Breaking down

[Joann454 1,329]

My daughter is now 4 days away from surgery. She was only required to lose 5lbs and has not been informed to begin any special diets. I also read that a liquid diet prior to surgery is advisable to maintain a healthy functioning liver to minimize complications during surgery. This info freaks me out especially when I find out through postings rather than the doctor. It maybe that it isn't necessary for her either case I'll have her contact the doctor and ask about it.

Not everyone is required to go on the preop diet. She may not have a fatty liver due to her age? Idk. Wishing her the best!

[Melissa315 54]

Not everyone is required to go on the preop diet. She may not have a fatty liver due to her age? Idk. Wishing her the best!

I only had to do a 7 day liquid diet whereas my friend had to do a 14 day liquid diet. I also had a friend that only had to do 2 days on liquids only. All doctors have different requirements based on the individual patient. If your concerned for your daughter have her contact her doctor and ask if she needs to make any diet adjustments prior to surgery.

[kasemcd 34]

My daughter is now 4 days away from surgery. She was only required to lose 5lbs and has not been informed to begin any special diets. I also read that a liquid diet prior to surgery is advisable to maintain a healthy functioning liver to minimize complications during surgery. This info freaks me out especially when I find out through postings rather than the doctor. It maybe that it isn't necessary for her either case I'll have her contact the doctor and ask about it.

So far from going through a lot of forums on here, not many people have the same pre-op requirements. Yes, the liquid diet prior to surgery is to ensure that the liver does shrink for a lesser chance of complications. However, there's no need to worry if your daughters surgeon hasn't given her one. You can always call and ask, I'm sure. Good luck to your daughter on her surgery, mine is in 10 days.

[VSG_Man_Vs_Food 55]

I think the pre-op diet is somewhat dependent on bmi and risk levels, I think that's why it varies so much.


HW: 330 lb
SW: TBD 6/27/2017
CW: 302 lb
GW: 180 lb
VSG, Dr. Jawad, Orlando, FL

[queendeborahbee 119]

Wow, 20 years old and smart enough to get healthy for the rest of your life. Your parents must be so proud of you! The liquid diet is difficult but not impossible, when you feel like cheating, just get out of the kitchen, take a walk, call a girl friend. We all have to find new activities that don't involve eating. After surgery you will still have brain hunger but for me, it has gotten easier! As the weight drops off and clothes fall off your interest in food evaporates. I now eat to live and not live to eat. My brain has changed. Best of luck, you have so got this!!
HW 362
SW 310. 4/17/17
CW 276

[chamilton0323 50]

I started my pre-op diet Friday too. Friday wasn't so bad but Saturday was HORRIBLE!!! I had a pounding head ache all day and since I was out of town visiting family it was even harder to be around all the foods I love but could n't eat. My surgeon said I could chew sugar free gum which has helped tremendously with the satisfaction to chew. Good luck and know your not alone!

[kasemcd 34]

Wow, 20 years old and smart enough to get healthy for the rest of your life. Your parents must be so proud of you! The liquid diet is difficult but not impossible, when you feel like cheating, just get out of the kitchen, take a walk, call a girl friend. We all have to find new activities that don't involve eating. After surgery you will still have brain hunger but for me, it has gotten easier! As the weight drops off and clothes fall off your interest in food evaporates. I now eat to live and not live to eat. My brain has changed. Best of luck, you have so got this!!
HW 362
SW 310. 4/17/17
CW 276

That means a lot to me, my parents are my biggest supporters for this. They made this possible for me. After the 5th day, things have gotten a lot easier. It seems as if my body is used to the 800 cal. per day.. I'm not complaining lol. Thank you[emoji173]️

[chamilton0323 50]

Another thing that helps me is chewing gum! My surgeon said I can chew sugar free which helps with the desire to chew.

[Melissa315 54]

Another thing that helps me is chewing gum! My surgeon said I can chew sugar free which helps with the desire to chew.

