How perfect does the "practice" diet have to be??? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

AndreaP · 08-26-2009, 07:24 PM

Hey, all,

I am in week 3 of the "practice diet", where I guess I'm supposed to be both losing some weight and proving that I can make the lifestyle changes (if insurance approves, I'll be having RNY in December).

Anyone else in the midst of this? How perfect am I expected to be? I mean, if I could follow a diet well, I wouldn't be IN this mess to start with!

Do they just want me to demonstrate some changes, but still it's OK if I'm eating somewhat normally (normal for me)--my usual bigger portions, occasional pizza, etc, or am I expected to eat as well as I will have to after surgery? Do I have to lose a lot of weight, or just a little?

I'm uncomfortable asking at my doctor's office--I don't want to be seen as trying to "get out" of the work--it's just that there's part of me that wants these last precious months of eating pizza, soda, etc..I didn't expect to have to change everything so fast!

Any advice/commiseration?

Laureate · 08-26-2009, 07:34 PM

Andrea, is this the diet required by insurance, or the weight they want you to lose pre-surgery? The pre-surgery weight is important because if helps shrink the tight area around the liver and give the surgeons more room -- especially for Lap RNY, which I assume is what you'll be having.

Best thing to do, though, is have an honest talk with your doc and his staff about what it's for. I'm having to lose 15 pounds by late October or early November, and it helps to know that they may turn me away if I don't!

Also, if you are struggling, most docs will help you with a liquid diet or some appetite suppresents and the like.

Good luck. Hope this helps!

this-is-it · 08-26-2009, 07:35 PM

Probably every surgeon's office has a little bit different idea on this. Have you met with the nutritionist yet? They will best be able to answer that based on what your surgeon wants. My clinic wants me to demonstrate that I am willing to make changes, but not having the "tool" yet, it is moderate changes and a 5% weight loss. They don't expect me to be perfect, which is good because I'm not!

poet_kelly · 08-27-2009, 12:59 PM

Well, the "practice diet" is pretty important, but if you're not perfect, that should be all right. How long is your practice diet?

There are a couple of reasons for it, I think. One is that the more weight you can lose before the surgery, the easier and safer your surgery will be. And your recovery will be easier, too. Also, right before your surgery they usually put you on a very low fat diet, sometimes just liquids, to help shrink your liver. And this makes your surgery safer. In addition, obviously you are going to have to change your eating habits a LOT after surgery. It's good to start getting into the habit now. It will make it easier then, when it is much more important not to slip up.

I know, if we were good at diets we probably wouldn't need surgery in the first place. First off, though, I suggest you try not to think of this as a diet. It's really not. It's a lifestyle change. It's how you eat now. From now on. Pretty much forever. And try to keep in mind that you are practicing. It's not a matter of being deprived. You are getting healthier, and you are practicing for your surgery, which I imagine you want very much.

It's not realistic right now to eat the same way you will after surgery. You will need bigger portions right now than you will after surgery. But you should start practicing portion control. Did your doctor or dieitican tell you about how much you should be eating? If not, ask.

You should also start cutting certain things out of your diet. Soda. Caffeine. Snack foods. Fatty foods. Sugar.

Also, there are things you need to start making sure you do have in your diet. You need at least 60 grams of protein per day. You need at least 64 ounces of fluid per day. It might be hard for you to get that much, I don't know. Start working on it now. It will definitely make it easier afterward. Also, getting enough protein before surgery will help you heal faster from the surgery.

You should know that many of your favorite foods, you will be able to eat again after surgery. Just not for a while. I can't tolerate sugary foods now, but I can eat most anything else. I eat things like pizza. I don't eat it often and I don't eat it a lot. But I haven't given it up forever. You probably won't have to, either. So don't go crazy trying to eat up all your favorites "one last time."

Keep in mind, also, that some docs will cancel your surgery if you don't lose a certain amount of weight before hand. That should be a pretty powerful motivator!

Kelly