would it make more sense to give that a go before paying cash for the surgery? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Well it does work well, but only while you're using it (if you're like me). I did a very strict Medifast program about ten years ago and lost about 60 pounds(all I had to lose at the time). It was one of those situations of while I was doing it and in the zone of eating hardly any food and losing I was fine, but the minute I got off the Medifast and was on real food 24/7 the weight I lost (and more) came flooding back. I am sure there are people who use it succesfully, but not me. It is not a long term solution if you really have food issues that's why after so many years of struggling I am turning to the band.

my story is a duplicate of linda's the moment i started eating real food the weight came back faster than i could blink. and the medifast program is not cheap

i have done medifast and optifast. and if you stick to it you will succeed. but i always gained the weight back. if you are just starting the lap band process it will be at the very least 6 months before surgery. you could try the medifast while you are going through the 6 month diet. and if you have enough success then squash the operation.

Sure...if you can drink medi-fast and stay away from your old faves (whatever got you where you are today).

If not, you may want to find something else to help you lose and keep it off.

Yes, any of those shake diets will work - if you want to stay on them using their "maintenance" phase for the rest of your life... Those programs send your body into ketosis, and that is NOT healthy for a prolonged period, you would need to be constantly monitored by a doctor.

As was said above - once you start eating normally again, back comes the weight and usually more. I think you'll find that nearly everyone who has a lap band has tried at least one of those programs before but still went with the lap band because long term success isn't really realistic...

I have to agree with the others about medifast. It works while your body is in ketosis once off ( or you have eaten anything off plan) you are then into a stage of spending money and not seeing the results known on their site as the dreaded plateau.. Also i do not like their soy based products not good for you body. And for those peeps that ask questions they are told oh that is rare. Do the homework and research what works for you.

If you read more on their sites you will see there are many peep who are on that stage of their journey for many dreaded months.

Using the matrix or the other bariatric food suggested by your doctor is a great tool as well. Just has getting banded is a tool.

Everybody I know who lost weight on Medi-Fast or Opti-Fast gained it all back and extra as soon as they stopped using the product.

Thanks guys for all the input and advice. I actually am on the pre-op diet now (day 4) and am probably just getting pre-surgery jitters. I think I know in the back of mind that this type of eating, or lack there of, could not be done long term...heck, I'll be luck if I make it the two weeks that is required by my surgeon!! Thank you all for bringing me back to my senses. My surgery is on May 18th.

I lost 119 lbs on Medifast in less than 9 months and as soon as I started eating regular foods again I gained it all back. I felt like I deprived myself from all of the good stuff and here I am fat again. I have tried to go back on it several times and gag at the food. I would avoid it at all costs. It is only a temporary fix.