Sample day: Pre-op Lap-band Diet

Below is the sample diet that my nutritionist gave me at my eval.  My daily goal is to intake 85g of protein DAILY geeeeeez

Reminder that some people don't even get put on pre-op diets and i've read others get put on low-carb low-fat but not all liquid till a few days before the surgery...i dunno why?

Breakfast
8 ounces orange juice
1 container Yoplait light yogurt, 5 grams protein
1 lean body RTD (Ready to drink), 25g protein
*In the morning is when I drink the ready-made protein shakes (Atkins Advantage or Advant-edge)

Snack: 1 no sugar added fudgsicle.  (MY FAVORITE)

Drink 16 oz of calorie free and carbonation free and caffeine-free beverage in between the meals.

Lunch
1 scoop (1/2 serving) muscle milk light powder (in 8 oz of water), 12.5g protein
1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese, 15g protein
1/2 cup regular jello
1 cup broth

Snack:
1 cup plain chicken broth
8 oz apple juice

Drink 16 oz of calorie free and carbonation free and caffeine-free beverage in between these meals.

Dinner 
1 scoop (1/2 serving) muscle milk light powder, 12.5g protein w/
1 cup skim milk (8 oz), 8g protein
1 no sugar added fudgsicle
1 cup plain beef broth

Drink 16 oz of calorie free and carbonation free and caffeine-free beverage in between these meals.

Total protein: 78g*
Total oz: 80 oz

*minimal protein is found in some other items used above but these were not included in total protein count.

My two week pre-op diet (guidelines)

Alright friends, here are the guidelines that I've had to follow so far...if you were limited to these items daily, you'd be counting the days down to surgery too!  At first, the diet was easy and I was super motivated.  On the 4th or 5th day I started getting that craving for fast food (especially with payday right around the corner).  My family has been very supportive and I'm lucky.  So far I've done well but I won't lie...I've been dying for some McDonalds or Pizza or SOMETHING!!! But I keep reminding myself (and friends keep reminding me; thanks all) that this is a small sacrifice for the results that I'm going to see in the long-run.  The funny thing is that I ate a lot less before this diet than what I eat now.  The only difference is WHAT i'm eating.  Hee hee 

That is one of my main problems with my food addiction, of course.  I am the type of girl that wants the immediate satisfaction and the immediate results and, you get the drill.  So...it's definitely something I will need to keep working on...focusing on the long-term results, long-term satisfaction.  These little tips could sure help me with my finances too! LOL 

I'm sure that if you wanted to lose a little weight, you could pull a few of the below guidelines to replace some not so healthy foods that you currently enjoy ;) 

The nutritional guidelines are as follows: 

1. Juice, Gatorade, or powerade: Limit to 2 eight ounce cups or less each day. 

* I've been drinking one cup of apple juice and I opted for the Powerade Zero option, since they allow you to drink unlimited powerade ZERO 

2. Regular jello, fruit flavored regular popsicles, or no sugar added fudgsicles: 3 or less servings each day 

* That's right, FUDGSICLES!  It's one of a few things that has got me through this diet so far!  I bought them at Wal-mart for like 3.38/box 

*I also opted for sugar-free popsicles (same price as the fudgsicles) because you can have as many of those as you want AND did you know they were only 15 calories a popsicle?? Crazy!   Sometimes, the crunchiness of the popsicle helps take away the urge to eat something too.  

3. Milk (skim, 1%, Lactaid, or 2%; 8 ources or 1 cup= 1 serving)  Light Yogurt (Dannon Light, Yoplait Light, Activia Light, each 6-8 oz container is 1 serving) Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup =1 serving): 3  or less from this category each day. 

* I have one of each per day.  The milk I use for my protein shakes count as one serving.  

4. Low Carb Protein Shake:  2 servings a day allowed. (Look for these at GNC, Wal-Mart, or Drugstore.com).  DO NOT BUY: other versions of 'health shakes' i.e. Slim fast, Ensure, Boost, etc.  These are higher in carbohydrates, and not high enough in protein.  Generally each protein shake serving should provide >20g protein and <10g carbs, <3g Sugar.  

* I've bought all my protein products at Wal-mart and they've worked great.  I bought the $15 tub of whey protein that has 52g protein for every 2 scoops.  I only use one scoop for each shake (2 a day).  I also bought the ready made shakes for my breakfast drink.  I've tried AdvantEdge? and the Atkins Advantage shakes.  Both taste really good and have low sugar and low carbs, and they're cheaper than other brands with higher carbs and sugars.  

