5 days pre-op

Well it's only 5 days to go now. I am doing really well on my liver shrinking diet, and am having no trouble at all managing on what is allowed. I can have 2 shakes a day, plus a Lean Cuisine meal. If I am hungry I can have a yogurt of 100 calories or less, a boiled egg, or a salad with 1tbl of dressing, SF popsicles, SF Jello, or clear no-carbonation SF beverages. The first three days I was ready to eat the packaging, but it became easier and easier after that.

The trick to this whole thing seems to be cleaning sugar from your system, including carbs that turn to sugar. I am a sugar addict, and that was tough for me. Since doing it, everything is easier. I just have to stay away from them to keep from sliding back into my old habits! It took 3-4 days of no sugar to get me feeling better. It is worth it though if you are really serious about losing weight.

You need to give up Carbonation and Caffeine BEFORE surgery and even before your pre-surg diet! It is hard enough to deal with cutting down on calories without dealing with the other stuff too. I weaned off of caffeine slowly to avoid the headaches. Coffee is my vice of choice, so I began by making half-caff for awhile. Then I would rotate half-caff with decaf and finally all decaf. I can't tell the difference now.

Sodas were easier as they weren't my favorite thing anyway. I did drink them occasionally, but don't touch them now. Crystal light is a good substitute for them.