Very Hard Time enduring the Pre-Op Protein Shake Diet - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

guitarjeff · 08-09-2008, 08:45 AM

I have 9 more days left for surgery. I have been on the Protein shake diet since Monday Aug. 4th and I will have to say it is one of the hardest thing I have had to endure, especially when I have to work. The program I am involved in told me I am allowed 3 protein drinks and 2 health bars a day. To add to this a day I am allowed sugarfree popcycles, sugarfree jello, soup broth and celery/carrots, Thats it.The first 2 days were brutal, my body went into shock and by the 3rd day I became very weak and was forgetting things a work, I felt I was not getting enough protein so I added a little lean deli meat and low cal cottege cheese with 1 fruit and finally I feeled better. I called the program and expained to them how I was feeling, they told me that this is normal to feel this way and to not eat anymore meat just add more soup broth, that this was important for my liver to shrink so that I wouldn't have any problems in surgery with having a big liver. They also told me that if I did'nt follow the program that I could sabbotage my surgery and the surgeon would close me up and rescheldule my surgery. This sucks, I went through alot just to get here, I want my surgery to go well and get it over with, I went ahead and followed with the program. Finally I recieved a call from the head surgeon yesterday and he said some people have more muscle mass and for me, I will need more to go ahead and add turkey jerky from Costco (just the little lunch bags) 1 a day , add an apple a day and crunch on bellpepper,cucumbers,lettuce,celery and use no calorie free dressing. This will definately help!!! I can not believe I made it this far, I have lost 5 lbs. also, and I am ready for surgery. Has anybody had this kind of experience with the shake Diet? This has been a draining ordeal.

Shell8170 · 08-09-2008, 09:29 AM

I had a horrible time with the diet. I could have two cups of veggies a day but they were specific kinds and I couldn't use any products to prepare them...butter etc. I would rather go without them at times then to eat them with no add ins. By the last two days of my liquid diet I was gagging on the protein shakes and could hardly stay awake after work and my body was sooo weak. I was pushing as much water as possible but even that made me sick towards the end. I would say just get through it anyway you can and make sure you don't cheat. The day of my surgery they actually had a patient before me who must not have followed through with the pre-op diet and the liver was not workable...they did in fact end up closing up without doing the surgery...not worth the risk to me and I am so glad I didn't cheat the diet. My liver looked perfect the day of surgery. I agree the pre-op was one of the hardest things I have had to do but it just feels like a distant milestone now. I am over two weeks out and feeling pretty good at this point. Good luck with the diet and remember it is well worth it!

isabel41206 · 08-09-2008, 10:05 AM

I am doing the preop now myself today is one full week ! i hate the shakes but I bought sugar free strawberry syrup and added that to mine and it helped also I can tolerate the slimfast low carb better (not as bad tasting) I have also mixed a scoop of protein with my slimfast and added more water and that seems to help fill me up better. for some reason they all taste better cold so add those ice cubes !!. hope this helps. good luck !

Bianco · 08-09-2008, 10:32 AM

Hi, I am from the UK. I had to endure pre op 5 weeks of the soup diet, which consisted of 4 small can's of Heinz weightwatchers (like dishwater) soup a day and 4 Mullerlite yoghurts. I have to say by the end of it, I could not manage the 4 cans a day and had 2 if I were lucky... As for the yoghurt. I never want to see another in my life! I am now post op and out 8 weeks and the weight is moving very slowly as it did with my pre op diet and I am beginning to wonder was it all worthwhile. But that is another story. In the US at least the diet seems a little more varied.
I hope your op goes well, and this is the price we have to pay to get it done. My wishes are with you.
Bianco.

Withacy · 08-12-2008, 06:17 AM

I wonder why these pre-op diets vary so much?

My diet is "0 carb". I'm allowed meat, cheese, eggs & green veggies only. I started last Wednesday, and I'm as weak as a kitten (my surgery is next Wednesday). And the headaches! Thankfully they're starting to ease. My body just has to get used to not having such an easy sugar supply, I guess.

I have lost 9 pounds in six days. But I dreamed about eating cake last night. Same type of dream the night before. Can't imagine why.

Baja Big Dog · 08-12-2008, 08:54 AM

I am no NUT, but this process seems ridicules, my procedure was to loose 10% of my body weight in a 6 month period, it was a lot more simple than killing yourself for two weeks, I dont see the value of this, and I wonder what the real effect on your liver really is in this short time.

But again, I am not a NUT!!!

DENISEJOLEEN · 08-12-2008, 04:18 PM

I Hear Ya Jeff!!! I also have To Lose 10% Of my body weight by Sept 18th...so I am on the Optifast diet...it is without a doubt one of the hardest things I've had to endure...but I just have to keep my eye on the "prize"....straight liquids for me for 7 weeks pre-op and Lord knows how many weeks post op! I know as hard as it is it will all be worth it in the end!!! Best Of Luck To You!!!

Mikizinaniisii · 08-12-2008, 06:20 PM

OMG I love the protein shakes- I am using the Iso Pure powder both strawberry and Chocolate-not at the same time. I like them better made with water, my daughter liked them better with 8 oz of skim milk. We both add our own fruit to the mix, and ice cubes to chill it more making a 12-15 ounce shake that is thicker. (calls for 12 ounces of water) 2 scoops of Iso pure and ummm ummm down the hatch. Iso pure is also cheaper in the long run. I get it from between $54-$68 a huge container.

I also like the EAS found at wal mart, and Atkins, but only the Mocha latte in the atkins. I love the strawberry best of all of them.

I am only 2 months into my 10% weight loss and I am sure I don't have as much experience with all this as you guys that are ready for surgery, but I did want to offer what I had.

My daughter is almost 1 year out on her surgery and has lost over 100lbs and looks like a godess! She has always been a very attractive girl / young woman and now Mother, wife and woman, but the weight loss has given her so much confidence. She is even wearing a bikini for the first time. I am so proud of her!

My battle hasn't been losing the weight, it's coming off me like I have a magic bullet that only I know about. I am down 24 lbs in just 1 month 2 weeks. I don't think the answer lies in dieting. I think the answer to losing the most weight is exercise. I go to the gym 5 - 6 days a week. I also walk 1-5 miles a day after the gym work out. I also go to physical therapy twice a week to work on making sure the muscles around my knees all develope equally so I don't keep falling all the time. However I have endured a sports injury-No walking for me until it's healed. I can bike ride but I don't have a bike so I have to just settle for the stationary bike at the gym. SAD SAD SAD! I am going to go nuts with out my walking.

I'll shut up now!

timidcharm · 08-12-2008, 06:55 PM

I was told no pre opp diet , just dont gain 1oz or he the Doctor wont do the surgery.... Alrighty Then... So I figured just to make the transition easier Id try shakes on my own. Im lovin them . I drink 3 a day and have 2 cups of soup . Im thinking this might work . Everything will change on Thursday when I checkin for pre-opp Day of testing . I get the nasty stuff you drink the day before to clean you out...YUCK

Martha

moniram8 · 08-12-2008, 07:10 PM

oh my goodness
i am so jealous of you all!!!

I was on a strictly clear liquid diet for 2 weeks. ONLY Broth, jello, unsweetened tea, SF pops, and steamed green vegetables(no seasonings)....thats it! The hardest part was no coffee.....i woulda killed for a cup after 2 days ! lol