Hi Everyone!

I am sure this have been thought of prior to me but I wanted to share some ways I am surviving the liquid diet.

My Dr. put me on the carnation Breakfast diet and I have been getting bored with chocolate and French vanilla (strawberry was aweful...in my opinion) So I went to the baking section of the grocery store and purchased flavored extracts. The orange extract mixed with the French Vanilla taste like a Dream Sycle. The banana is delicious!!! Peppermint extract, French Vanilla Carnation and warmed milk for breakfast...so good!! There are tons of flavors to choose from.

All you need is a couple of dropped so I dont think it's adding more than 5 or 10 calories but it helps to get through the diet and add some variety.

I hope this helps everyone. I am sure you could add the extracts to your vanilla Protein shakes too!!!

Surgery 10/16/08 - Whoo hoo!!!

Hi debbietx, I got my band placed 10/24/08. Doing pretty well for post-op day 1. Im drinking the unjury protein shakes. They taste good. I got chocolate, vanallia, and strawberry sherbert. I have to have 3 protein shakes and 1 snack for 1 week. How is everything with you? Oh by the way my Dr. put me on clears the day before sugery and i had to use phospho soda oral saline laxative.

Hey jm!! I'm doing real well today this is day 12 of liquids and it has gotten easier as the days go bye.

I'm glad to here that you are doing good after being banded on 10-24 with no complications. Are you able to get all of that protien down with no problems? I have surgery wed's at 7:30 am i will let you know how it goes. Good luck to you and keep up the good work

I am on day one of a 4 week liquid diet. I tried optifast years ago and had some success (about 25 lbs in 2 months) so I'm thinking this won't be so bad. My doctor said for me to do 3 weeks, but the dietician said I could do an extra week if I wanted. I can have unlimited broth soups, anyone have some ideas? Right now I am just drinking regular chicken or beef broth, but it is not that great.

Hi. I LOVE Mexican food and spicy things. When I had to drink the chicken and beef broth I put HOT salsa in my wire strainer and just the liquid drained into the broth. It made it spicy good. Much easier for me to handle. If you don't like salsa or spicy things, this might not be something you want to try - but it worked for me. Good luck. Becky

Hello Everyone, you have interesting suggestions on the pre-op dieting. I am new to this and I am having my Band on 11-11-2008, and today starts my first pre-op dieting for 14 days, I need all the help and encouragement I can get. Thanking you in advance for you support.

Hi Tammy, I am new too. My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 25th. I am so ready! I am nervous about the pre and post op diets. I have heard the post op diet is a hard time to get through....but I know it can be done.

I wonder why there is so much variance in the pre-op diets. The one given to me by my dr. allows for a choice of items for Breakfast (yogart, egg (boiled or poached), piece of fruit etc.), a Protein drink mid morning, 4 oz of lean meat and a green veggie for lunch, and Protein drinks the rest of the day. You can throw in sugar free popsicle or yogart as an afternoon snack. And have Soup type broth anytime.

Seems that some of the diets are LOTS more restrictive. I'm having trouble just on the one I have. How are ya'll doing on the more restrictive diets?

I started mine Monday the 27th. Yesterday was a bit rough on me. But I did discover if you drink a broth (I did strained chicken noodle soup) that it really helped. The warmth from the soup seemed to settle my stomach after so many of the protein drinks. I think I'm gonna just add that to my nightly regimen.

Hi Marcus,

Nice to meet you! I am starting my pre-op diet Wed the 5th. It is a low cal diet for one week and then one week of clear liquids and protein shakes. I am nervous and very excited. What do you have to do before your surgery?

My pre-op diet looks like the Atkins diet - no carb/low carb - for 1 week before suregery. After surgery looks like a progression from clear to "full liquids" over the course of to 2 weeks. It is all still pretty gray for me ....still looking for clarity. Has anyone journaled their lives before during and after - including what they consumed? Would be interested to read that.

Wow I'm truly thankful that I only have to do I 5 day diet which consists of 9 oz of protein and all the clear Liquids I can drink. I have however found a low Carb Protein shakes I LOVE!!! They are the EAS Advantedge Carb Control Ready to drink shakes they are 17gms of Protein and less that 1-2 grams of sugar and jam packed with Vitamins. I love the Cafe' Carmel. They are also around 110 Calories. I got hooked on them because sometimes after the gym I get Hungry and they are high in protein or when your on your way home it's nice to have as a in between meal so you are not ready to eat the fridge when you get home.

Hi Heather, thanks for the post. Where do you buy your EAS shakes from? Is this for your pre-op diet? Thanks, Marcus

Hi Heather, thanks for the post. Where do you buy your EAS shakes from? Is this for your pre-op diet? Thanks, Marcus

I buy them at Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart & Target has them I wouls also assume you can buy them at any GNC. They are not cheap but they taste great ... no grit.. no grime.

A great protein shake that does not make you gag (and has quite the flavor too) is a new product called Gotein. Just mix one of the sticks in a bottle of water and you are good to go. Check it out on Gotein, Protein to Go