Lap Band Diet

I'm considering the lap-band surgery and have met with the doctor to discuss.  During my meeting, I received sample menus of pre-op Full Liquid Diets and Post-Op Full Liquid, Soft and Sole Diets.  The problem is is that the menus are very limited.  I'm wondering if there is any helpful publications that provide a wide variety of menu suggestions for pre & post op diets.  Thanks.

From what I've heard from others who have had that surgery is that the menus are very limited, and you have to stick to them, period.  There are many folks out there who never got the surgery, because they couldn't stick to the drastic before diet, and many who have really hurt themselves by not sticking to the after diet.  If you chose the surgery, I'd be sure to do exactly what they tell you.

that is the problem with a lot of programs to lose weight, whether it be diet or surgery -- is that the restrictions on what and how much food you can have are so severe.

but is it just a matter of being liquid only, or of being certain liquids.  Because juicing would be a great way to go if it can be any liquid.  you can juice just about anything that is fruit or vegetable. 

Perhaps that is what you should clarify.

Call me crazy... but instead of going in for surgery and spending lots of money, you could just learn to eat less? .....

I'm not sure what your situation is, but I have lost 74 lbs using the guidelines on this site and I've eaten normal food the whole time.  I do have more to lose, but my BMI has gone from 43 to 32 and I no longer qualify for weight loss surgery.  I doubt that I'll get as skinny as I could have gotten from surgery, I'm just aiming for about a BMI of 25, but I'm okay with that.

lorilorik... I dont want this to come off wrong but dont you think that is a little harsh? You dont know her situation or how much she eats for that matter. For some people weight loss surgery IS the only option. Please do not judge people on this site,we are all just doing the best we can and we need to be positive and supportive of each other. Ok,off my soapbox.

From what i understand... lapbanding makes it so you cant eat as much.

I dont think it was too harsh. Wanting someone else to take the responsibility for your weightloss just doesnt seem right (and thats what it is! Instead of learning portion control, nutrition, exercise, and all the many other parts of learning to live healthy...).

There are other ways to feel full then surgery. Eat veggies and fruit for one.

I dont think lap band is the only option for anyone (unless they have mental issues and simply cant control their eating... in which case, lap banding will only make them veryyy sick when they cant stick to the diet or binge).

Weightloss is really really simple...

If calories used > calories eaten; then weightloss

If calories used < calories eaten; then weightgain

So....stop eating so much. Its really that simple! If you keep gaining weight, only one thing can be happening! You are eating more then you use!

If you cant manage to do that... then i say try harder. Take some extra steps. Get the food that you know you will eat out of the house. Plan your schedual better and plan out meals. Count calories and learn what you are eating. There are many many many many things a person can do to start getting on track and losing the fat.

There are other issues about taking things too far and not eating enough ... but thats only if things are taken to extremes.

Surgery shouldnt be at the top of the list... it shouldnt even be considered (except in a few VERY VERY VERY rare cases, and even then... lap band is never one of those treatments). If they didnt work, then there is something mental going on (and surgery might help get results, but it wont fix the real problem... so things will go back to how they were sooner or later).

loriklorik,

You are way off base.  I have the lap-band and I can tell you I DID NOT get it to reduce my portions.  I got it for hunger problems.  I have had a "satiety disorder" since I was born (my pediatrician said I'd "grow out of it").  There are some people that truly have, PHYSICAL, problems that lead to obesity.  The lap-band has saved my life.  For the first time in my life, I actually know what full feels like.  I can eat any food (they say go for protein first, then veggie, then carb).  I can eat things like bread, pasta, rice, etc but those are not daily items.  I eat salads, stir-fry, and lean cuts of meat daily.  It is amazing to me what full actually feels like.  I mean, I didn't know you could go through the day WITHOUT feeling hunger.  That was a new thing for me.  I am in my 20's and wish I could have had this before.  I have always had a healthy diet (I don't eat fried food, fast food, and rarely desserts), but it was all about hunger and portions.  Yes, I have gone on diets and limited my volume but the hunger was physically so painful I'd vomit stomach acid and get a splitting headache.  My doctor said it is not common to have these hunger/satiety problems, but there are obese people out there suffering like this.

So, before you get on your soapbox about putting duct tape over someone's mouth, think about what could have lead to the person's obesity. 

Oh, and I have played sports since I was 3 years old, so exercise was not absent in my life.  Hunger destroyed all weight loss attempts and the lap-band has given me a cure to the hunger.  Is a cure to obesity?  In my case yes.  Others with the band have to deal with inner demons and cope with stress eating, lack of exericse, or binge eating.  But not everyone is like that.

That would be great in a perfect world, but some of us are heavy from the time we are born and all thru our lives, this on top of some medical conditions cause our weight problem, I had the lapband put in and that is where I am learning to eat right and less with the help I need to reach my goal, believe it or not when a person is overweight they dont feel overweight it takes alot of thinking and the decision is not an easy one, it is a lifetime decision. I spent more on my Degree than I did to help my health.

I am very happy on the lap band, it was a hard decision to make and it is a lifetime decision, the best part is working with a Nutritionist to helps set the meals, the diet is limited but only for about 6-8weeks, then you reintroduce food back into your system, protein first veggies next and then the rest, the best part is the energy that comes each day don't worry about the liquid diet, know what you want to accomplish, finish your consultation including the meal prep and then make your decision.

It is the best one I made and each day is better and better, If you ask me and you are willing to follow thru with it go for it!!!!

loriklorik,

why even reply to this post if you're going to be so rude? if you have a mean opinion- how about keeping it to yourself. i continue to be shocked by the immaturity i see in adults. everyone who is on this site has issues with their weight in one way or another. my mother, sister, and aunt have all had lap band surgery and it was life changing for them. also, you know nothing about someone's person situation. my mother has a blown out knee and was unable to exercise, my sister also has handicaps that make it very hard for her to excerxise (and no, they are no obesity related) so, i took personal offense to your cruel response. and as far as "spending lots of money" most insurance companies cover part or all of lap band surgery costs if you have health concerns because of your weight.

suijuris03,

congrats on making a decision that will lead to a healthier you. :] i would definetly recomend sticking to the diet exactly, or there is a good chance you will throw up after eating. (post surgery) it's also important to doctors to make sure you can stick to a very particular diet, to insure that you can keep the weight off after surgery. good luck!

Does anyone know what happens if you don't stick to the pre-diet?

I understand that you had lapband? How long has it been and how much have you lost? Did you stick to the 14 day pre-diet of liquids? Do you know what would happen if you don't stick to it? I'm having it soon but I could'nt stick totally to it?