I chewed gum for the first time this weekend, 3 months post op, and I'm assuming it was the mint but it made me burp a lot! Although it was a great option while out to dinner with some family at a place where I can not eat! (They didn't even offer a side salad option, we were unaware when we agreed to go!)

[TooneyNinosMom 50]

Hello! You and I have the same surgery date, June 27th. I am on one week of pre-surgery diet and I would have to say it's got easier now. I am no longer hungry, just tired and I feel weak. I am doing three Premier Protein shakes a day, broth (yuck) and 1 greek yogurt.

The one day I was really hungry last week I fell asleep and dreamed that I was in a buffet line on a cruise ship (taking a cruise in November). I could actually smell the bacon, or so I thought. I cried when I woke up. Then I had my shake and I was fine.

We can do it! I hear that this is the hardest part so hang in there.

So I suffer from chronic Migraines and was told that I could take 4 Tylenol at a time for one of them. I did do that when I had my hunger headache last week and that helped and it never came back. Ask your Dr. if this is something you can do. You don't want to do it everyday.

[TooneyNinosMom 50]

I just thought of something else, I was having issues wanting to chew so my husband went and bought a bag of sonic ice cubes. This really helped! Just a suggestion.

[kasemcd 34]

Hello! You and I have the same surgery date, June 27th. I am on one week of pre-surgery diet and I would have to say it's got easier now. I am no longer hungry, just tired and I feel weak. I am doing three Premier Protein shakes a day, broth (yuck) and 1 greek yogurt.
The one day I was really hungry last week I fell asleep and dreamed that I was in a buffet line on a cruise ship (taking a cruise in November). I could actually smell the bacon, or so I thought. I cried when I woke up. Then I had my shake and I was fine.
We can do it! I hear that this is the hardest part so hang in there.
So I suffer from chronic Migraines and was told that I could take 4 Tylenol at a time for one of them. I did do that when I had my hunger headache last week and that helped and it never came back. Ask your Dr. if this is something you can do. You don't want to do it everyday.

I also have chronic migraines but I'm at the point where my surgeon no longer wants me to take any medications like Tylenol.
Good luck to you - we only have 7 days left!! Starting to get nervous, yet excited!

[kasemcd 34]

I just thought of something else, I was having issues wanting to chew so my husband went and bought a bag of sonic ice cubes. This really helped! Just a suggestion.

I'm an "ice eater" normally! I always end up chewing on ice and it does help! After day 5, I had no desire to chew anymore and when I felt hungry, 1 Optifast drink fixes that instantly.

[kasemcd 34]

I started my pre-op diet Friday too. Friday wasn't so bad but Saturday was HORRIBLE!!! I had a pounding head ache all day and since I was out of town visiting family it was even harder to be around all the foods I love but could n't eat. My surgeon said I could chew sugar free gum which has helped tremendously with the satisfaction to chew. Good luck and know your not alone!

The first few days were hell for me [emoji20] I felt like I was becoming more and more weak and tired as time went on. And then, day 5 hit, and it was like I'm a new person. Weird as it may sound, that was the first day I haven't experienced any tiredness during the day, weakness, or even a headache. My emotions are still random at times, but I know that'll go away eventually.

My surgeon would not allow gum of any kind, but it kind of worked out because I'd always feel sick, somewhat nauseous, when I chew gum. But if that helps you, that's awesome! Ice chips help too and will help with getting in fluids if you haven't tried that.

I struggled yesterday seeing my friends when they ordered out to a Chinese restaurant I used to love, but I managed to stick to my diet. We can do this!! Good luck to you! [emoji4]

[TooneyNinosMom 50]

18 minutes ago, kasemcd said:

I also have chronic Migraines but I'm at the point where my surgeon no longer wants me to take any medications like Tylenol.
Good luck to you - we only have 7 days left!! Starting to get nervous, yet excited!

I feel exactly like you, nervous but excited. I had my pre-op appointment last week, signed off on the surgery and got my blood drawn. Good luck to you. Let me know how it goes for you and I'll do the same with you!