Desert Rat

Aria3, looks like we have the same surgeon and are having the surgery the same day. Good luck to you. Maybe I'll see you surgery day or at one of the support groups. I'm mostly going to do the noon support group because I live in Edgewood and the evening one is just too late for me. I'm excited too, particularly right now to have this whole liquid diet thing over with.

Have no idea. Dr. told me the diet is to shrink my liver, but didn't say that I had to loose weight or demonstrate committment. I know one other person who just had surgery with same Dr. and her diet was same as mine, but we also had same BMI - so it could be with higher BMI the diet becomes more restrictive. Today has been a better day so far. It helped that I was able to sleep in today so I wasn't hungry this morning. It also helped to be able to blend the shake with ice and a little fruit or 2T of almond butter. Got on the scale this morning and already lost 13lbs. I'm sure it's mostly Water weight though. Anyway, I'm a little more hopefull and less irritated today.

My surgery is 11-11-11. Kind of a neat date to have as an anniversary. Glad to be a part of the November Bansters. Currently on my pre-op diet, which is not fun, but I'm hoping it will get a little bit better day-by-day. Thanks for all the great words of encouragement and expectations Cheri. I'm only on day 2 of the liquid diet and I can already say that it is one of the hardest things I've ever done. One question, how much do you work out every week?

Hope you're feeling better very soon and you don't get pneumonia. Glad to hear the surgery wasn't bad. My surgery is going to be on 11-11-11. Just hoping I stay healthy until then so I don't have to postpone the surgery. Good luck.

My surgery is scheduled for 11-11-11 and I'm doing the pre-op diet right now, which is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I also have a very emotional attachment to food that I'm concerned about. When I went on the South Beach Diet and couldn't have carbs for 2 weeks I even started dreaming of sugar. Have you had to see a therapist to help you deal with your emotions or attend a support group? I plan on attending the support group my surgeons office has once a month, but I just don't know if that's really going to help me or not. I'm feeling all kinds of emotions right now, but particularly anxiety, anger, and excitement. Any advice?

Thanks all for your advice and words of encouragement. I'm really looking forward to having this phase over with.

@Pats fan in MA - Thanks for the advise and words of encouragement. I'm going to be so glad to have this phase overwith.

* to no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea * to no longer have to take medications for diabetes and high blood pressure * to no longer have to wear a CPAP mask at night and have to lug it with me every time I travel * to not have to worry about how far I have to walk somewhere * to be able to breath effortlessly * to feel comfortable in public * to sleep better * to feel happier * to be able to do anything that anyone else can do * to be rid of joint pain or at least reduce it significantly * to be able to wear fashionable clothes * to be able to get boots on around my calves * to be able to put on and/or tie shoes without stopping breathing * to change my unhealthy relationship with food * to feel pretty and sexy * to fit in any chair * to not have to sit in the front seat with a car full of people because I don't fit with 2 others in the back seat * to be able to play my guitar better because I can hold the instrument closer to my body * to gain self-esteem * to feel more normal * to be able to snow ski again * to be able to wear a swim suit without feeling gross * to be able to shave my legs without struggling or missing spots * to end my guilty feelings * to not feel like an embarressment to my family and friends Gosh I'm sure I can think of more, but that's just what's pooring off the top of my head right now. This is a great idea as it will help me stay focused when things get rough or difficult and I can't turn to food to sooth pain.

Just started my 2 week pre-op diet yesterday and am starving. I can have 2 protein shakes a day, 1 cup of broth based soup or low-fat cottage cheese and one snack (low fat and sugar free) of either pudding, yogurt, or jello. Other than that I can have all the decaf tea/coffee I want with sugar substitute and non-fat creamer. I've tried taking some fiber pills to help with the hunger, but it's not working very well. I'm noticing that I'm angrier and more irritable. I'm trying to focus on why I'm doing this and that it's only temporary, but there are times when I REALLY want to eat just a little something more to keep my stomach from hurting due to hunger. Any other ideas on what I can do to help me get through this? Thanks

Wow, sounds like most of you have been allowed to have a lot more than my surgeon allows. I just started my pre-op diet yesterday and all I can have is 2 protein shakes a day, 1 cup of broth based soup or 1 cup of low fat cottage cheese, and one snack (all non-fat, sugar free) of either pudding, yogurt, or jello. Other than that all I'm allowed to have is decaf coffee or tea, sugar free drinks, sugar subsitute, non fat creamer. I'm starving and have noticed my mood has become a lot more angry and short tempered. I've been trying to supplement with fiber pills to help me with the hunger, but it's not helping much. I'll be on this diet for 2 weeks, surgery on 11-11-11. My surgeons office told me the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver in order to have better access during surgery to place the band. Surely I will loose some weight as a result of the pre-op diet as I'm starving myself.