I am scheduled to be banded on Nov 9. I have been reading over the materials my doctor gave me and very little details what my pre-surgery diet should be. I read the post-surgery blog and many people have discussed losing weight prior to surgery. Anyone have any info?

My doctor had me lose 20 lbs before he would do the surgery. He suggested a 1000 cal/day diet. I just did portion control and started drinking the protein shakes (low carb of course).

My Dr. said to do the Atkins Diet 2 weeks before surgery. It seems most people who have to follow a pre-op diet it is usually low carb....a lot of protein shakes too.

First of all, congratulations on getting your surgery! This is a new and exciting time for you and all of us! Now, I had to do a low carb diet consisting of two low carb Protein shakes a day and one meal a day the size of a CD. I tried some things but finally settled with the Adkins premade shakes, believe me they are the best tasting and most satisfying and for my meals I just went and got some yummy lean cuisines and smart ones and healthy choice. I lost like 10 pounds before my surgery like that and it was not that difficult. I could also have sugar free popsicles and Jello.:cursing: I limited them to one of each a day. And believe me it does make a difference. My doctor did the surgery in just 45 mins and said that everything went great because of the diet. He said he could really tell I followed it because it made things a lot more easy for them to work around. I hope this helps.

Starting Weight:310lbs

Surgery Weight:395lbs

Current Weight:276lbs

Banded:10/12/09

San Antonio, TX

Edited October 20, 200916 yr by sweetfusion

Thanks for the info. I have to be very honest, I am very nervous about the surgery. My journey has been rather quick-my first appointment with the my doctors was at the end of September. I am trying to catch up on all the material out there but feel alittle overwhelmed.

Why exactly do they recommend dieting before the surgery? I have read it is to make it easier for the doctor's to perform the surgery but does anyone have a better explanation?

I was told that the dieting will shrink the liver and make it easier to put the band on without the liver getting in the way. It usually just takes about 2 weeks of the dieting to do this, but I think it is very important that you do it.

Hi they didnot tell you a certain amount of weight you needed to lose before they would do your surgery. I used medifast and in 6 weeks took off 32 lbs I had to weigh in weekly at the Dr's and thats were i received my medifast I'm due to be banded on 10/29

Losing weight prior to surgery is to shrink the liver enough to facilitate placement of the band.

Most doctors seem to require at least some weight loss before surgery, but you should call and find out what your requirements are.

Since this has happened so quickly for you, you might want to spend lots of time here asking questions and reading up.

Good luck to you!

My doc had me do a "Liver Shrink" for two weeks. It is to help with the band placement. I think it also helps to get the right mind set for after surgery. Those first few weeks of eating are so very different from what we had eaten previously. I didn't have an amount to loose, but I followed the rules and did loose; it was high protein. I was told that the liver fat was the target.

Yes, I forgot... the reason my doctor put me on the pre-op diet was to shrink my liver. The liver stores the carbs and so by eliminating carbs, my liver would shrink and not be in the way of what he needed to do. I just got back from my 2 week post-op visit and he showed me pictures of the band during surgery and of my liver. He said he could tell that I had followed instructions.