Hey Everyone!!

My Surgery is in ONE week from today and I have been "on" the pre op diet Since Jan 4th.

I started to do a shake for Breakfast and lunch and a small dinner....NOw I find myself with Three shakes a day, sugar free Jello and broth.

This is very Very Hard to do.

I feel like my insides are eating eachother and psychologically can't get past the not eating idea.

I have tried projects to keep busy, early to work and it still doesn't help me at 8 o'clock when I need a snack.

Does anyone have some tips????:tt1:

ALso, I would like to Super COngratulate anyone who has TRULY stuck with this diet.... :thumbup:

I am so excited for my band and can't wait to be a Real Bandster.

XOX LOLA

My pre-op was 2 whey protein shakes and 2 lean meals (3 oz. lean protein and a vegetable). It wasn't the worst thing I've done but it wasn't the easiest either. But keep your eyes on the prize! The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver to give your doc more room in which to maneuver. There have been a couple of posters on here who woke up from surgery with no band because they hadn't stuck with the diet and their livers were too big. Back to 2 more weeks of pre-op and then a second attempt at banding. You don't want that, so keep your eyes on the prize.

Thank you for that. I keep thinking that it will be worth it and just to hold strong. You have done well--Congrats.

Would you do it all over again?

I am drinking some broth right now...Dreaming of the future.

That was the hardest 2 weeks of my life. But I will say that Campbells cream soup with protein was my best friend :thumbup:! I had my shake for breakfast, soup for lunch and dinner, and plently of liquids in between. I was good as long as I was "full" but when I messed around and missed that mark, I was ready to eat a chicken:blushing:, I ran and got my soup and added double protein. It will test your strength, but like Parrothead said, just keep your eyes on the prize.

Quick question: is it possible to still have a big liver even if you stuck to the pre-op diet?

This was the hardest part of this for me, BUT my secret for surviving both pre and post op was homemade Soups (we were not allowed any creamed soups pre-op). I lived on beef stew (made with, but then removed the beef and potato before I ate it). And made it with lots of broth so I'd have clear broth for after.

My other staples were homemade french onion and a soup called Groundnut (lots of non-starch veggies to fill me up). I added non-fat dry milk powder or unflavored Protein to each.

Plus 3-4 Protein shakes a day. At least I felt like I was having real food and not simply shakes. I am not a salad person (especially w/o dressing!), so the soups kept me satisfied.

I Start my preop diet this coming monday, 5 shakes a day that's it. I don't know how'm going to do it, I'm so into doing this that I think I will be ok.. I hope:smile2:

Shakes only? no veggies at all? Can you add skim milk and protein powder to make it feal more filling?

I Start my preop diet this coming monday, 5 shakes a day that's it. I don't know how'm going to do it, I'm so into doing this that I think I will be ok.. I hope:smile2:

You will be ok. Just keep your eye on the prize at the end. I am on a 5 week pre op diet of 6 shakes and 1 protien bar. I am not going to lie to you the first 4 days were hell. Gets a litttle easier after that. I have lost 14 lbs in 8 days. That makes it a bit easier when you see the scale. Stay postive and good luck

If you are allowed steamed green vegetables, which most pre-ops allow (i.e. no starchy veges), one tip that helped me was to "practice eating like a Bandster". Even though it wasn't necessary, I practiced cutting up my food into the smallest possible pieces (e.g. no bigger than your thumbnail) and then chewing everything thoroughly to liquid, resting 30 secs between bites, etc. It was a good learning curve, gave me time to really savour the food that I was allowed and drew out the meal time for ages, which actually helped to make me feel satisfied on the small amounts.

I just wanted to congratulate you on your decision to get healthy! You on your way now. This time will past before you know it. Come in the Chat room if you need some encourage there is almost always someone around, at different stages with the band. A really great bunch of people.

I agree with the other bandsters, keep your eyes on the prize! You dont want your Surgeon to turn you away because your liver hasn't shrunk enough. Just remember this too will pass. You can do anything for 2 weeks.

Take care, Holly :thumbup:

I start my liquid diet on Feb 6 (surgery feb 23)...I am NOT looking forward to it! The day before Superbowl? Bleh...no beer no wings etc etc :-( It's going to be really hard being around 20+ people eating all those goodies while I "enjoy" Optifast shakes!! HOWEVER.....knowing that those shakes are taking me one step closer to being healthy and .... not fat definitely makes it easier!!

I am 5 days out from surgery and have made it through the toughest part of the pre-op diet...Last 4 days, I am going to go with just 3 shakes per day...make the liver really small. I know that it is a challenge, especially if your portions were anywhere close to mine. Just know that when you are at your weakest points, busy yourself and keep your eye on the prize. I wish you luck

It was suggested by my nutrutionist to try a week or more of the liquid protein diet before I'm required to start the 14 day pre op for real. I decided this was a good idea because I wanted to make sure I could do it. Today is day 3 and I can honestly say I wanted to eat my foot yesterday. :eek: I'm so hungry. I was warned repeated that I was not to stray from the diet so I'm doing my best. I feel awful! tired, fuzzy brained and little energy. However, I'm going to see it through the two weeks. It's important to me to have an understanding of what I'm in for. :w00t: Did anyone else do this? Is anyone else SUPER hungry? It's been two days and I've lost 6 pounds. I'm sure this will get easier as a move forward, right ??? I have three more months of my insurance required diet and then I'll have to do this for surgery. Maybe I'm crazy.. Well, wish me luck. PS. I actually spent three minutes sniffing a hotdog yesterday (and I don't like them). Isn't that gross? It smelled wonderful. The dog thought it was great.

Yes!! It is very hard. The only thing that has helped me is to drink alot of crystal light or some other no/low cal drink. It seems to keep me more satisfied. You can do it-- you are almost there. I have 2 more days of it myself. My surgery is on 1/18/10. Lots of luck.

Yes!! It is very hard. The only thing that has helped me is to drink alot of crystal light or some other no/low cal drink. It seems to keep me more satisfied. You can do it-- you are almost there. I have 2 more days of it myself. My surgery is on 1/18/10. Lots of luck.

Staying hydrated really does making you less hungry. Propel really fills me up, and keeps the hunger away. But its so expensive. I've switched to Crystal Light, too. :w00t: