My pre-op diet starts today. I met with the Nutritionist at my surgeons office yesterday. My diet is 3 weeks. YEP three weeks and get this they want you to do it all on Optifast. Needless to say I had some problems with that especially since for three weeks the price would have been $488. I told them I don't have $500 just laying around to buy shakes, Soups and bars. They actually tried to justify it by saying this is what you would spend for food shopping and we ask you to put it towards the product. I don't know about any of you but I don't spend $500 for food and I have three people in my house... and I guess my other family members are not suppose to eat within that three weeks?

Anyway after they realized that wasn't going to happen I received a more realistic or as they call it "Modified Low Carb 1200 Cal Diet Plan". I wouldn't have been able to use Optifiast anyway because it has artifical sweeteners and that gives me terrible headaches.

So my questions Lap Band Sisters what type of pre-op diet do you have to do and for how long?

Well first let me say good job about letting them know about your concerns with only Optifast, but make sure to stick to the 1200 calorie plan!!!!! My pre-op was 14 days, 3 shakes per day, along with 2 meals with 4oz lean protein, and fruit. NO sugar, LOW fat, LOW carbs. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. But it was worth it, I lost 10 pounds, and it prepared me for life after the band. Now afterwards you can only do liquids/shakes for a couple of weeks most likely so yes it is a sacrifice, but it is well worth it. The alternative would be risking slippage or other internal problems, the diet is there for a reason. You can do it!

I'm sticking with the plan to the word. My plan is three shakes a day, 64oz water or flavored selza and one meal which consist of 4oz of lean poultry (6 oz if I eat a white fish, like Talipa) and 1 cup of cooked non starch vegetables. Oh yeah I can also have five squirts of I can't belive it is not butter and 1 tsp of olive oil. Today is the first day and i'm not going to lie it is a challenge, but nothing I can't manage. I'm so committed to this new life I will do what I have to.....

1200 calorie for me from day one with nutritionist, so it will be like 7-8 months on it. Not hard to do after the first week

Good Luck, you will be just fine. I have to do 1 wk pre-op. I'm eating SF Jello; SF popsicles, broth, high protein shake for breakfast & lunch and a sensible dinner - portion of lean meat and veggie or salad.

This is my third day, I had a slight headache yesterday and have been hungry for dinner at all. I've been eating a bite or two (very unusual for me). I think I'm just nervous!!

Good Luck!

first, I just returned from a 4Day cruise to the Bahamas and I did great with my eating. I did gain any weight. I eat mostly from the Spa menu.

I started started my pre-op diet and I have found it very difficult. 2 shakes and a light meal. The problem is that being a diebetic I forgot to have my doctor adjust my medication and I am having low glucose issues (hunger, shakes, etc.) I will contact him asap on Monday so I can make the best of this diet.

WOW! $500 for 3 weeks? We pay around $50 for a pack of 21 shakes here (Australia), so 3 weeks would be just under $150 - that is if you have to have all 3 meals replaced (I do). Sorry to hear it costs so much there.