Pre-Op Diet

[Momto5 0]

I start my pre-op diet on Tuesday. I know lots of you are starting soon, too. I am a little nervous about it. i have been trying to 'ease into it' the past several days, and it's been really hard!! How are the rest of you feeling about the diet??

[moonandstarzz 0]

Im not gonna have to do one unless i dont lose the 5 lbs i gained and so far i lost 4 of them. i may have to do 24 hrs before surgery do liquids but not a 2 wk unless dr changes his mind.

[lellow 1,713]

Tonni,

my Dr didn't initially expect me to do a pre-op diet but I called his surgery to make sure I didn't need one, and his nurse checked with him again, then told me it wouldn't hurt to replace 2 of my 3 daily meals with Optifast.

I was due to start the diet this past Saturday but I started 5 days early, also to ease myself into it. And those first few dys were hard, definitely, because I constantly felt hungry. But it got easier as the days passed. I also got smarter about it, eg another bander said she bought Optifast Soups instead of shakes and added 1/2 cup of veg to it for dinner, and I now do the same, and it stops me feeling hungry right up to bed time! And the upside of it all? I've lost almost 4 kgs already (about 8 lbs) and I'm still 11 days away from my surgery.

I still have lunches so have been using that meal to have a farewell tour of my favourite foods, but am still losing nonetheless. I see my surgeon in 2 days and I do wonder if he'll say I won't need to diet anymore, but I think for my own sake I'll stay on it.

Because if all goes well, this time, the weight I'm losing is never going to come back! :ohmy:

[Lanakila 1]

So far my doc hasn't prescribed a pre-op diet, but I see him 6 days before sx and I expect him to put me on a 3 shake-1 meal until the sx. I actually hope to be able to pony up enough willpower to start that about two weeks before the sx for 2 reasons: 1) because I'm terrified that he'll get in there and not have room to move around and will need to go "open", and 2) I feel like I need to start retraining my mind "before" I am physically restricted and in pain. It's already hard enough to make the changes, let alone trying to make the change and be in pain at the same time.

[liquidbluegal 0]

I am starting my pre-op this weekend! Any recommendations from anyone? I have to replace 2 out of my 3 meals! I am super excited and super nervous.

[Andrea20405 0]

My surgery is on 8/1. I have my pre-op appt with the surgeon on 7/29. I was told to begin my liquid diet on 7/25. But the last 2 weeks I have been pigging out on all my favorite foods and I have gained about 10 since my last appt. I am worried I will go to my pre-op appt and they will be pissed at my weight gain and postpone my operation. I am scared. I began a low-carb diet today since that has been my diet of choice in the past that allowed me to lose the weight the fastest. I don't want to be postponed. I can't believe I gained 10 lbs. since my last appt. Feeling very disappointed with myself for that behavior.

Did anyone else pig out or am I the only one?

[Sask Patient 0]

Oh my gosh Andrea - you are SO NOT ALONE! (I say as I sit here crunching away on Doritos/Tostitos at my desk!!) I am doing a farewell tour (luv that analogy!) of all of my favourite foods as I lead up to my pre-op diet too (I am for surgery on the 20th and LSD diet on the 11th). Because I'm in Canada and my surgeon is in Tijuana I haven't had any one on one contact with him yet, but the Facilitator (who is an RN) said I'm not required to do it at all because my BMI is just over 40, so I definitely should not go any longer that 2 weeks under any circumstances. Apparently, the higher Protein content can be tough on the kidneys so she suggests lots of Water intake during that time. I've decided to go with 10 days just to be safe. I completely want to do it too, just to make sure my liver doesn't get in the way... AND I know that even though I won't love it, it's bearable for that short of a time...

BUT, back to your question about eating everything in sight right now - yah - pretty much. I seem to ALWAYS do this when I feel "the end is near" which really isn't bright, but it's almost like a last hurrah. This morning I felt pretty crummy from eating rich foods all weekend so now today I've just gotten into the trailmix and now the Doritos/Tostitos for some salt. Trying not to let myself beat me up too badly remembering that once the LSD begins that is it... and I will hold myself to it - I don't break promises to best friends so not gonna break this promise either.

NO WORRIES GIRL... WE WILL BE GREAT!!!

Stace :biggrin2:

[vegasgirl44 0]

Ok, if you get offended by that time of the month talk, I apologize, and please read no further. HOWEVER, if you are intrigued, please continue.

I am on day 9 of my preop diet of Protein Shakes. I am supposed to stay under 1200 calories per day and have actually been hovering around 600-700 per day. Saturday night I ate a package of turkey bacon. Sunday morning, I gained 1 lb and today, I woke up and gained another half lb. I simply cannot tell you how discouraging this is. I'm supposed to get my period next Monday (I think this diet has thrown me off schedule) but I'm already bloated and cramping. Maybe I'm starting sooner, but I'm still pissed off that my scale is not going in the right direction. I have not had anything except that damn bacon, and I still came in under 1200 calories that day.

