The pre-op diet

[truck8595 64]

Hi all!

I'm Pat, am new here, and I too am going through the process of becoming a sleever! I had my first appointment with the surgeon a week ago today, and all my stuff's been sent to insurance for approval. Hoping I will have said approval in another week or so tops, and surgery another couple weeks after, putting my potential surgery date at the beginning/middle of February.

I weighed in at 377 and have a pretty big midsection (being 5'9", I am sure you can imagine...), so the doctor actually put me on an immediate 1,200 calorie per day restriction which began last Friday, with 3 protien shakes and 2 small meals (protiens and greens) per day. I've adjusted really well despite a very mentally rough 2nd and 3rd day and have actually dropped 22 pounds in this time. It's gotten easier, and on day 7 I can say it feels like my brain is starting to adjust to what my body had already settled into.

It's a real encouraging ego boost to be sure, but my question is: has anyone else had to do something similar before they even got their surgery date? I read many stories of people doing the 2-week liquid diet once they get their approval and surgery date, but wondered if anyone else has a story similar to mine and how they fared/dealt with things?

I look forward to connecting with you all and wish you all the best in your respective journeys, wherever you might be!

Cheers,
~Pat

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

Hi Pat and welcome!

On my own, I started Weight watchers a few months before I went to the surgeon. It got me in the right frame of mind. You are doing great, and I'm sure you'll get responses of folks with similar pre-op instructions. Everyone is different, your doc just wants you in the best possible shape for your surgery, especially if you're fast tracked.

Best of luck to you!

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

Hi all!

I'm Pat, am new here, and I too am going through the process of becoming a sleever! I had my first appointment with the surgeon a week ago today, and all my stuff's been sent to insurance for approval. Hoping I will have said approval in another week or so tops, and surgery another couple weeks after, putting my potential surgery date at the beginning/middle of February.

I weighed in at 377 and have a pretty big midsection (being 5'9", I am sure you can imagine...), so the doctor actually put me on an immediate 1,200 calorie per day restriction which began last Friday, with 3 protien shakes and 2 small meals (protiens and greens) per day. I've adjusted really well despite a very mentally rough 2nd and 3rd day and have actually dropped 22 pounds in this time. It's gotten easier, and on day 7 I can say it feels like my brain is starting to adjust to what my body had already settled into.

It's a real encouraging ego boost to be sure, but my question is: has anyone else had to do something similar before they even got their surgery date? I read many stories of people doing the 2-week liquid diet once they get their approval and surgery date, but wondered if anyone else has a story similar to mine and how they fared/dealt with things?

I look forward to connecting with you all and wish you all the best in your respective journeys, wherever you might be!

Cheers,

~Pat

Pat,

I started my pre-op diet--2 shakes and one meal as soon as I got my surgery date. So I was actually on it longer than the normal 2 weeks for my surgeon, (about 4 weeks). The actual 2 weeks of the pre-op I stuck to EXACTLY what I was supposed to eat. I lost 10.5 pounds that way--for a female--not bad at all.

The surgeon wants you to drop weight to shrink the liver. The bigger the liver, the harder it is for the surgeon to complete the surgery. They inflate the abdominal cavity with CO2 to be able to move the instruments around and the smaller the liver the easier it is for the surgeon to move the instruments around and complete the surgery.

Wishing you sucess in your pre-op diet and a successful surgery and easy recovery.

[Bronco0605 135]

In the center I go to, some people do a four week pre op diet, and some do a two week.The diet length is determined by the surgeon. Our pre op diets consist of 4 new directions Protein Shakes or bars. No other food at all. Only non caloric, non caffeinated, non carbonated, beverages are allowed. It is basically 800 calories a day.

[truck8595 64]

Thanks for your feedback, all!

I wonder if once I get my approval and surgery date set, they'll move me to an all-liquid diet? Guessing at least a few days before the big day, it would be anyway, just to "clear the roadway", so to speak...

Either way, I'm beyond pumped up for this. Can't wait to reinvent myself!

[BryBro63 410]

Hello Pat!! Welcome!!!

When I started the process, my nutritionist first taught me how to eat all over again...very interesting...then she put me on 1 Protein shake a day. I actually started losing! Now that I got my surgery date (January 27th), she then put me on the 'Liver-shrinking diet', which is 2 shakes a day, and a very small meal. Taking some getting used to, but I can't complain...at least it's not all liquids! She says that by the time I have the surgery, I'll be so used to the liquids and small meals that the adjustment will be a piece of cake!! (Pardon the pun!!)

Wish you much success!!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Hello Truck! My husband and I were sleeved. Good luck. There are so many people here who have different meal plans. Just go with your surgeon's advice and you will also find so much help here as you go through it. This has been incredible. We are 1 1/2 months and 2 months post op. Best of luck to you!!!!!

[SuperFab 689]

I guess I'm more like you, Pat. I was given a diet at my first nutrition appointment. Was told to have a shake for Breakfast and for lunch and dinner I'm to have a lean n green meal of Protein n veggies. That was in September. I've only lost 16 pounds total because I've been having too many food funerals. They said as long as I don't GAIN I'm ok. My two week pre-op diet starts feb 4 the and will be the exact same except I am to have a half shake added to my lean n green meals for 11 days and 3 days of liquids on days 12, 13 and 14. April

Edited January 16, 2014 by superfatty

[DCborn 63]

Y'all r so lucky I was on a liquid diet for 2weeks and it was nothing but Protein Shakes, chicken&beef broth sugar free Popsicles and sugar free Jello and Water. It was hard the 1st 3or 4 days but I lost 33lbs in 2weeks my surgery was on January 6 I am 10 days out down so far all together 45lbs and I feel great you guys will do just great, stay positive

[SuperFab 689]

Y'all r so lucky I was on a liquid diet for 2weeks and it was nothing but Protein Shakes, chicken&beef broth sugar free Popsicles and sugar free Jello and Water. It was hard the 1st 3or 4 days but I lost 33lbs in 2weeks my surgery was on January 6 I am 10 days out down so far all together 45lbs and I feel great you guys will do just great, stay positive

Dayum!!! That's awesome. I mean, the pre-op must've sucked butt but that weightloss is phenomenal.

[SnohoGal98296 371]

May I ask if any of your Doctors prescribed phentermine or similiar to help you with hunger on your preop diets?

Edited January 17, 2014 by SnohoGal98296

[SuperFab 689]

May I ask if any of your Doctors prescribed phentermine or similiar to help you with hunger on your preop diets?

mine wouldn't Bc it raises your heart rate in many patients.

[DCborn 63]

My Dr would never prescribe that bcuz after a couple of days you shouldn't be hungry and remember it is mind over matter,

[truck8595 64]

May I ask if any of your Doctors prescribed phentermine or similiar to help you with hunger on your preop diets?

Nope-- this is just straight willpower. It's somehow easier to do when the surgeon says "DO THIS." And getting a little taste of some early success is certainly helping me to keep my eyes on the prize!

That said, I have had phentermine before... maybe 2 years ago? It did work wonders alongside eating better and hitting the gym. After 6 months, my PCP wouldn't refill them, and that was fine, because I'd sort of developed a tolerance to them anyway and they weren't working like they used to.

[truck8595 64]

Y'all r so lucky I was on a liquid diet for 2weeks and it was nothing but Protein shakes, chicken&beef broth sugar free Popsicles and sugar free Jello and Water. It was hard the 1st 3or 4 days but I lost 33lbs in 2weeks my surgery was on January 6 I am 10 days out down so far all together 45lbs and I feel great you guys will do just great, stay positive

DC-- nice, man! Way to crush it! Hope all continues to go well for ya!