Question:
5 Days PRE-OP, LIQUID DIET STARTS TODAY ,, WHATS THE BEST ADVICE?

Besides being overwhelmed, scared to death and nervous Im alittle unsure of the best way to approach the liquid diet,would appreciate all the advice I can get incuding whats the best protein drinks that wont kill my Bummer, anyway any other advice would be more than appreciated, thanks    — barry l. (posted on January 1, 2010)

January 1, 2010
Barry, Your doctor should have provided guidelines - at least mine did. I can't give medical advice, but I would think you should drink protein drinks. The guidelines I had was aim for 20G Protein and less than 5 carbs. I went to WalMart and ended up with Atkins readymade strawberry and the vanilla is pretty good. I bought EAS protein powder (30.00 for 6lbs at Costco) and made shakes in my magic bullet. They seem a little more filling (let the froth settle down). Muscle Milk was too sweet for me but tolerable. You can use unsweet cocoa powder, and extracts to flavor your shakes as well. Keep a bottle of water with you all the time. There are some other tips on the right hand side of the page you might find helpful. I am only four days out for lap band and finally feel 1/2 way decent. I just had some strained cream of chicken soup and it was good..I can't wait to be able to chew again though! The gas pains from the gas they blow you up with was the worst on Wednesday. Make sure you get some liquid lortab before you come home from the surgery. Pretty soon, it will all be a distant memory and you will be joining all of us on our journey to better health. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress. Peace, LeAnne
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 1, 2010
I drank Iso-Pure ready-to-drink in 20 ounce bottles. They have 40 grams of protein, and taste like adult koolaid. My favorite flavors were Grape Frost and Pineapple Orange Banana. You can get them at any GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. I also drank hot herbal tea with New Whey "bullets" in them. I'd put half an orange bullet in the Tangerine Orange Zinger tea, and half of a blue raspberry, grape or fruit punch bullet in the Wild Berry Zinger tea. Another good thing to drink on the liquid diet is chicken or beef broth. I added a scoop of Any Whey protein powder (tasteless and odorless) to the hot (but not TOO hot) broth, and drank it. The other protein powders and drinks are not clear liquids - I don't know if your surgeon specified clear liquids pre-op or not. At any rate, after the surgery, you'll be on clear liquids for at least a couple of weeks, and then you'll go on to stuff like the flavored protein powders and pureed/soft foods. At that time, the Atkins shakes and EAS and stuff like that are okay. But I personally don't like either of them.... Atkins because it has too many carbs for my taste, and the EAS because I didn't like the way it tasted. I loved the Oh Yeah liquid protein shakes, especially the vanilla. You can buy DaVinci Sugar-Free syrups in about 30 different flavors to make the vanilla shakes any flavor you want. It's fun. You just need to experiment. There is a website called BariatricEating.com where they sell products specifically formulated by a bariatric patient, and they're all REALLY yummy, but a little pricey. However, if you go there and sign up for the forums (they're free), you can sign up for the protein and supplement forum and find that you get lots of recipies and ideas for protein drink combinations that sound pretty darn good!! She also is a distributor for the Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate brand vitamins (but I get mine from the manufacturer - they're a little cheaper through them). Anyways, don't get overwhelmed. This is the absolute bast thing I've ever done in my life. I am happier now than I've been in overe 35 years, and healthier, too. I can walk without having to stop every 50 feet, I can exercise, I can play with my grandchildren, I have given away 3 complete wardrobes as I've lost 134 pounds so far. I'm still about 15 pounds from goal, but since DAY ONE of the surgery, I've been ecstatic! You'll do fine. Don't be scared. If you have to be scared.... be scared of NOT doing this. I'll be thinking of you...
   — Erica Alikchihoo

January 2, 2010
There are lots of great protein recipes out there. I like the EAS powders because they taste ok (not too over powering) and are dirt cheap. You can get a 5lb bag at Sam's for $23! My other advice...try to stay busy over the next few days. When I'm busy I have less time to be bored or think about food. The days that I was busy seemed to go by a lot easier and faster than those when I just did nothing. Good luck and here's to a speedy recovery!
   — ladiosa

January 2, 2010
I would contact your surgeon, and he or she should provide you with information on their specified regime for pre and post op instructions, I was provided such the day I had my first consult two months before my surgery (to review and note any questions and concerns), do make such to get all your liquids in- and follow your surgeons instructions as is. Best of luck to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 2, 2010
I had surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida, they give you a whole dietary book with everything you can have. Liquids .... not much confusion there, but try to get as much protein, you can have sugar free popsicles to help thru the hard times. Jello... broth... you are lucky.. 5 days... wow .. I had to do 2 weeks.
   — MarthaJ0110

January 2, 2010
hi barry i had my weight loss surgery in january 2009 and everything went good i had the lap band done and i am very happy when i was on the liquid deit i drink slimfast along with soup broth and crantion breakfest drinks . i was scared too when it came to my surgery but i knew i was making the right decision and it's the best one . when you go in for your surgery tell your self that after all is said and done and your weight starts to drop that you will be feeling better then you have in a long time . good luck and take care sandy
   — sandy fairweather

January 8, 2010
I HAD A RNY BYPASS FOR ME THIS WORKS ALWAYS PACK YOUR SMALL COOLER ,ALWAYS HAVE THAT COOLER NEAR YOU AT ALL TIMES, I KEEP IN MY COOLER BROTH, SUGAR JELLO, DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF PROTEIN SHAKES WHERE EVER I AM AT MY COOLER IS WITH ME AT ALL TIMES BECAUSE YOUR MIND WILL PLAY LOTS OF TRICKS WITH YOU, I AM 4 MONTHS OUT AND I STILL KEEP EVERYTHING WITH ME IN MY COOLER IF I DONT WHEN I AM OUT AND ABOUT MY MIND WILL TELL ME THAT I AM HUNGRY AND I WILL STOP BY THE FAST FOOD RESTUARNT ANG GET BAD FOOD I LEARN THIS FROM SOMEONE ELSE AND FOR ME IT REALLY WORKS, IF I JUST GO TO THE STORE OR JUST GET GAS I WILL HAVE SOMETHING WITH ME TO EAT , MY BEST PROTEIN SHAKES IS MUSCLE MILK, ATKINSON, CARNATION BREAKFAST DRINK , I HOPE THIS ADVICE WILL BE HELPFUL TO YOU
   — goal100

January 8, 2010
My favorite is ready-made Premier Chocolate Protein that I buy at CostCo.
   — Janell C.