dee.jay.bee

Thanks for posting this! I have been wondering the same thing.

Yah!!!! [emoji1316][emoji1316][emoji1316][emoji160][emoji160]

It varies from surgeon to surgeon. Mine requires 'the milk diet'. I have to be on it for 3 weeks. (Currently on Day 10!) And it is what it sounds like; skim milk up to 20 oz. 3x a day, plus at least 50oz of water or other non caloric, non carbonated drinks.

Hi! My surgery date is 7/28. My surgeon started me on 'the milk diet' on 7/7. 3 weeks of nothing but skim milk, water, and zero calorie drinks. Two days in and I'm exhausted and weak and super grouchy. Not to mention, HUNGRY! It doesn't seem like a lot of surgeons require the milk diet, but has anyone else had to do it? Did your body adjust and feel better?

I'm so glad to hear it's easier after surgery! It's a long time to go without chewing something delicious and savory! I almost took a bite of my kid's Mac and Cheese last night out of habit!

Day 4 is even better, thankfully! I think maybe the biggest issue was cutting off sugar and caffeine suddenly. The Milk Diet is just another variation of a liquid diet. It's designed to meet the body's minimal needs for protein with minimal calories so fat will be burned. It's supposed to make surgery easier for the heart and lungs and shrink the liver. It's a rough diet. Skim milk is not filling at all. But it's doing its job. I'm already down 6 pounds. Which is crazy!

Thanks! It's day 3 and I *think* I feel better. Lots of people have said they've never heard of the milk diet, it must not be too common. It's standard practice for my surgeon though!

Mine is July 28th!

Welp....I had my psych eval on Monday. I don't even know what to think. She spoke like I was a good candidate for VSG and that I'm going into it for the right reasons. At one point she asked if I grew up in an abusive home, I said yes. Then she asked who the aggressor was. I said my mom. And that is the only time my mom was mentioned; well other than asking if we have a good relationship now; which we do. At the end of the interview she told me that I needed to 'stop listenening to my mom's voice' and 'stop her voice from telling me I'm not good enough and that I don't deserve to be happy.' Then she said that she was withholding her approval until after my personal counselor tells her that I am ready. This seems ludicrous to me. First of all, we didn't delve into my past with my mom, I never cried or indicated that my mom's voice was in my head. Secondly, is she trying to ruin my relationship with my counselor? Sheesh. When I told my counselor what she said, she about fell out of her chair; and told me that that she has no intention of approving or disapproving my decision; and that it is my decision. She said that her job is to make sure that I am doing it for the right reasons; and that I don't have any 'pie in the sky' ideas of what this surgery will do for me. So now I'm just waiting to see if the evaluator contacts my counselor. This is just too annoying!

I know what you mean! It's so exciting to start this 'journey', but I'm sure as the surgery date gets closer, I'll be more nervous! You'll do great! What kind of preop diet do you have to do?

Congratulations!! I'm hoping for the end of March!

That's great! Congratulations!

That is crazy! Sounds like HE needs a psych eval! I would definitely clarify things with him when you see him next.

When I met with my NUT in October, she told me that the insurance company wants me to lose a 'significant' amount of weight before they will approve. Ahem. If I were able to lose a SIGNIFICANT amount of weight, I would not be in this predicament. I see my NUT on Tuesday and, well, I'm a big, fat (no pun intended) failure! I've had my ups and downs the last month. I definitely learned that I had some terrible eating patterns when I thought I was eating 'healthy'. I strived to make changes, but it's two steps forward and one step back. These eating habits are so ingrained. Anyway, I just focused on eating less....tracking calories, which is huge for me, but I just realized that I was supposed to be following the same type of eating plan I will be on post op (after the purée and soft foods). I'm so worried that my messing up is going to disqualify me. And don't get me started on Thanksgiving!! I went into this knowing in my mind that VSG is not a cure. I know that it's not. I feel like my effort last month tells a different story. I have one more month under the NUTs guidance to make my insurance happy; one more month to show them I can do this; that I want to do this. But what if I still don't lose anything? I've been on so many diets the last couple of years and have nothing to show for it. Anyone out there have to dazzle their insurance company? How did you do it?

Thank you for your reply. I had all of my questions ready for the dietician and she really helped clear things up. My particular insurance just doesn't want to see me gain. Anyway, the meeting was so helpful and I feel a lo better about it all.

Lol....yep. And Water of course. Skim milk 3 times a day. At first I thought I misunderstood. But no, it's really just skim milk. Blah! I will not talk to her about it unless I have to. I know she means well and doesn't understand.

I've been stewing over this for days. I haven't told many people that I'm considering VSG, just 4. My hubby, my mom, and two of my closest friends. Everyone was supportive, understanding, and I felt like it gave me the 'backbone' to do it. One friend told me last week, that she has been lying to me; that she doesn't want me to have WLS, doesn't think I should, that there has to be another way. She is scared for me and afraid I'll get some kind of infection. It's not like I even talk about VSG that much with her. She's watched my daughter for one of my appointments and so I've filled her in on that appointment. She also mentioned tat she's concerned about the diet ill be on before and after. (My doctor requires 2 weeks of just skim milk before surgery.) she's afraid of all of the artificial sweeteners in sugar free Jello and pudding, etc. I'm 100% opposed to them too, but it's a temporary diet!! And again....this isn't really something I've discussed at length with her at all. I'm just so irritated and mad. Don't tell me you're in my corner if you're not! I just needed to get that off my chest!

Yes, she is overweight too. The Paleo diet is working for her though and she's really sticking to it. She doesn't need to lose nearly as much as I do though and I don't really think she can understand. Yes, it's great she was finally honest with me. It still hurt though. I don't know how to help her through it. I haven't been to the support group yet, but that's a really good idea.

It's weird that the pre op diet varies so much! My surgeon requires a skim milk diet 2-4 weeks before surgery. Skim milk 3 times a day. That's it! (And water.) I'm not looking forward to it.

Thank you for this post! I was wondering too. I'm starting the same thing tomorrow. I have to complete 3 months of this supervised diet before I can see the surgeon. I don't know how much I will lose, I've tried all kinds of diets before and haven't had success, so I'm afraid I won't lose anything. My surgeon requires a skim milk only diet 2-4 weeks before surgery. I am NOT looking forward to that! Nothing but skim milk and Water for two or more weeks. Gag. Good luck! You'll do great! Just keep coming back here for support from people who understand.

Woohoo! The psych eval is now a another checked item in the long to do list! She ended up calling my counselor who said that I was a good candidate and shouldn't be delayed since we are already working together every week. Now I just have to complete three months of a supervised diet and I should get to meet my surgeon in mid December! Eeeep!!!!!

They say 'hindsight is 20/20'. I don't like to lie, but...... She hasn't even sent my paperwork back to the coordinator yet. They make it sound like this is the only therapist they work with. I have my meeting with the medical doctor and the dietician tomorrow, so I'm still pressing on.

Ask her if she plans on having her implants removed, then. You know, since its reversible. Who is she to tell you what God is or is not making a way for you to do?

I knew it would come up. But for her to dwell on it when I didn't was just so weird! Oh well, if it's not approved, it's one more thing I can blame my mom for....LOL!