Medifast before DS - help or harm?

I'm a newbie to this board, but I've been trying to get to WLS for 10 years.

I am on the Medifast 5+1 program (5 meal replacements and 1 "lean and green" meal) prior to my upcoming DS in February.  I have been on this program for several months and have dropped some pounds. I'm doing this at the recommendation of my Primary physician.

Is there anyone on this board who has done this program prior to surgery?

My concern is that with the liquid pre-op diet, I my system won't be strong enough for surgery.

Perhaps I'm just being a worry wart.

 Hold tight - we have some Medifast users on this board that I know will be happy to share their experiences with you.  

Clirishu-

Thanks!

Good morning - i did optifast for 2 weeks prior to surgery, it was to shrink the size of my liver to make surgery easier.  I wish you the best of luck.  Since the drs put you on it, it should be ok, what does your bariatric surgeon say about the medifast?  lys

Good Morning lysb-

I have been doing Medifast's 5+1 program (5 shakes and 1 lean meat+veggie meal)  for the past 12 weeks.  I was shooting for a 100 lb weight loss pre-op, (50 BMI) so I could have a LapDS.  I have injured my leg, and been off my exercise program for 5 weeks, and I will not likely be back to exercising long enough to keep the weight loss at a rapid pace.

I actually proposed it to her, and my PHP is supervising it, and is taking my labs every month.

I'm three months away from my surgery date.

I was just wondering if anyone else had done a pre-op weight loss similar to this, and if it helped or harmed them. 

I did optifast for over 3 months once and did fine on the fast - felt stronger and had better vitamins and nutrition than before I did the fast.

Sometimes if you lose a lot before surgery, you won't lose as quickly right after surgery as some others, so don't be discouraged.

If Dr. Inman thinks it's good, I'd go with her advice. I've seen some terrific results on some of her patients! :) 

If you lose enough, be sure and give yourself a little break before surgery in order to have your "2 week freak" or whatever it is. Of course, with the DS you don't have to freak as much. But, get those carbs out of your system before surgery and then just listen to folks like Lori Black - she has done awesome. She was a lightweight, though, so different situation for sure.

Take care,

Hi there!

I'm pre-op with no date scheduled, but did well with Medifast from May until about September. When I saw my PCP in October, we discussed how it was a great tool but was hard to sustain as a long term thing. I've been eating some MF foods for the last month. but supplementing way too liberally!

My understanding is that the more weight you can take off pre-surgery the better. Medifast (MF) or Optifast (OF) both start a switch-over to high protein eating. It won't put you in a weakened condition for surgery, but an improved one. I'm no expert on the DS, but I do know they want you up and walking, right? And how mich easier to walk weighing 50 or even 100 lbs less? Plus you will be less of a surgical risk at a lower weight.

I'm climbing back on the MF wagon myself after a very, um, relaxed holiday. I was like a bad dog with pie and stuffing. I think I need a tool that will either crack me upside the head (RNY) or let me get "away" with it (DS). I do need to learn more about the VSG - that sounds interesting.

if you have any questions about the VSG, just ask away or check out the VSG board.