Pre-op diet making me sick...is that normal?

vixie · July 3, 2007

Hi Folks,

Day 11 of my mostly liquid diet and I've lost 16 pounds, but Im feeling sick now and then. Its weird but I feel like Im car sick - a little nauseous a little numb. Sometimes I get stomach cramps too. Is this normal? I've never really dont this kind of diet before, so Im not sure. I dont really get hungry any more. I havent gotten head aches or anything like that. Just a terrible motion sickness once in a while and a little heart burn.

thanks,

V.

bsimoes · July 3, 2007

Wow, I don't remember anything like that, just that I was always hungry. Perhaps try a little Protein drink; you're probably not getting enough, and that may be affecting you in strange ways. Hang in there.

PamJ4 · July 3, 2007

My doc allowed 3 dairy servings a day that helped the liquid diet feel more normal, but check with your doc. The whole point of the liquid diet is to shrink the stores of glucagon in the liver, making the surgery safer and easier. But when you're having mostly liquids that pass right through, sometimes the churning stomach acid plus hunger pains makes you feel that weird nauseous feeling. Gaviscon is the one of the best antacids on the market for calming an upset stomach fast. Your body might also be adjusting to the change in what you eat, too. Good luck and hang in there.

joanielll · July 3, 2007

My doc said if you don't stay hydrated you can get dizzy and queezy feeling.

vixie · July 3, 2007

Thanks all, sent the doc an email today to see what she says. You know it might be lack of Water, i didnt get much water yesterday...never been a big drinker.

shellqueen · July 3, 2007

You could also ask the doctor if it is ok to take something for motionsickness or nausea. Non drowsy dramamine can be good or if it is ok to have flat ginger ale. Ginger helps with nausea. I have heard of some people getting the patch that goes behind the ear like people get on cruises. Hope this helps and good luck!!!!!

xanthe_sux · July 4, 2007

Hey Vixie.

I am in on week 4 of Optifast. I go through bouts of nausea and sickness on this diet - but it they are far less intense than during my first week. My doc prescribed me some Somac to help settle my stomach (not sure what it's called in the US) but it has really helped. I also have some eggwhites made up into an omelette every second day because the Protein fills me up and makes me feel less bloated :cool:

Good luck with it all!

Steve

insubordination · July 4, 2007

It's true that some people do not do well on it. I didn't despite being utterly faithful for the first 14 days. It got to the point where I would feel faint and dizzy and couldn't think clearly and carry out my work duties. I agree, contact your dietician/doctor and tell them what you are feeling. They may have some suggestions.

Karen2539 · July 4, 2007

wow Vixie, I know exactly what you are going through. I am on day 10 of my Opti fast diet. Yesterday was the worst for energy, I had none! I get sick to my stomach all most every night. I just keep telling myself 5 more days of this and I can do it. good luck

sharon2u · July 4, 2007

Hi I just seen my Doc. yesterday for the first time all seemed to go well, but he did tell me that he is now making his patients drink the Optifast before surgery. OK but where in the heck do you get this stuff from? I see the dieticitian tomorrow afternoon so maybe she will shed some light on this. I know that I was told everything pertaining to the surgery will be covered by my Insurance provider up to one year after surgery so I wonder if this might be included, can someone get back with me on this. Thanks

Sharon

sharrroc@aol.com

faithmd · July 4, 2007

Hi I just seen my Doc. yesterday for the first time all seemed to go well, but he did tell me that he is now making his patients drink the Optifast before surgery. OK but where in the heck do you get this stuff from? I see the dieticitian tomorrow afternoon so maybe she will shed some light on this. I know that I was told everything pertaining to the surgery will be covered by my Insurance provider up to one year after surgery so I wonder if this might be included, can someone get back with me on this. Thanks
Sharon

sharrroc@aol.com

Unfortunately you won't know for sure until you speak with your insurance company. My guess is that it will not be covered. Perhaps you can get it as a reimbursement, but I doubt it. My surgery was covered, but my food (MD prescribed diet) was not. I had to pay $249 for four weeks of a complete diet. I really didn't think $249 was to bad, but I was still annoyed that I wasn't told of that cost up front.

vixie · July 4, 2007

Im feeling much better now. I think I was getting sick due to lack of Water. I've never been a big drinker so Its been hard for me to get my 8 glasses a day. What does Opti fast taste like? I've heard a lot about it but I've never tried it. Sharon2u, you can write off any diet expenses on your taxes! They just pasted the law a few years ago. Im a self pay so thats going to be a nice big right off. Take that Uncle Sam!