Pre-op liquid diet, help! - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Zenomia · 10-09-2006, 01:31 PM

Since the priority is losing weight before surgery and losing it quickly, you are doing fine. I think some people stick to the drinks only and do ok, but struggle just as much as you in the beginning. After about 5 days, you get 'used' to it. I was on a restricted calorie diet pre-op..under 800 cal. and it was total hell!! I was going to bed hungry and my stomach growled all the time. I suffered, growled, grew angry and ended up losing about 15#'s in a week and a half. Point is, it's only TEMPORARY!! We only have to do it for this little short span of time before we get our super duper helpful tool!! I guess it becomes a mind set....you CAN do this as LONG as you know it's only for a SHORT time. Sure we STARVE, we growl, and are misserable for two whole weeks, but that really doesn't add up to the lifetime of missery as being MO, does it? Could you starve yourself for two weeks if you knew there was an END to it, that after THIS date, life as you knew it would change? Would that be worth it? I guess only you can answer those questions. It's all about puting it into perspective. Best of Luck!!

kittens4 · 10-09-2006, 02:57 PM

Zen, you are SO right! 2 weeks is such a short time in the grand scheme of things. My attitude is I'm going to get through it knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel! I work for a group of GI docs, so I know the importance of keeping the liver little and following Drs orders. There is a good reason they want us to follow the plan! I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery! At least with my 2 week diet my doc allows 2 cups of veggies a day! Woohooo!!! Have a good day!

Olusha · 10-10-2006, 01:08 AM

lol Well the two cups of veggies a day does make a huge difference! I made it through the whole day on all clear liquids except for one batch of mushrooms I sauteed in broth and spiced up a bit. I was really proud!

I hope your first day went well!

kittens4 · 10-10-2006, 08:53 AM

Day #1 went aok! Had a headache, but other than that, I lived through it! We'll see how day#2 goes. I have my pre-op class this afternoon, so will be busy. Well, I am off to work! Have a good day!

Rachel · 10-14-2006, 09:29 AM

I put myself on the liquid diet, with a small meal at night. I need to lose the rest of my 10% before my orientation on November 28th so that I can get scheduled with the Surgeon and set my surgery date.

Reading all of this was very helpful... to know what I am headed for. I just started last night (had a soup for dinner). I am using the Medifast stuff.

I am in the mindset of its only a short time and then I get to have an amazing tool that will change my life forever!! Then again I was only able to deal with Child Birth by telling myself it was only ONE day!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

Gina in NY · 10-14-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olusha

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm on day 3 now and I've lost SEVEN POUNDS. I weighed both times in the morning, completely naked. Seven pounds seems like a lot in 3 days.

I did eat some veggies today and I probably will tomorrow too, but I'm gonna cut out all food 4 days before the surgery. I emailed my surgeon and told him I couldn't hang, so he's aware!

Good luck to everyone else who's just starting it. It's harder than I thought it would be.

I don't know dear, I hate to be the wet blanket here, but your doctor has given instructions - I would follow them to the letter. (even if you tell him you're not following the instructions- I still think it is best to follow them)

I promise, you won't die if you do only clear liquids for two weeks. MANY folks have done it and hated it, cried, cursed etc. but tough poopy, you know? You are about to be sliced up and have your anatomy permanently altered - you're in for some HUGE changes. Your relationship with food is about to change forever - you must make these adjustments in your head more than anything.

If you don't do as you're instructed after surgery, you could end up in the hospital, or with your weight back on. Now I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but you should really think about what you're telling yourself by deciding you'll follow some instructions, but not others. I don't believe you "can't" do it - you can but only if you want it THAT BAD. You have to want to do this like you want to breathe - then you will do it.

But again, you do what you think is best - I just felt like someone should give the other side. You're journey has begun - how do you want to travel?

Good luck!

Duckie · 10-14-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina in NY

I don't know dear, I hate to be the wet blanket here, but your doctor has given instructions - I would follow them to the letter. (even if you tell him you're not following the instructions- I still think it is best to follow them)

I promise, you won't die if you do only clear liquids for two weeks. MANY folks have done it and hated it, cried, cursed etc. but tough poopy, you know? You are about to be sliced up and have your anatomy permanently altered - you're in for some HUGE changes. Your relationship with food is about to change forever - you must make these adjustments in your head more than anything.

If you don't do as you're instructed after surgery, you could end up in the hospital, or with your weight back on. Now I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but you should really think about what you're telling yourself by deciding you'll follow some instructions, but not others. I don't believe you "can't" do it - you can but only if you want it THAT BAD. You have to want to do this like you want to breathe - then you will do it.

But again, you do what you think is best - I just felt like someone should give the other side. You're journey has begun - how do you want to travel?

Good luck!

Thanks Gina. I thought I was the only one that felt this way.

kittens4 · 10-14-2006, 05:40 PM

I agree with you both. The liquid diet isn't that bad, and we must do what we have to in order to make the surgery as safe as possible. I know he's not having me do this to be mean! He's doing it to reduce my liver size and intraabdominal fat! Makes sense to me! At first I was thinking I'd never make it doing this "diet"...but, knew it had to be done & I'd give it my all! Well, it's now day#6 and I'm doing just fine. I've lost 13 pounds since my consult last month...5 or 6 of those have gone just this week! My instructions are to drink the BariatrXessential meal replacements 6 times a day..and I can have up to 2 cups of veggies a day. I've done that and had no problems. The headache the first day was no party, but it passed. Actually, I feel great now! Lighter and more energy! I'm so looking forward to the rest of the journey. Can't wait to be at a healthy height/weight ratio for the first time in my adult life! When I think of all the health problems I'm saving myself from by doing this, it makes me smile, and know that I can get through it! This is hard, but very easy compared to the alternative.

SweetSouthern · 10-15-2006, 12:15 AM

Elaine, you seem to be doing great! I am proud of you. Keep up the good work. You are reaping the benefits of what this process does for you already.

Olusha · 10-15-2006, 02:29 AM

I finally heard back from my surgeon's assistant and she said eating some vegetables was fine, even a little fruit was ok, blended up.

I can understand your attitude, but I don't think it's fair to compare right now with post surgery. It's not like I was trying to justify eating pizza. I wasn't trying to reason myself into something bad for me and of course I won't jeopardize my life post surgery by doing something inappropriate.

Did anyone else who's posting here actually have to do clear liquids with only three low calorie protein shakes per day? Six would have been heaven!

I was ingesting less than 300 calories per day and I weighed over 300 lbs. I don't really think it's realistic to say I should have soldiered through that when I passed out on day 5 from weakness and had blurry vision. I'm on day 10 and I've lost 16 lbs.

I'm not posting here to start an argument with anyone. If you disagree with me, that's fine. I just wanted to express my feelings. I'm sure this post will get a lot of sneers and an "oh, she's doomed" attitude, but I'm posting it anyway. I didn't intend to start off on the wrong foot in this forum at all and I'm surprised that it happened.

I'm leaving for surgery on Tuesday morning and I hope everyone wishes me well, I'm sure you do even if you disagree with me on the vegetable thing.