Severe Headache after starting pre-op diet

[SleeveinIL 386]

I am curious if anyone else has experienced severe headaches when they started the pre-op liquid diet? I cut back my caffeine to almost nothing before I started. I am having between 700 - 900 calories a day on Bariatric Advantage. Thanks in advance.

[FluffyChix 17,415]

So look, if you were a carb monster, then get ready for a wild ride--but it's better you have this now. It happens when you are converting from being a carb burner to being a fat burner. The pre-op liquid diet puts you into ketosis over about 4 days. It's not uncommon to have a beastly headache. Some low carb docs say to drink plenty of Water, have 1-2 cups of chicken bouillon for the sodium, and have a teaspoon of MOM for the magnesium you lose from peeing things out.

It's just something you have to go through like a right of passage. ((hugs))

[Xombina 3]

I did. It lasted a few days to a week. Then I was good.

[ojibway 203]

It's normal! drink lots of water! It will get easier in a day or two.

[SleeveinIL 386]

30 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

So look, if you were a carb monster, then get ready for a wild ride--but it's better you have this now. It happens when you are converting from being a carb burner to being a fat burner. The pre-op liquid diet puts you into ketosis over about 4 days. It's not uncommon to have a beastly Headache. Some low carb docs say to drink plenty of Water, have 1-2 cups of chicken bouillon for the sodium, and have a teaspoon of MOM for the magnesium you lose from peeing things out.

It's just something you have to go through like a right of passage. ((hugs))

The good thing is I was on 100g or carbs or less diet for 3 months prior to this diet. I am not the best person at drinking Water, so I will start pushing liquids! I already take a 500mg magnesium supplement. I wonder if I should also do MOM. hmmmm

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Probably not. 1 tsp of MOM = 425mg of magnesium (from memory). And if you're already on 100g or less for the last 3 months, it shouldn't be a long trip for you. I'd just keep on keepin on, do your bouillon, and drink your water! Most of the Keto flu symptoms are really symptoms of dehydration per the keto docs.

[S@ssen@ch 745]

Thanks Fluffy! I'm on 4th day of preop liquid diet and feel like crap. Headache, just the start. I feel like I should have known but even my brain seems foggy.

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[clsumrall 535]

I have also found out that the Sucralose sometimes causes headaches. So I’ve switched over to Protein Shakes that use Stevia instead. Helped a lot.