Pre-Op Diet Jitters

[Thickness33 3]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this & normally wouldn't put myself out there like this but with this new phase of my life I'm about to enter I figured what the hell! I'm having surgery on 5/12 & on Thursday I'll be starting my pre-op diet.

I have no clue what to expect (side effects wise) & from reading some of the posts I'm now officially nervous & afriad I might not be as successful in this pre-op phase as I thought I would be .

[2goldengirl 2,076]

Welcome!

The preop diet phase is as much a mind game as it is a physical preparation for surgery. For (perhaps) the first time, you're given very firm restrictions on what you may or may not eat and drink - and there are potentially serious consequences for not adhering to the instructions. It's a boundary a lot of us have trouble with.

That said, here are some real truths about it. First, the first three days are the hardest. After that, a lot of us find that hunger really diminshes, which helps. But the "head hunger" you've no doubt read about can really play with you here. It's a good time to have some internal conversations about the way your head can really try to trip you up in your journey. Any internal work you can do during this phase to understand the reasons your head may be clamoring for some specific food though you've just filled your stomach with a Protein shake or whatever, it time well spent.

Third, getting nervous, panicky, jittery, whatever term you want to use as you march closer to your new life is entirely normal. It doesn't happen to all of us (it didn't to me), but If you start second guessing yourself or focusing on the negatives during this time - remind yourself: it's part of the process. Breathe. It will be OK!

Good luck, and check in here as often as you need to. There is a lot of support for you here!

[Megall9 268]

I'm right there with you. My sleeve date is May 9th, and I start my liquid diet tomorrow. My surgeon required a trial liquid diet before my first visit with him, so I know that I can do it. I did it once, I can do it again. But this time I am having jitters because this time it is for real. Surgery is at the end of this two week liquid diet, and today I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that tonight is my last real full meal for the next two and a half months.

But, we can do this. One day at a time, and the start of a better life is waiting for us just around the corner. On my trial liquid diet I wasn't really hungry, but I wasn't completely satisfied either. The first 3-4 days were the hardest, and I learned quickly to evenly space the liquid Proteins out through the day, otherwise I'd end up feeling light headed and ill if I went too long without. Good luck, you can do this!