Is It Too Soon To Start Pre Op Diet?

[Alexandra39 72]

Hi,

I posted recently but go no replies/feedback I hope this time I'll be lucky, lol. Well, my PCP told me that by looking at the paperwork we have so far, the surgery should be by August. I figure Sept the latest. I can't wait. I have started to prepare since last week. I have been watching what I eat, keeping a diary and drinking more Water, I want to know if the nutritist will give me a meal plan or a list of things I can eat or not. It would be easier with more structure. I am tracking my calories right now and making sure I don't go over. I haven't yet. For example, yesterday I went to Applebee's and ordered a chicken Ceasar salad. I ate the chicken first, I did not eat the croutons and I basically ate just half the salad. I am trying to train my brain to stop eating when I get a sense of fullness. I could have eaten more but I didn't because the salad is 820 calories which includes the dressing it was drenched in. I had water by sips only about half a glass.

I do feel hungry. I find myself thinking of what I can eat that won't be so bad. Last night I had a sugar free Jello 10 calories and a 16oz bottle of water to try and feel full and calm my stomach. I went to sleep shortly after. It's tough, but I'm trying.

Do any of you get anxious or restless when you're hungry. That's what is happening with me, I'm going to try to drink more water to see if it helps me with feeling full.

[bethany1987 66]

My nut gave me a diet plan for the pre op diet. I decided not to do anything before that. I know a lot of people on here say to start training yourself for how you'll be eating after surgery but in my opinion there is no way to really prepare yourself. After surgery everything tastes different and feels different. You're full after a few bites so it's pretty easy to not over indulge. I know this is not the common opinion here but I say enjoy yourself and enjoy food before your pre op diet. This is the last time for a while that you can eat what you want. In the end it's your decision and you're the only one who will know what is going to make this part of the process easiest on you.

Good luck on your journey

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[NJsharon 119]

I would say to enjoy yourself until you do officially start your pre-op diet too!

Don't worry this early on about sipping liquids or higher Protein etc. You will have plenty of time for that soon.

[136HereICome 11]

I am also trying to train myself to east for post surgery, what I have decided to do is eat what I want four days a week and focus on the high Protein liquid diet three days a week just so I can get used to the shakes

[Alexandra39 72]

Thank you all for your replies. My family keeps telling me to start eating less and more healthy. That's what I really meant to do...so it won't so difficult after the surgery. I've been reading about the Protein shakes, but my surgeon hasn't mentioned anything about that yet. She just metioned Vitamins after the surgery. I've just been eating less, eating slower, drinking Water and eating the order she suggested; Proteins first, veggies second and carbs last. Maybe when I meet with the nutrionist she will tell me about the Protein Shakes and how long before I have to start the real pre op diet. For now I will take your advice and enjoy, without overindulging of course. I have read people say about the last meal syndrome or something of the sort and I don't want to fall into that mindset because that could make me gain more weight.

Thanks for your feedback all.

By the way, how long before your surgery did actually start to consider it as an option? Just Curious. I had been considering it for a while, at least a year I'd say. I've made attempts in the past to lose weight I succeeded once. I lost 10 lbs in a month but then hit a plateau and stopped. I also needed to have an ovarian cyst removes so I was told no to exercise until after the surgery and I just never went back.

I actually started talking to my doctor about it in January or February. Since then I just tried drimking more Water and no more soda. Also, not much fast food. But I haven't lost any weight, I crave sweets often.

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

I agree with people who said not to starve or overly restrict yourself. It's great if you are not going to have daily food funerals til September and avoid weight gain; dropping a few pounds would be the icing on the cake, but honestly, you cannot even begin to compare the amount of work needed to drop 5 lbs pre-op vs. post-op. However, I think it's a good time to start exercising regularly, if you are not already doing it - you'll have an easier time recovering and won't be as affected by the post-op muscle loss as you are rapidly losing weight.

[NJsharon 119]

By the way, how long before your surgery did actually start to consider it as an option? Just Curious. I had been considering it for a while, at least a year I'd say. I've made attempts in the past to lose weight I succeeded once. I lost 10 lbs in a month but then hit a plateau and stopped. I also needed to have an ovarian cyst removes so I was told no to exercise until after the surgery and I just never went back.

I actually started talking to my doctor about it in January or February. Since then I just tried drimking more Water and no more soda. Also, not much fast food. But I haven't lost any weight, I crave sweets often.

I have been considering weight loss surgery since about November last year. Been researching it a bit.

I have done Weight Watchers for so many years & stopped & started it so many times I may have set an official record! LOL But never really lost anything. In fact last time I did 14 weeks & gained weight since when I started! LOL Maybe I set a record there too!

So Jan or Feb I started contacting doctors to see if I would be eligible.

Finally settled on my Doctor & now have a date of May 10th. I will start my pre-op diet (just eating healthy) on friday. Then 3 days pre-op I do my liquid only diet.