Not saying you are wrong, but I was allowed to do an Adkins type diet for my pre-op weight loss. With that one, you just have to start earlier. The liquid diet is for 1 to 2 weeks pre-op. The Adkins is 3 week pre-op. That comes right from Dr. Miranda, and on their web-site. Thats what I did and only switched to the liquid shakes because I was only losing 3 - 5 pounds per week and Dr. Miranda wanted me to lose more, and thought the shakes in place of meals would help. I don't know how that was expected to workk though because losing more than 5 pounds per week on anyone is next to impossible.
I am thinking that a calorie is a calorie no matter where it comes from, but this is still a great question to ask of Dr. Miranda. I am just curious about your statement because I do happen to carry most of my weight in my stomach area and I did get the bigger VG band. But, Dr. Ortiz never said he had any problem with me and Dr. Miranda was happy with my weight loss which was 17 pounds pre-op.
But, hey, if that is true, I'd gladly go back on shakes for 2 meals per day just to get my stomach to shrink some. I look pregnant! Just kidding, I know I can't because I am banded already, but that would have been cool if it works.