These liquids can be taken in any amount (pre & post-op) since they do not contain sugar: 

1. Sugar-free beverages such as Crystal Light, Wyler's Light, Sugar-free Kool-aid or Sugar-free Tang, diet Snapple, diet sodas <<<(not sure why they list this because it also says not to drink carbonated beverages..confusing---i haven't drank carbonated beverages at all), Powerade Zero, Propel, DECAF COFFEE or TEA with SUGAR SUBSTITUTE (like Splenda)<<<this is my favorite, I was NOT going to have surgery if I was not allowed to have my daily cup of coffee each day. I know it sounds silly, but it was a requirement!  

2. Broth Soups (all varieties) 

3. Sugar-free fruit flavored popsicles and sugar-free jello.  

ATTENTION DIABETICS: For those with diabetes they recommend consuming 15 grams of carbs every 1-2 hours.  Try to continue protein source (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, or shake) each time you drink carbs.  Be sure to monitor your blood sugars and contact your doctor if necessary.  If your blood sugar is >150mg, spread out these sugar sweetened liquids over a 3 hour period.  

Liquids with 15g of carbs:

-3/4 cup carbonated beverage with soda 

-1/2 cup orange, apple, or grapefruite juice 

-1 popsicle 

-1 cup milk

-6 oz light yogurt (Dannon Light, Yoplait Light or Colombo Light)

-1/2 cup cottage cheese 

-1/3 cup regular jello 

-1/2 cup Kool Aid 

-1 tbsp. honey or sugar (can be used to sweeten a beverage)  

See my next post for a sample day of the pre-op diet 

The first day of my new life

I'm so excited for what the future will hold... 
Soon, we'll be moving back to our hometown of El Paso and I couldn't have chosen a better time for a fresh start.  Today I began my first day of my prescribed pre-op diet.  I'm scheduled for surgery Monday, March 28th. 
Two weeks from today I could be dead. 
The reality of the situation is that I've chosen to take action now to avoid dying at a young age later anyway.  My weight issues began a long time ago, so long I can't remember when I could call myself thin.  It wasn't really a problem for me though.  I have always been very confident, regardless of my size.  Unfortunately, I may have gotten too confident and stopped thinking at one point of the risks involved.  My biggest wake-up call was a little over 4 years ago when I almost died.  I had to go into the hospital at 6 1/2 months pregnant after experiencing the worst pain of my life.  My head felt like it was going to explode!  That day, I was admitted to the hospital for Pre-eclampsia symptoms and later diagnosed with the HELLP syndrome. 

• H -- hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells)
• EL -- elevated liver enzymes
• LP -- low platelet count

  
  

  HELLP syndrome occurs in about 1 to 2 out of 1,000 pregnancies.  I've always been sooo lucky!  Actually, I was lucky that time.  I remember the Dr. walking in to the room and telling me that my baby probably wouldn't survive, and then he left the room.  Needless to say, his bedside manners were more than lacking.  My little princess must have heard him in the womb and responded bravely with a "Oh yeah?...watch me!"  One week later, after steroids, more meds, bedrest, my little one decided it was time.  That day was the best and worst day of my life.  My daughter came into this world at a whopping 1lb 14 oz.  She was sooo tiny.  I had seen pictures before of what preemies look like, but it's a completely different story when that preemie is yours and when you see that baby in person.  I wasn't even able to see her until later that morning, hours after my c-section.  I could go on for days about that experience and what my husband, myself and my daughter experienced.  I am amazed that God allowed me to have her in my life.  

  
  

  SHE is the main reason why I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks.  I can no longer stand not having the energy and not being active with her on a regular basis.  My joints are starting to suffer and I run out of breath just walking.  I can't go on like this.  

  
  

  So, I'm hoping that today will be the first day of my new life.  

  
  

  I got through today's liquid diet without cheating and without craving something that I know isn't good for me to eat.  I'm going to make this the standard for every day from now on.  It's the only way that I know I will succeed.  I'm going to choose healthy.  

  
  

  Right now, the biggest worry for me is the actual surgery.  I am SOOO scared that something bad will happen.  I am asking God to get me through the surgery and I will do my part after to make sure I stay healthy and live out the life that he wanted me to live.  I have wasted too much time eating my worries, my sadness, my life away!  

  I'm determined to change the way I look at food and my past dependency on it to make me feel better.  

  
  

  Not one more day am I willing to waste away.  
  

  
  

  God, please help me through this journey.  I'm closing my blog today with a link to a prayer for overcoming addiction.  PRAYER

  Please pray this prayer with me...