Mary11

I am 5-days post-op, so the pre-op fast is still fresh enough in my mind . . . and it's really not that bad. My biggest issue was giving up my morning coffee! It really is just a mental thing. I still got to have protein drinks, along with clear liquids. You can drink 3-4/day. I loved the vanilla whey powder with a few ice cubes in the blender every morning. A couple of hours later at work I'd drink some orange tea with a bit of Splenda. When I felt stomach gurglings aroung 11:30 I drank the pre-packaged chocolate protein drink I had stocked in the fridge at work. I didn't feel hungry after the protein drinks. In the afternoon I had a cup of bullion. When I got home I made another vanilla blender drink for dinner. Could snack anytime on SF jello and popsicles. I didn't really feel hungry. (I went through a lot of jello.) A few days prior to the start of my fast I did the "last time" eating out/fast food thing that I knew I wouldn't be able to enjoy for a while. And, of couse, the night before my surgery I made sure to have that "last meal" protein drink at 10:30 pm since I couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight. Old habits die hard! I did have a few moments though -- I took the tiniest nibble on a couple of things just for the taste. It was enough. Another night I had made stew for my kids and there was just a little left in the pot and I couldn't resist. I put a few meat chunks in my mouth and chewed and chewed . . . and then I spit it out. I still got the taste as well the chewing sensation, plus my dogs didn't care a bit about the leftovers! I even took my girls out to dinner while on the fast. They picked In 'N Out Burger! But I vowed to take charge and I just brought a Tupperware container full of green jello with us. We did get a couple of looks (I would have thought someone was crazy eating jello at In 'N Out Burger!), but I felt stronger for making it through. In reality, it's just a week's time ... it'll be over soon enough. Just wait till after the surgery . . . that's another topic. P.S. I'm with you -- don't tell your grandma -- just show up a few months later a whole lot of "few" pounds gone! It sounds like she'll definitely notice. Don't give her the upper hand! And good luck!