Pre-Op Diet

[NewAttitude]

I'm considering the band - although I've lost 24 lbs on my own and have only 79 lbs to go. I feel like I'm in pergatory - I lose enough to not be a candidate for lap banding but not enough to be happy with my appearance.

Can someone share the pre-op diet with me? I want to get banded by finances are a big thing - I'm a single mom with no insurance, so this would be the ultimate luxury.

Thanks for your help.

[Kittycat]

The pre-op diet is very drastic and is designed to reduce the fat in your liver to acheive a safer surgery.

Depending on the doctor the pre-op diet can be different. My surgeon recommended 4 Optifast shakes per day with non-starch veggies and water.

Generally on this plan weight loss is quick, but without the post-op diet plan would not be sustainable when you begin to eat real food.

The the post op diet is band specific. If you can reduce the portion size and reduce the calorie intake without feeling hungry or deprived, you can succeed.

Good luck! Cathy

[Blazn]

NewAttitude, I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico - many of us on this forum were - and he has 3 different pre-op diets. The goal of the diets is to lose 5% of your weight to decrease the fat around the liver as mentioned already. You have already done that!! Way to go. You could have your surgery now! Although Dr. Miranda (Dr. Ortiz's nutritionist) does have 3 pre-op diets the goal is to lose the 5%. She does not really care how you do it. She just gives suggestions that many people have success with.

Diet options to choose from:

1. Induction phase of Atkins Diet - for 3 weeks

2. Protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a lean cuisine for dinner - for 2 weeks.

3. Protein shakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner - for 7 days.

With all three of these diets you can have salads (lettuce only) with a low (5 cal. or less) or no calorie dressing. Like Salad Spritzers. There are also some other recommendations about how to kill hunger pangs like fiber supplements etc.

If you decide to go with Dr. Ortiz all of this info will be mailed to you in more detail but this is just an overview.

Good luck on your decision. The only regret I have is not having Lap Band sooner. But I too was faced with the financial issue and could not afford to pay 17-20G for surgery and my insurance did not cover WLS. But when I found Dr. Ortiz (he charges 8G which includes hotel and transportation) I was ecstatic. Please keep us posted on your decision.