And the Journey begins.......

Yesterday (November 22, 2011) was the official start to my pre-op preparation. I started my Optifast. The timing is not so great, two days before Thanksgiving. Believe me it was not planned that way. I had even verified prior to confirming to the surgery date that it would not be started before Thanksgiving.  I was misinformed....oh well. Need to start at some point.

What is Optifact and why am I on it?
Optifast  is a pre-packaged meal plan. For the next two weeks my daily meals consist of:

1 Protein bar (chocolate peanut butter)
4 shakes (chocolate or Strawberry)
1 soup (chicken or tomato)

The purpose of the this two week diet is the need to shrink my liver so the surgeon can access my stomach easier. It is expected for me to lost 10-20 pounds in the next two weeks....OK. That will be a good start! The only current side effect I am feeling is the onset of a bad headache (but that has only started a few minutes ago). Hopefully I will be able to sleep it off.

 For more information go to: OPTIFAST

But this is only the start of my restricted diet The first 10 days after my surgery I will be on a liquid diet which will consist of and according to my booklet form Bluepoint Surgical Group:

Liquid Diet

• Clear liquids (water, crystal lite, decaff coffee/tea, broth)
• Fat free or 1% milk
• Protein Drinks
• Sugar Free pudding
• Fat free yogurt
• low-fat creamed soup
• Vegetable Juice
• Sugar Free Jell-O

 After my 10 day liquid  diet ( so around December 17th) I will be on a "Mushy" diet for about 4 weeks:

Mushy Diet

• Meals will be the consistency of being pureed
• Three meals and two protein supplements per day
• The meals will be about 2 oz= 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons

On the Mushy Diet I will have No-No foods:

No No Foods

• Nuts, popcorn and corn
• Seeds in foods like cucumbers, tomatoes, raspberries and blackberries....
• Raw veggies and raw hard fruit (such as apples)
• Bread, rice and pasta
• Greasy foods
• Any food that has more then 6 grams of sugar

After about 4-6 weeks I should be able to start gradually eating solid foods (so around March). My diet is not as vigorous after surgery as patience having the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass. But it will be enough for me to be well on my way to a life style change.

Granted having the LapBand is not as invasive as the sleeve or bypass. But its still a huge change. I can appreciate the courage it takes for patience to undergo the other types of surgery but I know the band was the right choice for me.

I am very thankful for the great support network I have. I am reminded almost daily that is was the right choice. And I will keep saying it to myself tomorrow as my family and friends are enjoying their Turkey Day Feast.