worried about liquid diet

Lap Band date is 9/12.  My Dr wants his patients to use Optifast purchased from him for 2 weeks prior to surgery but I cant afford it.  The nurse suggested something else which is 3 meal replacements (about 800 calories) but now I am only 12 days out and am hoping and wondering if I am going to be on this liquid diet 'long enough'?  Reading other's situations, it seems the Dr's differ on this liquied diet pre-op.  Some people dont even do it.  I weigh approx 250 and would like to know if anyone can reassure me that 10 days liquid diet  will be OK?

It depends on your doctors preference. My surgery is scheduled for the 4th and I was just told to start on the liquid diet on the 29th. I see that some people have to stay on it even longer, but again, it comes down to your doctors preference. My doctor recommends Isopure as meal replacements and so far so good. You may want to talk to the nurse about other alternatives to Optifast. There are plenty out there.

for my RNY I dont have to do the liquid diet pre op ...... I am stating my high protein VERY low carb pre op diet today ( surgery on the 15th)   --- I have heard others talk about being on a liquid diet but my dr doesnt require that pre op ..... I suppose it is a personal prefrence of the dr doing the surgery ...


I would suggest if you are going to follow the doctors advice then maybe try finding it cheaper online....... if the nurse gave you an alternative to the optifast then he cant really say you have to buy it there i would think....


Mind you most of this is my opinion, but it is what i would suggest ...

just my 2 cents worth
Karen

Hey,

my surgery is on the 15th as well and I started a weird diet Tuesday. I am allowed 3 protein shakes per day ( each meal 3 hours apart) and 2 small meals. I can only have 3oz. of lean protein and 2 cups of salad (thank jesus) and my other meal is a forzen entree < 300 calories but >15 grams of protein.

What type of diet are you on?

My pre op diet consists of :
THESE ARE PER DAY ORDERS
Protein 6 - 8 oz
Dairy 2 -3 servings Veggies (Unlimited non starchy veggies ) at least 3 servings
Fruit 2- 4 servings
Grains (NONE ) unless my blood sugar drops too low then I can have 1 per meal
Fats 1 - 3 teaspoons
MISC 8 cups non carbonated fluid

3   5oz protein shake

multivitamin
B complex
Calcium

i can have clear liquids.  broth, tomato soup, sf jello, sf popcicles and then 2 protien drinks which give me 82 g of protien.   they dont want me to go over 800 calories.i have actually been doing pretty good.  i am trying to figure the reason for the liquid diet for 2 weeks?  they said, to lose some weight, make your liver shrink (some dont believe this). what else?  is is that big of a deal if i had a a hotdog because i had to leave town real quick and grabbed the easiest thing (i know when i get banded, i will have to be more selective)  i also went to my favorite japanese restaurant out of town.  i am 6 days from surgery and will make sure the rest of the time i stick with dr's orders, but the whole liquid diet thing has worried me.  i dont want to sabatoge my surgery..i kind of liked not having to think about what food to eat. anyway..any ideas on the reason for the 2 wk liquid diet?

HI
Good luck with your pr op diet.  I have to be on clear fluids for 3 days prior to surgery.  I started today. It's difficult but really it's mind over matter..You can do it, just think of the prize waiting for you at the end.

Theresa

My doctor has me on a 9 day liquid diet and  I also had to purchase HMR 800 from my doctor for $84.00 and i can't drink them i have been trying but there not going down ... So I'm calling them tomorrow to find out what i can do .... I know the reason they want some on a liquid diet is to shrink the liver size ,,,, so if i was you i would just call and ask them ....

I have been on LD for 7 days, I buy Unjury (web site) Slim fast lo carb, ATkins, EAS, All of them average about $8 a day Cheaper than what I was spending on real food. It is not hard at all you don't really feel hungry if you do have some jello, or a popcycle. You need to do the liquid diet to make your liver smaller, if you are gettng laporscopic surgery they have to hold the liver up out of the way and (the smaller the better) also I have found that doing the LD has given me the convidence to know I can do this I feel 99% better!!!  A 10 day diet is better than none and will help you post op.

Bobbi

Bobbi, I have to agree with you about feeling better. After being on the liquid diet for more than two weeks I feel a lot better (physically) but I sure am missing food (and, no, those Lean Cuisine/Healthy Choice things just don't count! :-)

My emotions are running all over the place. Excited one minute and terrified/anxious the next. Normally when I'm stressed I turn to food, big surprise. Not being able to do that now is maddening.

Perry in Nashville