz lean fish chicken or turkey and 1 cup green veggie each evening. No way could I confuse that.

I think you are reading everyones conflicting info and maybe getting confused. Each surgeon tweaks things to suit himself (or herself).

So do what YOUR SURGEON says, not what I had to do, or some other poster, etc, and you'll be fine!

Right. Maybe it's time to sign off and go back to the big book he gave me and review it. I'm sure it is very similar to what you listed.

Before surgery I read everything a million times and knew everything. After surgery it was like they removed a portion of my brain because even though I had explicit guidelines I felt like I was lost. If it wasn't for my mother I probably wouldn't had ate at all. She made my Protein shakes and asked me what I wanted to eat and just did it for me. Once I started worrying less about what and when I needed to eat I naturally started to eat the way I was supposed to. I just wound myself up so tight about following the rules, I made them way too hard. Of couse I'm not saying that this will apply to you, but it was just my own experience.

To me the key is getting in all your Protein wether it be from food sources or shakes and then worry about everything else. I try to get in around 15-25 grams of lean protein 3 times a day and then I allow myself to add other foods to that meal--mostly veggies, sometimes Beans or salads. If I'm on the run or falling short on protein for the day I'll add a shake. Just concentrating on one thing made the whole process so much easier on me.

I too was so nervous.. but don't sweat it!! I still have cases of isopure that I will never ever drink because I personally think they taste like fruit flavored feet. You just need to worry about keeping hydrated. I was not hungry at all after surgery and it was so easy to follow the diet. If you have any questions during the phases you can call your nutritionist. Mine was really helpful. Just remember you are going to do great! Good luck!

Ah, at last, I don't feel alone. LOL! :cool2: Yeah, I feel totally confused but I am trying to take things one day at a time. I started my pre-op diet today but that's not what confuses me. It's the post op-diet that makes me nervous. I did some research and it seems that just as many doc's have different pre-op diets, they too have different post-op diets. I don't live in the town where my surgeon is located but when I go for my pre-op appointment the day before my surgery, I'm going to ask a million questions and take lots of notes. Besides, if I miss a little detail or something, I know I can always call them or ask someone on LBT. :cursing: Good luck!

Hello ! I am so glad I found this site. Today is day 1 of my pre-op diet. (My surgery is scheduled for 10/15/2008.) My doctor has me on two weeks of Optifast starting today. So far, I have only been able to force down one serving of it. It's not horrible, awful, just not tasty. And I am hungry. Next week I have to drive for business -- about 6 hour round trip -- and I am worried that by then I will be virtually worthless because of hunger/lack of solid food. What was it like for those of you who have already completed the two-week pre-op diet?? Thanks for all replies.

I felt the same way at first. The week before I was banded I started looking at it a different way. I wrote out what the doctor suggested for the first 14 days and just shopped for that time period. After that I stopped thinking about what I shouldn't eat and started concentrating on what I was allowed to eat at the stage that I was at. That seems to help me focus on the stage I was at and not get overwhelmed by the whole concept of everything. I had my first fill and had to go back to liquids for a few days. I had put that stage so far behind me that I had to look back at the food list from the surgeon. Just take a deep breath and go one week/ or stage at a time.