Surgery 12/18 any tips on the pro -op diet

[tallnthyckldy77 1]

I am sooo excited I finally got approved for the lapband, scheduled for 12/18. I start the Optifast tomorrow, anyone have any tips for getting through the 2 week liquid diet? :w00t:

[Melinco 1]

Welcome to LBT! I'm being banded on 12/17. I don't have any advice for the liquid pre-op diet as my surgeon has me on a solid Protein pre-op diet. However, I wanted to invite you to come and join the rest of the December Delights, those of us getting banded in December. You can find us up at the top under Community, then Social Groups, then December Delights.

Also, you can find posts on both the pre-op and post-op pages. Just look for either December 2009 Bandsters or December Delights.

[happy2lose 0]

Honestly, a liquid diet is never easy. It's just something you have to do and know it's only temporary. Most surgeons require a liquid diet for a week or two after surgery also. Just be sure to follow doctor's orders since it is for your own safety during surgery and for a healthy recovery.

Best wishes,

Donna

[tdtucker 0]

I am on day 10 of 14 of the Optifast diet and I have the following tips.

1. The first couple of days stink. This is the reality, no other way around it. I slept alot those 2 days.

2. The shakes taste better if blended in the blender with ice and add artificial sweetner like Splender to them. Makes them so much better.

3. Make sure you are following the exact way your doctor tells you to do them. Mine is 5 packets a day. Do not skip 1, makes you miserable the next morning for some reason.

4. Lots of Water or you will feel, for lack of better words, stopped up. The Water does the trick I promise.

Amazing the amount of knowledge one can gain in 10 days of nothing but Optifast shakes. I can tell you it does get easier after the first couple of days and is really not bad now.

GOOD LUCK!!:w00t:

[Ice_Prince 4]

Hey tallnthyckldy77 I'm being banded on the 18th too. I started the liquid diet yesterday this Atkins Pre-mixed shake is so nasty.:wink2: Its will power that is getting me thru this and the goal I want to achieve. tallnthyckldy77 where will you be having your surgery at.

[tallnthyckldy77 1]

Thank you all so much for the info, I started my Optifast today and so far I am ok, I am just trying my best to ignore the smell of my fellow co-worker's lunches lol. I just keep thinking of the ending results if I stick to it and that is getting my through. A co-worker had suggested to me (she had her's done in May) that I mix the vanilla optifast with either black coffee or a sugar free orange popcicle. I am going to try that tonight. Dr. Rhenke in Pasadena, Fl is doing my surgery. :wink2:

[Bella_in_n_out 0]

I am 5 days away from my banding and this liquid diet isnt so bad, i drink carnation instant Breakfast. Doesnt taste so bad!

[cawells 0]

I am 13 days away from my surgery and have not been told to go on a liquid diet. I have my nutrition class on Wednesday. Maybe they will give me a diet then?

[Melinco 1]

Cawells,

Not every doctor prescribes a liquid pre-op diet. My surgeon is having me do 10 days of high Protein low car solids diet starting tomorrow. My surgery is the 17th. If you want to do it on your own, you can.

[Mom6kids 0]

I'm on day 6 of a ten day liquid diet, and all I can say is it is way harder than I anticipated. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but it's just my experience. I can't wait to be banded and NOT be starving!! On a positive note, I have lost 7.5 pounds, and the doctor wanted me to lose between 8 and 10, so I should be there by this Thursday, which is when my surgery is.

Best of luck to you on the diet and with your surgery!

Melissa C.

Big Lake, MN

Lap band 12/10/09

[Mom6kids 0]

Bella, you are way stronger than I am!! I did good through day 6 and then caved a little today, on day 6. I plan to get right back on and complete with my head held high!! Down 7.5 lbs and getting nervous about surgery.

Melissa

[allielee 263]

Congrats on your way to being banded. I found the preop Optifast diet the hardest thing of all! Here are my tips that worked for me.

Always make a shake out of them adding the following:

to vanilla optifast:

pumpkin pie spice and a sweet & low -

or

orange extract and sweet and low-

to strawberry optifast:

mint extract and a sweet and low-

banana extract and a sweet and low

To chocolate optifast:

mint extract and a sweet and low

or

chocolate Syrup

or some Decaf instant coffee granuals.

always add ice to all of above!! These all make yummy shakes. I hated the optifast alone and by making them into a shake you really get full! The extracts add no calories and tons of flavor try a little at a time until you get to the taste you love!

Good luck!