How do you not cheat on your pre op diet?

[acubi2 33]

I have been really good for the past week, but I am starting to get a little depressed about not eating fried food again. I know that someday I will be able to again. I had to start my pre op diet really quickly and didn't have much notice so I guess I feel like a missed out on eating one last big meal.

[McButterpants 2,846]

Hang in there, sweetie! You made it this far. You're so close to getting this done.

Sending positive vibes your way.

[acubi2 33]

Thank you!

[BayshoreBuddy 58]

I have been really good for the past week, but I am starting to get a little depressed about not eating fried food again. I know that someday I will be able to again. I had to start my pre op diet really quickly and didn't have much notice so I guess I feel like a missed out on eating one last big meal.

Remember, what you put on, you will have to take off! Binge eating before surgery is not a good idea, remember the purpose for pre-surg dieting is to reduce the size of your liver (easier procedure) and preparing your body for post-op dieting.

Even though I only needed to diet for 1 week pre-op, I chose to diet for 2 weeks. Dr. Reich told me that my surgery was textbook perfect, i.e. no problems. What's more, my recovery has been a cakewalk - NO nausea, NO vomiting, NO reflux, and NO gas pains!

Do the pre-surge dieting - don't cheat, it makes all the difference between an easy operation/recovery and suffering with the many problems you see posted on this blog.

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

You got this. Look at it as an opportunity to start and follow through with better choices. You'll be getting yourself into the best shape you can for your upcoming surgery. AND, you didn't have the added time to dive into "food funerals", leading to possible gain.

Stay strong, it is worth it!!

There is a great thread here http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/78443-the-pre-op-diet-is-not-a-punishment-its-an-opportunity/

Don't worry about what you may or may not have missed out on, you'll be able to have your favorites again if you choose after surgery.

Best of luck!!

[McButterpants 2,846]

You got this. Look at it as an opportunity to start and follow through with better choices. You'll be getting yourself into the best shape you can for your upcoming surgery. AND, you didn't have the added time to dive into "food funerals", leading to possible gain.

Stay strong, it is worth it!!

There is a great thread here http://www.verticals...an-opportunity/

Don't worry about what you may or may not have missed out on, you'll be able to have your favorites again if you choose after surgery.

Best of luck!!

Thanks for posting that, Jerseygirl! I e-mailed it to myself for future reference!!!!!

I'm starting my two week liquid diet next week, so trying to prep. I like the word OPPORTUNITY and will try to look at it that way. It might not always be easy, but she's right - this is two weeks out of my life and the beginning stages of my new life.

[indecision 863]

Its hard that is for sure. I was not so strong. I did really well and cheated during 1 meal. I felt the need to have a food funeral for chicken Wings and beer.... All other meals during that time I was good.

Edited October 23, 2013 by indecision

[ratkins 5]

Thanks Jerseygirl for the link to that post. I must have been a god send. Today is the first day of my pre op diet and as we all know it is really hard. Reading that gave me the energy to go on and fight through it. Thanks again

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

I know it may sound corny to some, but I really believe our mindset going into this is crucial. Knowing that I made the choices I did for myself was empowering, for lack of a better word. No one likes being told what they can and can not have, especially when there are no big, obvious physical repercussions. And no one that loves food likes the idea of giving things up. But you know, we are stronger than we think. No one NEEDS a box of donuts for their survival. You will absolutely hear of folks who had no pre-op diet, cheated throughout, and/or had food funerals up the wazoo. But none of us know each others histories. Maybe my doctor always has a 2 week pre-op regardless, but maybe I needed it for other reasons. Maybe someone else has other medical issues that their doctors felt a longer/stricter pre-op was mandated.

We put our trust in our surgeon to take out a majority of our stomach. It made sense to me to trust and follow her instructions going into it and after.

Everyone makes their choices, good or bad. Draw strength and encouragement from folks here. They/we have been through the same things, it is hard on everyone, but so worth it.

I go back and read posts that inspired and encouraged me all the time. I know I'm not the first to experience things in this process, so I always search the main page for words of wisdom from those that came before.

Good luck on your pre-ops!!

Edited October 24, 2013 by JerseyGirl68

[youthguy80 65]

It's hard. Very hard. Intellectually you know how important the pre op guidelines are. But obviously most of us who are getting the surgery struggle with eating. It's kind of a paradox. Do the best you can. Keep trying. Just get through each meal. Rest assured after surgery you still have to decide not to make choices, but you have your small stomach to remind you immediately why certain choices aren't wise. Also, you won't have hormones bombarding you. I did stray from the pre op guidelines a couple times. But even when I did it wasn't a no holds barred binge. I'm not condoning it, simply stating that it's hard. If you do slip, don't beat yourself. Just keep going! Saying a special prayer for you this morning.

[Skinny in Here 83]

For me it was kind of like marriage. I told my self if I couldn't go a few weeks without cheating, I surely was not ready to make a lifetime commitment.

[ElginChris 87]

Dont regret not eating your favorite foods. You will be able to eat them again, that is if you want to.

I think you will find that your tastes will change after your surgery. Sweets will be too sweet, fried foods too greasy. This is your chance to break a cycle of bad eating, rediscover food in a healthy way. In a few months, you wont even know why you missed some if the foods you crave now!!

[Carlotta 57]

Change your mindset on fried foods, if u r going to have this procedure and thinking that u can have your fried foods again is counter productive, u need to change your lifestyle..focus on what is nutritious for your body otherwise you will sabotage your health journey.. I am not saying you will never eat a fried food again.. But changing your eating habits would be required to maintain your weight loss for the long run.

[acubi2 33]

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. I am very thankful for this support system, you guys are wonderful. Its a new day and I am feeling much better. I did not cheat yesterday, I just needed some friends to get me through. This time next week I will be in surgery. There won't be any food funerals here, I just needed to refocus and take a deep breath and know that I am doing this for a reason. I have read that the pre op diet is the hardest part, so that makes me feel better too.

[mattsbelly 76]

I got a letter in the mail from my doctor saying to start in x date. X date happened to be the next day. At that point I wanted the surgery so bad I didn't care. I did eat a meal after about 7 days but I still had 7 days to go. Only the first few are tough. Once you get used to not eating, which takes a few days, it's no big deal. After the surgery it's even easier not to eat.