pre-op liquid diet - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes

mistymee · 07-13-2008, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Withacy

I could do a heavily restictive diet much better than an all out liquid diet - that's what has me panicing.

For what it's worth.. I didn't have to do an 'all liquid diet' pre-operatively. Mine was a mostly liquid, but one low calorie, low fat meal a day. Perhaps you could ask your surgeon if that might be a possibility for you as well?

MiladyB · 07-13-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Withacy

I honestly may need xanax to do this.

I could do a heavily restictive diet much better than an all out liquid diet - that's what has me panicing.

And I'm not going to pretend to accept this from my doctor and then say to myself "it isn't necessary, I'm going to cheat". Like I said before, I'm not going to lie to my doctor. Heck, if I just meant to cheat, I wouldn't be in panic mode would I? And if you knew me you'd know that if I ate a cookie three days before the surgery I'd break down in a sobbing mess and confess all to my surgeon. (OK, "sobbing mess" is an exageration. But the rest isn't.)

I'm not afraid of not eating. I'm afraid of hunger. I've gotten to the point (with help and meds) that I don't eat for fear that I will BE hungry. I've been very prepared for what the after-surgery situation is going to be. We've worked on it, a lot - and I will be ok. But this is out of left field - no one prepared me for it, or told me about it - it's just being sprung on me out of the blue, and yes, I'm panicing.

We all have different issues and different reasons for being the way we are. And the best any of us can do is work on them. I know I have mental health issues, I've battle them since I was a teen. And it's more than just weight. And while it's easy to flippantly say that I should just suck it up or that I'm not ready for the entire process, I don't think that's fair. People who have medical conditions sometimes have to do extra things in preparation that a person without those conditions doesn't have to do. Mental health issues are no different. And I have done that, with my therapists and doctors. It's just that a new complicating issue has been raised HERE that no preparation has been made for. Anyone who has ever dealt with people who have mental health issues - no matter how small or large - knows that preparation is key.

And it may be that my situation will not be that extreme, though I have a tendency to never let an opportunity to worry pass unutilized.

Withacy, I think it is important that you speak to your surgeon about your concerns. See if he can give you some Xanax and see what his pre-op diet consists of. It may not be a total liquid diet. Sometimes it isn't. Like I mentioned mine wasn't. The things that will decrease your liver size are eating really low calorie, high protein, really low carbs and really low fat. Maybe with discussion with your surgeon and nutritionist some kind of plan can be put into place that you will feel comfortable with.

I totally understand your need for a plan. I really do. If your surgeon isn't open to hearing you out maybe you need to get your therapist involved.

Good luck with getting some answers.

Withacy · 07-14-2008, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

Withacy, I think it is important that you speak to your surgeon about your concerns. See if he can give you some Xanax and see what his pre-op diet consists of. It may not be a total liquid diet. Sometimes it isn't. Like I mentioned mine wasn't. The things that will decrease your liver size are eating really low calorie, high protein, really low carbs and really low fat. Maybe with discussion with your surgeon and nutritionist some kind of plan can be put into place that you will feel comfortable with.

I totally understand your need for a plan. I really do. If your surgeon isn't open to hearing you out maybe you need to get your therapist involved.

Good luck with getting some answers.

Thank you. Actually, this helps a lot.

My anxiety was caused by the fact that with everything they prepared me for - and took so LONG preparing me for - why wouldn't they prepare me for a liquid only diet when they knew it would hit me square between the eyes (with my phobias)? They use ONE SPECIFIC surgeon...so they should know!

But what you're saying above (as opposed to most of what I was reading here with "Time for the liquid diet") makes me feel a little better. Because my Nut DID tell me that I would quite possibly have to go on an extremely low carb/high protein diet (and stop taking aspirin and similar drugs) for 10 days to 2 weeks before my surgery.

I'm letting myself be thrown - and worrying myself sick - over what other people are saying. I should just keep my eyes on my processes. It's ironic that I came here to find out what the doctors weren't/didn't think to tell us. My surgeon's appointment is Thursday, so we'll see what happens then.

tiaaya · 07-14-2008, 09:44 AM

I went through exactly the same thing as you did...and to be honest, it was really really rough to get through those two weeks but I did it. I hung in there and I wasn't really very hungry during that time. My doctor kept on me about making sure I drank my full allotment of shakes a day (I was supposed to drink 5 and I would only be able to get 3 down some days).

Buy yourself some great movies to watch, make plans to visit people, work late and get some overtime, drink lots and lots of crystal light. That's all I can suggest. Believe me the time passes by and you'll be so proud of yourself for getting through it. just keep in mind, you're doing this for your health and it's just two weeks. Once you have the surgery, you can indulge more in other things as time goes on. I'm 4 months out and I'm so pleased now. I eat lots of things and those two weeks were just part of the journey. Good luck on your journey!

RebeccaNV · 07-14-2008, 10:15 AM

Those of you who are diabetic and had to do a pre-op diet..what were you told to do about your medication? I am on insulin.