All-Stars Preo-op diet thread

[LindaS 316]

Pre op diets shrink your liver, so there is less chance of it being in the way during your surgery. Your liver sits on top of your stomach.

[Kami 9]

Can you share your broths receipe?

Sure! He didn't give me an exact recipe, but here's the scoop.

You start with veggies for flavor - make it 50% onions, 25% carrots, 25% celery. I think this stage has a fancy name - mirepoix or something like that. Cook them down a bit with just a bit of oil. Then add the Water, I guess just enough to fill up a decent sized Soup pan. Throw in some parsley, maybe a bay leaf, maybe some tarragon or thyme.

Then you decide what type of broth you want -- I'm going to make some chicken broth from a rotisserie chicken carcass. Otherwise, just throw in a bit of beef or chicken, probably better if you have some with a bone attached. But he did say you can throw in ground beef even (not sure if it is supposed to be cooked first - I'll check. He also suggested making a mushroom broth with some fancy mushrooms.

Then you cook at low heat for at least an hour. Let it cool a bit and then strain through cheesecloth.

Maybe a lot of work, but it sounds yummy, and it will let me control the sodium level. Oh, I didn't say to add salt, but add salt and pepper to your own preference. I'm going to make up a couple the weekend before I start pre-op and just freeze some.

Another co-worker told me that you can get organic chicken broth at costco that is yummy, so I might look for that too. Given that broth seems to be the only savory thing I can have, I'm anticipating needing a lot of it.

[mamamckinzie 92]

Kami

Thanks for the receipe sharing for broth. I have never made it (always used canned) and was wondering how to. I am going to try and make some this weekend.

Today I am starting out on Medifast just to get into gear. I have been overeating alot lately with food funerals and I think I am done. Ready to get this under control.

Not scared about surgery...had enough rounds of surgery I know how my body handles it. Just looking forward to becoming "unchained" to hunger.

Mini Mermaid..each surgeon has their own protocol for preop. Probably based on how they were trained. My preop is only 2 days before surgery of Clear Liquids but I want to transition my body so that is why I am doing MF this week. The other doc in the same practice requires his patients do a 2 week.

Good luck All Stars as we move closed to August! We can do this!!!!!

[MeMeMEEE 206]

Is anyone going to track during pre-op? I set myfitnesspal to the limits my NUT gave 1000 calories, 115 Protein and 125 carbs. Let's see what happens!! If anyone wants to be my friend on there let me know!!

[mamamckinzie 92]

mememeee...I tracked my intake today so far on myfitnesspal too. So far so good!

[SunnyinSD 0]

I started my pre-op diet yesterday. I can have 5 shakes/day plus one prepackaged meal and one Protein Bar, but a minimum of the 5 shakes per day. Thankfully I've been doing this diet for the last 2 weeks "unofficially" so yesterday wasn't bad at all. I just need to make sure that I don't "cheat" here and there like I was in the last few weeks. Can you tell that I was excited to get this show on the road? I actually started my diet early on purpose

[MeMeMEEE 206]

a little disappointed in the unflavored - someone said it wasn't bad in crystal light so I tried it - I think I would rather have a regular shake and get more protein!! Has anyone found anything where unflavored is near undetectable?

[Heatherr 149]

I'm so jealous of those of you who get actual food - or a very short pre-op diet! I'm in the group with just 4 Protein shakes plus broth, SF drinks/popsicles/jello. I got some advice on how to make yummy broths from a co-worker who is a former chef. I was figuring on broth + shakes as each meal to fill myself up as much as possible.

To those of you who have already started severe pre-op diets -- how bad is it? Tolerable? Please let me know if you figure out any tricks to make it easier to handle. I'll start my pre-op on Aug. 10, so still a ways away.

I'm on day 3 and it's pretty flipping intolerable. I'm angry and mean and just want some food. And I have lost 47lbs dieting on my own over the last few months, so it's not like I've been eating much food anyway. I would kill for a couple shrimp and some asparagus. I salivate at the thought of salad and the idea of steak is like porn at this point.

<sigh> .....off to have another shake before bed

[MeMeMEEE 206]

ooo steak porn! LOL I cooked hamburger helper for my husband tonight and really just wanted to taste it!!!

[MeMeMEEE 206]

I am craving meat! cheese! anything NOT sweet!! having some chicken broth...ugh

[mamamckinzie 92]

Having a SF Jello and Isopure for breakfast! Trying to be good and behave. Just taking it one meal at a time. Besides I have no room to complain cuz my preop is so short. I feel for the ones who have to go longer. I did Medifast for almost 9 months so I do how hard the shake thing can get.

[casuzarry 0]

Hi

I started my diet last Monday and have surgery on the 8th. I have 3 Protein shakes a day to get to 100gr Protein and unlimited non starchy vegetables and broth. I keep getting on the scale and I've only lost one pound. I know its not the purpose of the pre-op diet but its freaking me out for after the surgery. Any advice?

[2nd chance 0]

I start my pre-op diet on Tuesday morning and go for 1 week. I too am grateful for the shorter time, but NOT looking forward to it. How do you create the weight loss ticker?

I start my pre-op diet on Monday and thought it would be nice for us to have a tread where we can talk about our pre-ops if we have them.

I have to do 4 Protein shakes a day. 64oz Fluid and unlimited non starchy veggies. I can also choose 6 of the following - v8, oatmeal/cream of wheat, low fat yogurt with no fruit, no sugar added applesauce and sugar free pudding. My plan is to make a huge pot of veggie Soup tomorrow to eat as lunch/dinner, also planning salads, sauteed veggies and fresh veggies in a plain greek yogurt dip (hidden valley ranch). I figure the oatmeal and cream of wheat will do me for Breakfast along with a Protein shake when I get up. I love sugar free Popsicles and can see myself eating lots of them! I am worried about doing it for 2 weeks, worried about coming up with different ideas and such, but am thankful my pre-op does have some variety available!!

How about anyone else?

[Jimmy James 0]

I'm in the 2 shakes plus a small meal camp. I eat the following each day more or less:

2 shakes, 1 sandwich with 4 ounces of ham on double Fiber bread, 1 banana, and 1 container of yogurt (light). I can have some non-starchy veggies, but the sound diet including veggies has always eluded me.

I'm actually doing things strangely I suppose. I completely understand and will adhere to the principle of four eating opportunities during a day post-surgery, but I spread this food out to deal with the issue of hunger. I eat the sandwich around noon, the banana around 3, the yogurt around 6, shake number one around 9, and shake number two around midnight. We were advised in nutrition class the timing and distribution of the items in the diet didn't matter, just the content.

So far, I think it has been very tolerable. The biggest issue for me is that I'll pass some food ad or somebody eating something delicious I can't have and have to remind myself I can't have that. I love about this surgery that more or less nothing will be off limits in reasonable quantity once in a while unlike the notorious RnY dumping, so I just remind myself nothing is permanently off limits when this happens and I get through okay. People around me are worried I'll be despondent or crabby, but I don't think I have been.

[mamaof4boys 1]

I have to follow the Adkins diet for 2 weeks before surgery. So basically no carbs. I got really lucky compared to most of you on liquid diets!!