here's one for the banders

My PCP wants to start me on an diet 1600-1800 diet to jump start my pre surgery weight loss.  Would it be beneficial to me to start on the protein shakes and meal replacement now to prepare for pre surgery and post op liquid diet?  I'm unsure how to start this since I am already on an 1800 cal diet already and find that most days I still do not consume that many calories.  All advise would be greatly appreciated.  Also, since I live in Small Town USA and all health food stores are 75 miles away, where do I order the fiber sprinkles and such that everyone talks about on the "what are we eating" topics!?

 I've never heard of fiber sprinkles. I just use Miralax.

Go to www.netrition.com and click on "low carb products." 
~ Barbara 

1600-1800 seems awfully high but I'm not the Dr. I was on high protein, low carb(basically modified Atkins) meat, eggs, chz, fish, certain veggies, sugar free jello. I put a little heavy cream on the jello to make it taste better. lol  2 protein shakes a day. Whey protein isolate. watch carbs and sugars on labels.  It was easier than I thought it would be. surprisingly. I dropped about 15lbs on pre-op diet, in a month and a half. Everyone is different. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!

Thanks everyone...I'm still on diabetic meds and he doesnt want to drop me too low calorie wise  and have to deal with medicine dose changes too soon....He wants the loss to be slow and steady and not starve me especially if my surgery date is later.  I haven't been given one as of yet, we are still going thru the insurance part.  But I was thinking that I might as well get used to a few changes right now. 

My Pre-op diet is Optifast and its only 800 calories a day. I am only on day 2 but I can honestly say that I have not gotten hungry yet. Which shocks me. The shakes and soups are pretty good too. Good luck to you with everything!!!:)

My 3 month supervised trial was a diet of 1500 calories per day, about 300 more than I was eating.  The difference was WHAT I was eating, not the caloric value.  I lost 6 lbs in 3 months eating 5 times per day and never skipping breakfast (my worst habit pre-op). 

I wouldn't use meal replacement shakes except occassionally at this time.  This is a great time to find out what your post-op solid food protocol will be and to start eating that way now...it will just be more, but comprised of the same types of foods. 

I try to get fiber in my diet, through veggies, whole grains etc.  A lot of people use miralax, but I don't seem to need it...

Good luck to you!

That's me that talks about them on the daily eating threads... :)

GG Unique Fiber Sprinkles - I order them from www.netrition.com.  I order all of my protein shakes and other specialty health foods on there too all at once since they have a $4.99 flat shipping rate. Might be a good option for you since you do not have a health food store close by.

Good luck!