Pre-Op Diet

[SusanSleevey 0]

I was supposed to start the liquid thingy one week out which was yesterday as my surgery is on the 13th. I am ok during the day, but when I get home yup...I ate. I can not even think about drinking those nasty Protein Shakes so I found some clear liquid protiens that are awesome, but I am STARVING! I am hungry right now as I write this. I did better for food today then yesterday's PIZZA! Today it was just a couple of tator tots and a scrambled egg or two So I see some people have three week diet and then some a 24 hour liquid diet and some a week? What give? Doctor said it was to reduce the size of my liver. Just don't know why there are so many variations. I should have started a couple days before because I can see myself going 100% liquid by Friday.

[iegal 460]

You need some tough love.

PreOp diet is to help you so surgeon does not possibly lacerate your liver during surgery. Surgery can be longer and more dangerous due to a fatty liver. Your surgeon only looking out for your wellbeing. You also are on this diet to help you for post op, which is liquid diet too. If you cheat postop you could cause a leak. Yes, the preop diet is a form of torture. The sleeve works but first you must get sleeved. What you need is to remember that this is all about you and you only. You are only jeopardizing yourself and your future success. How much do you want this surgery to be successful and minimize the risks? My surgeon was a straight no humor man who told me he would not complete surgery if my liver was too fatty. Yep, they can tell.

I was two weeks total liquids only preop diet and I did not cheat once. Not once and it was so hard I still remember it, almost like labor. I cried, I was mean; I was in agony at all the commercials bombarding me on TV so I can empathize with your dilemma. T.ips - get out of the lunch room and drink alone in your car with a good book. Take a walk. Cry. What ever it takes for the short time frame. You can do anything for a couple of days for this miracle ahead of you.

Advice? Suck it up and put on your big girl drawers. You are worth the next few days of anguish to begin a journey of successful weight loss. Best wishes!

[Penpen 28]

I totally agree with iegal. And it is very hard at first. I'm at day 9 and I'm okay now. Maybe you need to find a Protein drink that you like. My husband has used Muscle Milk Protein powder for probably a year or so now. I had drank it once or twice as a Meal Replacement in the past, so I thought I could handle it for my preop. And the doctor was okay with that. Well, after drinking 2 in a roll on the first day, I thought I was going to gag! So I went out that day and found something else and I love it. It's Syntha-6 chocolate milkshake flavor. Just a suggestion! You have to be able to tolerate what you put in your mouth.

I had read it from others on this forum that the first couple of days were hell but after that it wasn't a big deal. I couldn't believe it. But NOW I do. My 3rd or 4th day out, my hunger subsided. I'm okay now.

You can do this! You have to do this for your own health! Buy some chewing gum (sugar free), sugar free Jello, and drink lots of Water in-between. Pretty soon, you won't even need things like Jello. You'll be content with what you have. I know it's hard to believe but it's true. My first day I had a horrible meltdown...now I'm okay.