cindyn,
My surgeon says a low carb/high protein diet is what you need to shrink your liver. The liquid diet is also usually high protein (depending on what you drink :p ) but will usually lead to more pre-op weight loss and make sure the stomach is empty for surgery. I know for me the liquid week post op will be very hard, since I'm struggling with my protein drinks now. I'm using these last 9 days (OMG 9 days!!!) to find protein I like, and reduce carbs, but I'm not brave enough to try to live off liquids yet. If I could just sleep through the entire 1st post op week and miss most of the liquid phase I would be thrilled!

I agree that a smaller liver being clamped back would probably be less painful for recovery then an oversized one.

We have a scaredy sheltie too. Really scaredy. We also have a Westie who is afraid of the dark. Katt

hi "it's got to go",
I'm on day three of the pre-op lovely chocolate shakes. Had a wicked headache first two days due to sugar withdrawl (went off sugar a few years ago as yet another diet and throught my head would explode) you don't reaqlize how addictive the stuff is.
Hang in there your head will adjust. I thought I might pass out yesterday I was so hungry and tired. Just want to sleep until my lunch shake.
but it will all be worth it in the end.
I cant wait until my surgery is done.:) final stretch.....11 more days of shakes.....then more afterwards but not thinking of that yet.

Thanks Swanny and everyone. Yesterday, I was a collossal grouch! Today I am feeling better. I hate Rollercoasters! Day 5 of th liquid starts today, I'm having my coffee now and taking my daughter ice skating today for the first time (for her). We're almost there!!!!

I'm on day 7 of my Must-lose-10%-of-total-body-weight-before-meeting-with-the-surgeon diet and it's not too horrible. I tried my 2 scoops of Vanilla Carb Solutions instead of milk in my coffee today. What a mistake!

Okay, lesson learned. Don't play with your morning coffee. Get the protein in like a normal person--in a shake.

Also hit the treadmill today for the first time. I burned a 30 minute CD with fast-paced songs, hit the Program button on the treadmill and off I went. Until the treadmill mistook me for Jackie Joyner-Kersee and started going so fast I had to jump off or be thrown into the back wall and be killed. I never thought it would turn on me like that.

I think I'll go for a walk with my husband (he has no ill intent) and keep on going for the 10% loss. Only another few pounds to go!

I think I underestimated my goal weight on my ticker. Anyone know how to change that?

Just three more days!!!! I will be banded by Dr. Ortiz. I can't wait! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

My doctor does'nt require any protien diet. Just one day of liquids for me day before surgery. They are all different. Good luck Stephanie We will be thinking of you!!!!!

cindyn: You and I share the same surgery day - 9/11. I've been doing a 2 protein shake and 1 lite meal for 2 weeks now. I've been pretty out of sorts. Between no sugar, caffeine or carbs, I haven't been feeling too great. Guess I was hooked on all that partially for the energy.

My doc stressed that you must shrink your liver by losing 7 to 14 lbs. prior to surgery. I believe he will reschedule the surgery if you haven't met that goal by your original date. I believe they put you on a pre-surgery liquid diet at the time of your pre-op checkup.

Do you have the jitters like I do?

Hi my surgery is on 9/22 :clap2: and I cant wait
Kellie

The liquid diet and loss of weight does shrink the liver. It allows the the liver to be retracted eaiser during surgery. If the liver is too large they can't do it due to the possible injury to the liver and limited access to the stomach. Stick with it kiddos, the reward is going to be awsome!!!!!
I am so damn ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come on 14th!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone...

I am to be banded on September 11th, YEAH!

I started my liquid diet last Wednesday (after being in Disney for two weeks), and it has been going okay, very tough the first couple of days, but now very doable...

I wish everyone luck this month!!

Sherry

18 days to go 4KGs lost 5-10 kgs to lose before surgery
Kellie

Yep, meant 9-22, and I am supposed to be getting on the program, but with 10 days of eating left I am afraid I have an eating agenda until I go on liquids...

Well, it is about 1:00 a.m. here, so Monday, meaning I'm to be banded tomorrow! I'm excited. I was nervous. But now I'm so hungry I can't wait for it to be over with. I'm craving foods I normally don't like. I squeezed some chicken broth into my liquid diet and loved it -- normally, how bland.

I went out tonight and did a midnight run at Walmart to get the postop items. I got several different soups, broths, jellos, popcycles, mashed potatoes, oatmeal and cream of wheat. Walking into a grocery store when you're really hungry is not the greatest idea. I also made sure to get a heating pad (not sure what this is really for, is it for the wounds?) and I found these Gas-X strips you put on your tongue and they melt.

Well, I'm def ready. Starving and Ready.

I saw that a few other kids are to be banded Monday and Tuesday... good luck to everyone!

Mallorie

Good luck Mallorie!! Can anyone tell me how it could be that I have been doing this clear liquid only pre-op diet for 5 full days and have not lost a single ounce! I am so afraid that this is what is going to happen to me after being banded as well. Why won't my body let go of this fat!?