I think I just need encouragement and a similar story...yeah, that would help. My scale is going to go down a lot after my period comes, right? I'm 47 years old. I should know this by now, but I need a hug. Or just some cheese with the wine. :eek:

[Andrea20405 0]

Vegas... perhaps you are not eating enough and your body went into starvation mode and is hoarding all your calories? Add 1 more shake a day, see if that helps. Also, your period is a big contributor. Mine should be starting any day now too, and I am hoping this weight gain is partly due to that, but I'm not counting on it. Also, are you exercising at all? that might help some too. These are just guesses from a lifetime of dieting. Fingers crossed for you to see that scale move the other direction soon.

[vegasgirl44 0]

Andrea,

thanks for the reply. No, I'm not exercising. Girl! One thing at a time, ok? LOL! I gave up Starbucks Frappacinos and bread, and that is hard enough. I have been moving more and I do plan to incorporate exercise soon, but I feel so bloated and yucky now. I think I am going to add a chicken breast or something each day. I think I need food. And I just need to stay off the scale till next week, but it's soooo hard, especially when I know that I'm on my best behavior. Thanks for your advice and concern.

[btimberlake 0]

I'm due to be banded August 11, 08 yeah, so excited but scared but I know it'll be worth it. I start by pre-op diet July 28, 08 I'm going to try to start tomorrow 7-22-08 for a head start my worst fear is not being able to have a diet dr. pepper, but I have to sacrifice if I wanna do whats right., Any suggestions fm anyone who is addicted to caffeine? My diet consist of myocel shake for breakfat, healthy lunch (fish, chicken, turkey etc. w/ gren veggies, then another shake, then a healthy dinner then i'm allowed a cup of fruit if hungry after dinner.

[ShrinkyDink 0]

Howdy

My surgery date is August 15 but I'm on a list to be fit in sooner if there's a cancellation, fingers crossed!

They told me to go on a no carb diet for 2 weeks prior but I've started today just in case they do fit me in, and even if they don't I figure it will be that much better if I'm on the diet longer. I'm planning on having...

Breakfast: one Atkins or High Protein Slim Fast bar

Lunch: Another bar if I'm not too hungry, or some turkey lunch meat and string cheese if the bar doesn't do it

Dinner: Whatever my family is eating minus the bread or Pasta, lean meat and green veggies mostly.

Planning to do some Protein shakes for the last couple days even if they don't tell me to, just to give myself a head start.

I keep looking at this thinking gosh, if I can do this why do I need the band? Then I remember that I have easily done this... many times... for about a month... then I plateau and get discouraged and eat everything in sight and gain it back...

I'm really looking forward to having the extra help from the band to keep me on track, can't wait to look and feel like myself again minus the monster I've been carrying around!

I did a farewell tour also over the last week, some of my favorite things and restaurants but I'm actually not in too much of a panic about giving things up since I know I'll still be able to eat most of it, just in much smaller portions. I kept myself from going nuts with it by sticking with the slim fast bars or lean cuisine meals for 2 meals a day, then having my "farewell to enchiladas" dinner and going right back to the slim fast the next day.

I'm also on a mission at the moment to find a Protein Drink I can stomach for the post op clear liquid time. I tried the little 3 ounce Protein Shots from Walmart and omg they are horrible! Sickening sweet and so thick, even mixed into a huge glas of Crystal Light it was awful. I was hoping they would be ok so I could get in that big dose of Protein in a small amount of liquid and not have to worry so much about making sure I got enough in. Guess it's back to the search.

[kristenmh 68]

I'm supposed to start my pre-op diet on 7/31 but, like many of you, have begun trying to ease my way into it.

The team at NYU wants me to consume no more than 1000 calories per day and 50 grams of Protein, minimum. Their suggestions were 4-5 Protein shakes a day and/or low-sodium broth. I can have up to two cups of non-starchy veggies as well.

I'm planning on shakes for Breakfast, a salad for lunch and broth for dinner. Snacks will be additional shakes.

Good news is: I can make my own I bought the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury powder (vanilla, flavorless and chicken soup) and will blend them up with non-fat plain yogurt and frozen, no sugar added fruits.

[lellow 1,713]

Facilitator (who is an RN) said I'm not required to do it at all because my BMI is just over 40

That's interesting, because my BMI was 37 when I started, and I've now lost exactly 4 kgs so my BMI is just under 36 now and I've still got 10 days to surgery. I'm seeing my Dr tomorrow and will let you all know if he thinks I need to stop the pre-op diet.

[LolaBean 0]

Surprised to see that so many of you have very minimial if any pre-op diet. I met with the nurse today and she said 2 week pre-op diet of 800-900 calories. YAY! I was expecting it to be a 2 week liquid diet for some reason, so I guess there's an upside to things :biggrin: Surgery is August 7th... can't wait! Best wishes to everyone--glad to have such a good group of people!