My preop diet experience/lessons learned

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

I have been on my preop diet for 9 days. My doctor uses Bariatric Advantage (BA). I have to drink 3 shakes and eat 2 BA bars. I can have 1 banana and 3 servings of sugar free Popsicles and 3 sugar free Jello. I can also have no sugar beverages. I drink tons of Water.< /p>

My pluses:

1)I know longer need/want coffee. I now drink Decaf hot tea and unsweetened ice tea along with water with lemon. I am not craving bread, Cookies, donuts or cake. I loved my lightly sweetened ice tea prior to this process.

2) I survived two social functions that included pizza, burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, dips, chips, ice cream cake and cheese cake.

3) I am 7lbs down.

Minuses:

1) I have only gotten 3 shakes a day down only twice

2) I do not like, repeat do not like BA. I chose Banana, chocolate, and Orange Cream. The only one I can tolerate without gagging is Chocolate. The bars are okay.

3) I chose to eat a piece of low fat mozzarella cheese stick. I confessed to my Nutritionist.

4) I am terribly constipated.

What I have learned in nine days:

I feel so much better (besides constipation). I have more energy. I am living, surviving. My body is getting what I need. food is such a social part of my life, but I can survive the party without eating. I do not like eating or drinking artificial sweeteners. Plain water with Lemon will do just fine. I AM ADDICTED TO CHEESE!

By being honest with my Nutritionist today I felt in control. She told me I could have broth with no starchy vegetables or a hard boiled egg. I honestly felt like I won top prize.

I am all set to go for surgery on 10/21 at 1:00 PM.

I urge those that are on preop or will be on preop to think about what you are feeling. Write it down. Talk about it. Process it. My husband and I normally go out to eat for date night but we have found other things to do. Occupy yourself. I started shopping for my surgery needs. Read other peoples preop experiences. That has helped me tremendously. Last but not least, realize this phase is temporary. Each phase will come with its challenges. Focus on today, as it prepares you for tomorrow.

[Katester 0]

Great advice! Thanks for sharing.

[Dub 9,922]

Well said, @SleevenChicha

You are well on the way towards a successful outcome. You are addressing things head on and in a logical way.

[miiasan 370]

Great post! I, too, am on the pre-op diet. I am only allowed to do liquids, so it is hard but not difficult. The first two days were really rough but it got better on the third day. My problem is getting enough calories in; my body can only stand having so much liquid sloshing around lol.

i use Premier Protein shakes, so I only need to drink a minimum of 2 shakes a day which is good. I have trouble drinking more. I prefer the shakes at room temperature because they don't taste so sweet that way.

I hate artificial sweeteners; they taste sickly sweet to me. Although I don't mind Water and drink lots of it, I was trying for variety. I found out at my pre-op class that I could mix unsweetened Apple or Cranapple juice with equal parts of Water and drink it. I now do that once a day. That has been a wonderful diversion.

I am a diabetic and finding it hard to exercise fully without my blood sugar going low. Before I started the pre-op diet I was exercising around 2 hours a day. Now after an hour I have low blood sugar. The only time I have 'cheated' was a couple of days ago when after exercising at the gym my sugar was 58. I had forgotten to bring something with me (bad on my part, I know) so had to eat a couple of Peanut Butter crackers just so I could drive home. Learned a lesson there...Since then my endocrinologist has taken me off Victoza and cut my Lantus dosage in half. No more low blood sugars

My surgery is the 19th of this month, so only 3 days to go. I have been on this liquid diet for 6 days and have lost 6 pounds. I feel great and looking forward to turning this page to the next.

[cassie32104 70]

Thanks for sharing! I start my preop diet on your surgery date- good luck to you. I have to use BA shakes also....gag!!

[ImBringingLisaBack RNY 70]

Thanks for sharing! I love it when others take the time to tell of their experiences it helps the rest of us SO much!

I start my pre-op diet on the 26th...I have looked forward to a million things...THIS is not one of them LOL

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

@miassan I know it is difficult to navigate around diabetes, but I am sure in no time after surgery you will test will great numbers. My cousin was taking insulin and is totally of all diabetes medication now. I wish you the best in your surgery!

[RNYDawn 160]

Oh man I am not looking forward to the BA stuff when my time comes! It sounds like chocolate is the way to go! Are you allowed to blend with ice? I hope so...

Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us! I am sooooo excited for you and know you will do so awesome!

[The Candidate 3,215]

Good for you! That's definitely the proper mind frame.

[ski66 44]

Thanks

[miiasan 370]

@ thanks. Getting off all my medications is one of the main reasons I am doing this! Surgery tomorrow - I'm ready!

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

@ thanks. Getting off all my medications is one of the main reasons I am doing this! Surgery tomorrow - I'm ready!

Good luck tomorrow! Wishing you a speedy recovery.