I did it....

Hey All .

I posted last week" FINALLY CONFESSING".. well the results of the surgeons visit I was nervous about wasn't all that bad after all. I was totally honest with him and I told him in the beginning I didn't take the surgery serious and failed to take all the vitamins, protein, labs etc. He told me is not to late and I still have a chance, that really made me feel better knowing it wasn't over for me. He gave me 1 of 2 options as far as a diet. #1 he said I can get on the diet that consist of protein shakes and bars (OPTIFAST), I said to myself sounds like the 5DPT but here's the catch he said he want me to be on it for 2 months     that is a long time w/only liquids and protein bars. He said the average person drops 6 lbs each week, he want me to drop 40lbs. Sounds good but I don't think I can't handle that. I don't want to sound like I'm giving up before i start but 2 months WOW. #2 he gave me a meal plan for Slim Fast optimum i beleive he said several GB patients don't like how the drink taste and don't do to well w/that plan. So i have to make a decision and get on it quick. I ws still considering the 5DPT and eat right/exercise after that and maybe try it again 2 weeks later. Oh and I forgot to mention I weigh 215 lbs that's a 29 pound gain since my last visit w/him. He said he want to see me again in 6 weeks and he want me to be under 200lbs. I know it's possible and I'm going to do it, but need to decide which plan I'm going to go with for the best results.

Good for you for talking with your surgeon, and being honest with him. I really can't advise you on which plan of his to use, but pick the one you feel you can stick with. I know for myself though in the past I did a liquid diet similar to optifast and I did lose a good bit of weight but as soon as I went back to regular food, I gained it back.

Good luck with whatever you chose.

Sher

Ive been in the optifast program pre op.  The only thing I would say is take a look at the sugar content... I cant remember how much it has but I know several GBP pateints have sugar sensitivity.  I think the bariatric version is optisource???  ITs been a while so home my memory is correct.  Jess

was it diffucult to stick to, and how much weight did you lose?

I lost about 20 lbs... I did it for about a month.  But it was hard to do... I  made myself do it anyway.  I didnt like the taste of the powdered shakes so I did the ready to drink.  Ive also done medifast which is another type of similar thing.  I had to do atkins to shrink my liver too.  Then the liquid diet pre op.  Jess

I would do the one that sounds healthier.  Start logging your food...that is going to be a HUGE help to you no matter what you do... If you can see what you are eating (calories, fat, carbs etc) you can control things so much better...It's not a guessing game then.  One pound is 3500 calories....

Your doc want you to lose 15 lbs in 6 weeks...That's 21,000 calories

42 days in 6 weeks = 500 calories deficit per day. 

That's perfect!  ...I normally eat 1500 calories daily on average for maintenance weight (I know this from journaling my food for 6 months)  But I lose a lb or two a week when I cut back to near 1000-1200 and add a good exercise routine 1 hour, 3 times a week or 20 minutes daily (whichever is easier for you)  I'm a heavyweight at 165 lbs (and don't want to lose more weight than this...I'm quite happy here)   so you'd probably do very well on this at 215 lbs...You might even be able to eat more than 1200 calories depending on what your average day looks like now.  Start a log....Find ways to cut calories here and there...Sometimes it's as simple as cutting back on fats or a sugary drink that has only calories and no nutritional value.  Or replacing a high cal snack for a veggie or fruit or salad...Shave off an ounce of this or that...Eat 3 1/2 ounces of meat rather than 4 ounces..Leave a bite on your plate.  DRINK water inbetween meals so you never get a rumbly tummy....and if you do...you are genuinely hungry! Then EAT! 

When I am having a really hungry day and nothing seems to satisfy I go to the veggies for fillers...They are always low fat , low cal and nutritious and filling too...I bought some salad spritzers in different flavors and WOW!  What an amazing 1 calorie per spray flavor!  I was amazed!  So I have myself a huge bowl of salad (10-15 calorie squirts) as a midnight munch attack with no guilt at all!
Well...just a couple of little things I thought I'd share with you...It's always easier said than done. It took me two weeks to lose my last two pounds gain...but I was being really lazy about it...so it was my fault...You sound like you have the will you just need the little push!  You can do this! Think about how easy the mechanics of it is...and embrace it's simplicity...It doesn't have to be a "special diet" You just have to understand how it works and have some control...Knowledge is control!  Oh...and take your vitamins!  They help your body stay nourished and healthy with and without food! 

I wish you so much luck!