I am having my surgery on December 16th and I am beginning to prepare everything for it. My doctor does not require a pre-op diet and I was wondering if I could get the information of what it is and how to do it from someone. I would like to do the diet that you all do for a saftey precaution just in case.

If any of you could pass that diet on to me I would really appreciate it!!

Thanks so much!

It is different for almost everyone. My doctor just wanted me on a high protein, low-carb, low-fat diet. Some require a diet of liquid protein shakes. The purpose is usually to try to reduce the size of your liver before surgery.

My doctor does not require a pre-op. I did hear though that if a patient weighs over a certain amount, then he will have them do a pre-op but he said the liver hasn't really been much of an issue for him unless they binge before surgery. He will not do the surgery if anyone gains over a certain amount of weight prior.

roxy, i noticed on your ticker that you've already lost close to 40lbs without the surgery... congratulations!!! my question is how did you it?

Hi Roxy

I have the same date has you.12/16/08,and my doctor have me on a 7 days pre-opt with optfast that I brought from my nutritional.so I guess everbody different.I will keep you in prayer has we get banded on the same day,I have to stay over night .so when I come home I will let you know how it went.:thumbup::thumbup:

My surgery is sched for 12-15-08. Sooo excited. I am however on a pre -op diet. It is a clear liquid diet. Broth, sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, water, tea. I feel like I'm going crazy. So be thankful you don't have to do this. I do know I will benefit in the long run.

Mine is very limited. 4 weeks of Medifast shakes, 5 per day for a total of 500 calories. It's the toughest thing I've had to do. I'm also allowed a small salad with a hint of fat free drsg. Wendys has a great side salad at 35 calories that has been a lifesaver at work when everyone else is chewing something! I have cheated a couple times with some baby carrots and shredded wheat squares just to kill that emptyness in my belly. Less than 2 weeks to go!! YAY!!!

I was given two choices and had to select only one.

Choice 1: three high Protein drinks, which were low carb

Choice 2: two high Protein Drinks, which were low carb, plus one high protein meal low carb.

If hungry, I was allowed two small fruit servings as a snack.

My pre-op diet is 14 days with the following requirements:

(1) <1300 calories

(2) Between 90-120 grams of whey Protein

(3) <100 grams of carbohydrates

I'm allowed Clear liquids and full liquids. Basically, protein shakes, cream of chicken Soup, fat-free pudding, sugar-free Jello. I can also have steamed veggies sprayed with FF Parkay butter or veggie salad with FF dressing. Finally, once a week I am allowed 3-4oz. light, lean meat.

I'm on Day 6. It's HELL. But I'm trying to stay positive.

My pre op diet consisted of 2 optifast meal replacements. I usually had a bar for breakfast, soup for lunch and shake for dinner. I was also allowed to have 2 cups of vegies (no potatoes, peas or corn) which I had at night. Its been really hard. Good luck

I also am getting banded on the 15th, and also am on a liquid diet! It is not fun at all~ Good luck to you!

I am scheduled for Dec 16th too! And I was just told I don't need to do any real diet before either. I am going to do protein shakes for breakfast anyways just to get used to shakes. Anyway, good luck to you!:wink_smile:

My surgeon didn't require a pre-op diet. Most people are told it is to shrink the liver. My doctor kinda chuckled when I told him that and he said that IF it shrinks, at the most it would be 1 - 2 mm. His guess is that it is to help people get used to what is to come after surgery, kinda like a test. Clear liquids and full liquids. Do what your doc tells you, even if it is hard. If you can't handle the pre-op diet, it will be hard to stay on the post-op diet which is more important and the main reasons why people fail at the band. My surgery was 30 minutes from the time I was wheeled in to the time I was in recovery. Good luck and stick with it, it is SOOOO worth it!!!!

My surgeon didn't require a pre-op diet. Most people are told it is to shrink the liver. My doctor kinda chuckled when I told him that and he said that IF it shrinks, at the most it would be 1 - 2 mm. His guess is that it is to help people get used to what is to come after surgery, kinda like a test.

Our practice was invited to a conference last year that had many of the top Lap Band surgeons in the world. Many if not most of us have our patients go on a low calorie diet before surgery to shrink the liver. It is more imporant in men, and in larger patients.

Here is a link to some papers describing liver shrinkage in response to low calorie diet:

SpringerLink - Journal Article

The effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on the nonal...[surg Endosc. 2007] - PubMed Result

Change in liver size and fat content after treatme...[Obes Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result

Our practice was invited to a conference last year that had many of the top Lap Band surgeons in the world. Many if not most of us have our patients go on a low calorie diet before surgery to shrink the liver. It is more imporant in men, and in larger patients.

Here is a link to some papers describing liver shrinkage in response to low calorie diet:

SpringerLink - Journal Article

The effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on the nonal...[surg Endosc. 2007] - PubMed Result

Change in liver size and fat content after treatme...[Obes Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result

Hey! That's MY doc! :tt1:

Thank you SO much to everyone who responded to my post, you all have been so much help!

To those who have the same date as me I would MOST definitely love to keep in touch with you all to give each other support!

To the question of how I lost 40 lbs pre op. I did weight watchers and worked out 3-5 days a week. I also just went through a rough break up with my boyfriend of 3 years so that could have something to do with it too. :wink2: I guess break ups are good for something right??? Its those first 40-60 lbs that I can lose, but the ones that pack back on me so fast!

Again, thanks for all of the help. Good luck to you all awaiting your band and also those who have already been banded! Its so great to know that there are people out there who truly understand this struggle and journey that we have all gone through! :crying: