liquids only -- pre-op diet

[OnMyWeighDown 0]

Is anyone else on a liquids only pre-op diet? I'm soo excited about my surgery on Friday the 13th and I'm self-pay so I'm determined to not cheat no matter how tempting! I am allowed protien shakes, Soup and broth, Jello, etc. but I'm not sure I'm going to make it through the week :confused: Does the liquid portion get better after being banded?

[Michele123 0]

Hi, I'm getting banded on the 13th also. I'm so excited. I really haven't told many people. Just don't want tohave to explain.

I'm on a liquid/soft diet. The yogurt helps. At least I feel like I'm eating something. It really hasn't been too bad.

What did they tell you about carbinated drinks? My dr. hasn't said anything yet but most posts I've seen say you can't have soda.

[OnMyWeighDown 0]

My doctor hasn't said anything about carbonated drinks and his nurses just said to limit them as much as possible pre- and post-op becuase it might cause irritation.

I haven't told too many people either...just family, really. I'm with you on not wanting to explain. All of my friends are thin and have never had weight issues. I'm not sure they will really understand why I'm taking such a drastic step. Once I start losing (which I hope is pretty soon after Friday!) then I may tell them about it but we'll see...

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I was on a liquid for Breakfast and lunch and 3 oz Protein for dinner diet for about 5 1/2 weeks (because I cheated the 1st time and didn't get my band) and post op just liquids for 2 weeks. Post op was way way harder for me. I came to in recovery HUNGRY and stayed that way until I got mushies. It was worth every second, but it was hard.

[OnMyWeighDown 0]

Being hungry from recovery on is a huge fear of mine! How did you handle it? Just mind over matter or was there something else that worked for you?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I just toughed it out. My husband did not eat in front of me, so we didn't have food smells at home and that helped. AND...since I cheated on my preop diet (that's why I had 2 surgeries!) I learned to do what my surgeon says. Hard lesson (not that I'm stubborn LOL) but that misery I felt when I came to in recovery without the band served me well post op. I'd just think how awful I'd feel if I ate something and caused my band to slip (because if you eat food your stomach moves and churns to aid in digestion....and that movement too soon can cause your band to dislodge etc) The thought of going back for more surgery because I HAD to eat was more dreadful than the hunger I felt. So I would just very firmly tell myself NO. Once I honestly sat and held a can of refried Beans and cried! Funny now but I was miserable at the time. I made it, though. I didn't eat them. And so far, so good! :confused:

So just hang in there. It isn't forever, and once you get past that you probably won't often be hungry ever again. I don't diet and lost 9 pounds over the last 4 weeks (no counting, no measuring, no nada...just "good choices") Hungry for 2 weeks is better than dieting forever!

[OnMyWeighDown 0]

Thank you! You're an inspiration for a newbie like me and I appreciate it! I can make it through a few weeks on liquids, I guess...I've had too many years of eating too much so a couple weeks without won't kill me!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You sure can do it! :confused:

Just be strong, and do what you need to make it through. For example, there is NO WAY I could've cooked and made it...well, no way I could've stayed sane and married that is! LOL Do what you need for yourself. It does pass quickly.

[thinkingslim 0]

Hi, I have just completed my six months of diet/logging and am excited to get to the point of a scheduled date. We are in this together

[Cate18 0]

I'm on day 7 of a 14 day clear liquid diet. I drink so much Protein throughout the day, there have only been two times that I've noticed I'm hungry. And both of those times a little broth and some more Protein fixed the problem. I think after your brain adjusts to "you cannot eat solid food" types of thoughts, you'll find it's not as hard as you think.

The only real problem I've had is that I haven't lost any weight. None. And I don't seem to be retaining fluids. I'm so frustrated. My doctor won't do the surgery if I'm more than 5 pounds heavier than my first appointment (over a year ago), and I am still 17 pounds heavier, so I need to lose at least 12 pounds. I'm doing everything I'm supposed to, and I'm still not losing weight. I hope you have much better luck losing weight than I am having ! Hang in there, it will get better.

[MSan914 3]

I have my pre-op consult on March 13th....all ready to start the two weeks of liquids....can you drink as MUCH of the liquid as you want? Or are you limited?

[smallersmile 0]

I'm getting ready to start my pre-op liquids as well tomorrow. A little nervous but excited too! Just want so badly to get this weight off, so a couple of weeks of nothing but liquids will have to do!!! As for soda and carbonated drinks I was told no more! The carbonation swells the stomach..........

[OnMyWeighDown 0]

I just got home from my pre-op appointment and I'm a go for Friday!! I'm very excited and even though I don't want to wish away time I wish it was here already!

I asked about the carbonation and was told NONE. It can cause the small part of the stomach to swell and that is what can lead to erosions. They said if you absolutley must drink carbonated beverages to let them go flat before putting them into your stomach...hope that helps!

As for the calorie restriction on the liquid diet I'm limited to 800 calories a day pre-op and then unlimited liquids/calories post-op (only because I'll be healing and they figure I won't want much anyway). I'm still going to make smart choices though because who wants a bunch of empty calories when they've just put their body through surgery:tongue2: