For financial reasons (this is the honest to goodness truth),I was not able to start my pre-op diet last week. I'm having surgery November 3rd. I will be starting my diet tomorrow but has anyone else ever been through this,as far as not being able to do the full 2 week diet before surgery?

I only did 9 days preop just because i was in such a hurry to schedule my surgery. Dr Benavedes let me do it. I had my surgery last wednesday 10/22

My doctor only required i wk of pre op liquid diet. That was difficult enough. Do try to start because you don't wnat your liver so enlarged that they open you up only to close you back without your band. Good luck

Yes, I did not start until 1 week before surgery they did not weigh me or anything they just want you to know that your liver has shrunk and you will be able to handle the diet after surgery. there are some really resonable protien shakes out there what kind did you get?

I am getting banded on 10/29/08 and my surgeon doesn't require any type of pre-op diet. He just doesn't want me to gain any weight prior to surgery.

Tell your doctor. I didn't do my "three week" preop diet exactly as prescribed, partly because of reading posts here about how people didn't have to do it (their docs didn't require it) or people who were supposed to but didn't, etc....and my doctor was unable to place the band because my liver hadn't shrunk. Not that the other people were wrong...for them! LOL (that disclaimer is very important)

SO call your doc and tell him/her. It may not matter, for your situation, or it might make all the difference! Don't feel guilty, though; we're human and life happens. Just tell the truth and let your surgeon make the call! :thumbup:

My doctor does not require a pre-op - he said he will not do the surgery if we gain. I was thinking about doing my own 1 week pre-op, replacing 1 or 2 meals with protein shakes.

My doctor does not require a pre-op - he said he will not do the surgery if we gain. I was thinking about doing my own 1 week pre-op, replacing 1 or 2 meals with protein shakes.

RestlessMonkey-what kind of preop diet were you supposed to be on? Did you stray just a little and they couldn't do the surgery? I'm on 5 protein shakes a day and can have SF jello. I'm been hungry the whole time and still have 2 more weeks. I feel kind of dizzy and nauseous and was thinking about having a slice of lunch meat or string cheese but am afraid it will negate what I have done the past week.

Kathyv my doc required a specific protein shake (2-3 a day), 64 ounces (minimum) of water, and 3 oz lean protein (fish turkey or chicken) and 1 cup greens a day. PERIOD. no butter no ketchup no cheese no condiments etc. It was hard. I'd rather have gotten 5 shakes and SF jello! LOL My diet was about 600 cal a day.

I cheated the 1st time by eating differently; I had a "last meal", I had cheese, I had beef. (I'd done atkins before; like many of us I'm a diet professional!) I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks so he didn't know I hadn't done exactly what he said. The next 2 1/2 weeks I followed his diet TO THE LETTER and lost another 17 pounds (much to my amazement) and then my liver had shrunk enough. Some liver shrink diets allow fruit etc so I thought I'd be ok eating the cheese etc the 1st time. I was wrong.!! So .... stick to what your doc says is the best advice. I know you must feel pretty cruddy. I did! But I have to be honest and tell you it feels way way worse to come to in recovery and not have the band because your liver is still too fat. That is one low low low feeling. Hang in there! It's worth it! :thumbup:

RM-thanks for the quick response. Okay, okay...I can do this. You're right, I don't want to come out from the anesthesia and find it was all for naught. At one point today I thought maybe lap band wasn't for me because this part really sucks! But long term I know it'll get better. Thanks for the encouragement.

KathyV you're welcome! 2 things...if you are shakey etc call your doctor and see if you CAN add something to the mix! and...post op bandster hell is hard, too, but you are right you DO get through it and it's worth it. The misery is easily forgotten! But don't get shakey and faint; check with your doc. :thumbup: