Portiers,

Since you haven't had the surgery yet, I would think the Optima Shakes would be ok for now.  However, I am not a bariatric dietitian, and I have not spoken to your doctor.  I would advise you to consult your dietitian and doctor to see what they say.

Sincerely,

Ali Auerbach, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian

That is great information. Can I still use the shakes I have for now without causing any problems? I will look at the sites you suggested, even if I order today I won't get it till next week.

Portiers

mhou,

Every dietitian visit can be different.  However, prior to lapband surgery, it is really important to meet with the dietitian.  First, this dietitian likely works with your surgeon.  Therefore, he/she will be able to relay to you exactly what your doctor will be doing, and what the doctor expects in terms of the pre-surgery diet, as well as the phases of the post-surgery diet.  It may also be that the doctor needs to document that you have tried all other forms of weight loss prior to surgery, and the dietitian will be able to sign off on this.

As for the liquid diet, the dietitian you meet with will give you more specifics.  However, generally this liquid diet is recommended not just for quick weight loss, but because drastically cutting your calories prior to the surgery will help to shrink your liver, which will make the surgery easier.

Many bariatric dietitians recommend post-surgery (once you can tolerate full liquids) to include the Slim-Fast Lower Carb Shake in your diet.  This Shake is high in protein, low in sugar, and contains extra vitamins and minerals.  This Shake may be harder to find in the stores, but it can be ordered online from amazon.com, drugstore.com, or enutritionshop.com. 

Sincerely,

Ali Auerbach, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian

Hi

I had hoped to see you get some advice on this. I am going to get the band put in on thur 22 Jan 09. I started my Liquid diet today and will be on it for looks like 2 weeks after. I am told that the time spent on a liquid diet is based on how long your Dr, wants you on it. Met with the dietician yesterday and still confused. I chose to drink Slim Fast for my Liquid Diet using Optium because that's what was on the store shelf. Yesterday the dietician tells me I should be using Slim Fast Low carb. This product is hard to find, I stopped at three major stores and they all carried Optium only. I will have to use what I have and adjust later. Optium claims to hold you for 4 hours, it may have held my hunger for 30 mins. I had hoped for the 4 hours without it I will have a hard time on this liquid diet for 2 weeks. There is a site that I am a member of that have members who have or will have bands you can join and ask for information. www.sparkpeople.com Search lap band and join. You will find me there as BigSargeSFCP my start weight is 243 based on the scale in my bathroom this a couple hours ago. Every time I step on a different scale I get a different reading, so I don't believe much in scales. Hope some of this helps and good luck. I am looking for someone who will walk me through the band life as well. I too would like to know what's around the corners before I get there. Correction Just drank my breaksfast SlimFast and I'm still Hungry.

Big Sarge SFC P

Hello ALL,

i'm 63.5 inches tall and weigh 249 lbs and planning to have lapband surgery this Spring.  The doctor told me to meet with a dietician 3 months prior to the surgery.  What should I expect that the dietician will do for me during this 3 months?  Is there any way that I could do it on my own, like finding the resources online or buying some related books?  I just don't have extra money to afford on the gas, it's over 200 mils on way, and the consultation to meet with a dietician, but I don't want that to be the factor of possible failure or any effect on the surgery outcome...

The doctor also say that I have to be on liquid diet 2 weeks prior to the sugery...so if anybody know where I could find those information online,  please enlighten me.  Thank you all very much.   

MH