pre-operative liquid diet

[lashacarpenter 11]

I'm in the beginning stage of me 4 week long liquid diet. I'm really struggling and it the first day. I never realized how much I depend on food. I never thought of myself as an "emotional eater" but seeing what a hard time I'm having wow maybe I am. Does it get easier? I'm scared if I'm this way with this part that after surgery ill be a wreck! Need advice please

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

Hang in there, it does get better. For me, the first 4-5 days is the worst. Typically days 2-3 are my own personal hell. The hunger (physical and emotional) are insane. BUT, for me, the worst is the headache and ridiculous fatigue. (Well, and I always get diarrhea the first few days on Protein shakes). The headache and hunger fade over a few days. I swear after 4-5 days my body realizes I'm not giving up and the hunger starts to fade. Unfortunately the fatigue has always stayed until I'm allowed to eat more. My best advice is hide from the world, sleep when you can, drink Water or crystal light all day long and try to keep busy. Week 2 has always been a fair amount better for me.

It is SO worth it in the end....even the post-op liquid diet is a breeze compared to pre-op. keep your chin up and your eye on the prize!!!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 207.4

[mamafine23 101]

Absolutely it does get better and you will mourn food and I'm just finally eating something other than puréed foods and I'm 15 weeks out post op

[lashacarpenter 11]

Thank you both I'm really scared but I know this is the best thing I can do! Thank you

[lirri 40]

You can do this! It does get better.

[tsworkinger 16]

I start my 10 day liquid diet tomorrow and I'm really nervous about it!!!

[LeanerLena5426 61]

I tried to add a few extra weeks to my pre-op liquid diet, just "for fun"--ha! I have not been successful in sticking to it (mind you I will for the 2 weeks pre-op required by my surgeon!).

My advice is to steer clear of temptation: family gatherings, parties, even tv shows about food. That's what did me in. I'd do well for 1-3 days, then in a social situation (when I didn't want work colleagues to know I'm on Optifast), I end up caving.

But, it does get better! The first few days are the worst, and then you get used to it. The hunger--physical and emotional--gets much better once your body adjusts. I would also advise you to indulge yourself in other ways for the first couple of days while you're just getting used to it. Maybe that means lying in bed all day because you have a huge headache and are light-headed; if that's what you need to do, so be it, it's ok! Or maybe it means getting out of the house and keeping busy so you're distracted. Just give yourself permission to indulge in some other way, at least for those first few days.

I'm back on my "just for fun" liquid diet again, too. My official pre-op start date is next Tuesday. We can do this!

[lashacarpenter 11]

Thank you! I'm really having trouble I'm thinking if I'm having so much trouble with this liquid diet how am I going to do after surgery? I'm scarred ill fail. I'm just plane scared at this point, having a lot of people saying why can't you do this without surgery? Your going to change you body for life! Is it really worth it? Mind you I'm not going to be around those people anymore after that but it has put alittle doubts where I thought I was ok with everything. I'm just scared.

[LeanerLena5426 61]

I hear ya. And then I went and tried the liquid diet, and failed! So, I'm having the same fears and doubts myself. But here's the thing: the liquid diet is BRUTAL. It's not fun at all, it's torture. It's not representative of what your life will be like post-op, once you're fully recovered. Trust me, I've had a lap-band, so I know. The pre-op liquid diet is actually much harder than it is post-op, for several reasons. First of all, you haven't had surgery yet, so you're still experiencing full hunger, full appetite, and are used to eating a large volume of real food. Second, the liquid diet tastes pretty bad (unlike the variety of foods you can eat for the rest of your life). Third, it's only liquid--that's not satisfying the way chewing real food is. So, there are many reasons why the pre-op liquid diet is very challenging, and struggling with it is NOT indicative of future failure. Promise.

[ajustice 484]

Thank you! I'm really having trouble I'm thinking if I'm having so much trouble with this liquid diet how am I going to do after surgery? I'm scarred ill fail. I'm just plane scared at this point' date=' having a lot of people saying why can't you do this without surgery? Your going to change you body for life! Is it really worth it? Mind you I'm not going to be around those people anymore after that but it has put alittle doubts where I thought I was ok with everything. I'm just scared.[/quote']

It's hell no doubt and yeah post op liquids aren't fun either but it is easier cause after surgery u don't have that hunger that makes u want to eat the paint off the walls! It's definitely a game of will power & how much u want it and keep reassuring yourself it's doable. I think I was pretty awful to be around preop. I agree with soccer mom...sleep what u can and even things like Popsicles are helpful. I had such a variety pre op it helped

[lashacarpenter 11]

Thank you I'm just in a I'm not eating bad frame of mind place, I swear they must be crazy 4 weeks pre opt liquid diet then after 4 weeks liquid diet, yup ill be losing some weight alright

[ajustice 484]

Thank you I'm just in a I'm not eating bad frame of mind place' date=' I swear they must be crazy 4 weeks pre opt liquid diet then after 4 weeks liquid diet, yup ill be losing some weight alright[/quote']

Yep and that's one of the beauties of u. Doesn't make it less u will have to lose and closer to goal.

[Cici22 27]

Thank you! I'm really having trouble I'm thinking if I'm having so much trouble with this liquid diet how am I going to do after surgery? I'm scarred ill fail. I'm just plane scared at this point' date=' having a lot of people saying why can't you do this without surgery? Your going to change you body for life! Is it really worth it? Mind you I'm not going to be around those people anymore after that but it has put alittle doubts where I thought I was ok with everything. I'm just scared.[/quote']

You will have a smaller tummy and ur system is basically reset so u won't feel as hungry and thise people they are not you they don't know how it feels to be you. It's your body your dessision forget about them.

[erinkenny 7]

sugar free Jello is your friend - you can almost chew it!

I'm a bit over 2 weeks into Optifast and haven't cheated so you can make it too, honey. 15 years ago I did Optifast for 3 months to lose weight (yep, 3 months!) and managed - I just didn't manage to keep the weight off afterwards. Just stay away from everyone else's food or it'll drive you squirrely.