Comparing myself to others... doing a number on my head

[measureofme 175]

So I started my Pre-op Diet on Saturday. It has 19 points on it that read more like a healthy-living lifestyle guide rather than a super-conservative, hard core diet that I was expecting. I'm managing the 19 points just fine, but feel like I'm cheating... I read about so many others, especially with super high BMI's like my own, who have to do full on liquid diets in this time period.

I have even been following the video blog of another recent sleever, same surgeon as me, who mentions repeatedly his two week pre-op liquid diet. I contacted my coordinator to be SURE that what I had was the guidlines they wanted me to follow and yes, I have the info they want me to have. LOL I'm so concerned that I've finally asked to have a consultation with my surgeon, that happens tomorrow.

I have to just step back and remember that each doctor is different, right? The point of the pre-op plan is to not only prepare your body for surgery but to also help get you in the mindset you need after surgery. Right? (I DO move to the full clear liquid diet three days prior.) Then I think about how I've been eating since the weekend and think I'm not doing so bad... Using a mix of HMR protien drinks with fruits and vegetables and one meat at night... reducing my portions (moving to a small plate to help that), drinking more Water, sipping, keeping up with Vitamins. I felt so GUILTY with my potato for lunch (didn't realize I'd polished off the carrot/snap pea bag!). GAH! Call me a psychologist, will ya?!

Just terrified to get there (Mexico sleever here!) only to have them open me up and say they cannot do it because my liver is in the way or I didn't loose enough before surgery... that they had me confused with someone else... or I missed the fine print.

I guess I'm just venting and I need to stop and TRUST these people. And I do. I guess it's me I don't trust.

[stomlin75 161]

You're almost there. It won't be long before you look back at the pre-op time as a blur. It's hard while you're in it but just take it one day at a time and before long, your day will be here and your new life begins!

[SoCalDixieGal 172]

Yeah, it can get so confusing when on these forums you see such varied pre-op/post-op instructions and behaviors. I'm trying to read it more from a "that's interesting" angle and just follow what my doctor has recommended.

The harder part will likely be post-op and not comparing your weight loss to anyone else.

[kimbernada 190]

My pre-op diet was three Bariatric Advantage shakes a day, unlimited vegetables, and one meal 300 calories or less. I had a shake for Breakfast, my frozen dinner at lunch, a shake at around 3 pm, and another one around 6 pm. (And baby carrots in my little fridge under my desk at work and in my fridge at home.) No clear liquid diet prior to surgery for me. The only thing that I DID do that wasn't required was to drink some magnesium citrate the day before surgery to clean out the innards. (Not sure if I would do that again because then I had to spend the day in the bathroom instead of relaxing.) LOL