Hi all...

I have a question for those that have gone before me...

Did any of you experience agitation, headaches, mood swings, lite depression, or any other strange symptoms while doing the pre op diet?

I am just not feeling like myself. I am feeling all of those things and some anxiety....sometimes, I have to bite my tongue so I don't say something to hurt someones feelings. This is not me....I am usually very nice, outgoing and upbeat but the last 24 hours I feel like screaming.....

Should I call my surgeon? My doc? or is this "normal"....

Thanks,

Meg

Iam going through kind of the same thing. Its probably withdrawals from all of the bad food, combined with surgery worries, and just not eating much.

Normal anytime you have a big changes in diet your body needs time to adjust. Are you getting any carbs? When you go real low carb it is very had at first

Cheri

I am getting very few carbs.....I am having 2 protein shakes a day, and 4 ounces of lean meat, ( chicken and tuna ) and 1/2 cup of green veggies ( asparagus and green beans ) and water....

Meg

Meg, our preop diets were basically the same. And yes--I did feel the way you describe. It got better after a few days, when my liver started to release its glycogen stores.

But it is quite difficult at times, emotionally. The preop diet sort of underlines for us the enormity of the coming changes.

One thing I can tell you for certain: IT is the hard part. It truly is. If you can get through it, you will do just fine postop.

I prepped myself and those around me for these changes and I never experienced them.

I think all of the extra exercise I was doing diffused a bunch of it plus the fact that I take budeprion (Wellbutrin) daily.

Others will tell you that I am such a miserable jerk all of the time that it just wasn't noticeable. :biggrin:

I tend to go with the latter.

btrieger - Did you increase your Wellbutrin mg's during you pre-op diet? I wondered about calling my dr to see if that would be ok . . . I start my diet Tuesday and I'm predicting moodswings, etc.

btrieger - Did you increase your Wellbutrin mg's during you pre-op diet? I wondered about calling my dr to see if that would be ok . . . I start my diet Tuesday and I'm predicting moodswings, etc.

Didn't change prescription at all.

Im on Cymbalta, and still experienced some of that. I guess it all depends on the person.

I totally relate to what you are experiencing. When I was on my pre-op diet I had a really hard time with mood swings, anger, anxiety and frustration at the 3rd and 4th days! WHOA. I was about ready to quit and join weight watchers! :thumbup:) I drank mass water and frankly, I cheated just a little. By the 5th day I was kewl and it seems my mood imporved as well.

They are all classic symptoms of the body's reaction to ketosis. Contrary to what you may believe right now, they are a good thing!

For what it's worth, my GP had a go at the pre-op diet just for the experience. She said she was lucky she didn't throttle somebody as they would have taken away her licence. So if the doctor feels like crap and can't handle the pre-op diet, I wouldn't feel all that bad that you're not a merry beam of sunshine right now.

I am on day 1 of my 2-week pre-op liquid diet and it has been really hard and emotional for me as well. I hope it goes by quickly. I can only have 5-6 slimfast a day, broth, sugar free popsicle's and jello.

Thanks for all the responses and support. This site is just fantastic. I am feeling much better today and I am not having very many cravings. I do get a twinge when I ride by a fast food place but after about 3 seconds the twinge is gone. I am happy to report a loss of 15 pounds so far....Mind you, I started reducing everything before pre op diet. I don't have as much energy as I would like but I imagine that will improve shortly. I am amazed that since 2 days on pre op diet, a protein shake satisfies me....and my 1 sensible meal a day ( 4 ounces of lean meat and 1/2 cup of green veggies )satisfies me as well....that right there is nothing short of a miracle. I know I can do this...

I have thought of something and its very true for me....

Food cravings will pass weather you indulge or not.....

I choose to live today and I choose health

Take Care all,

Meg

I am glad to hear from all of you, I start the optifast in the am. Wish me luck.

My nutritionist told me that it's from the carb-detox. She said the first four days or so, you'll be a BEAR - irritable, headaches (think about it - we're also giving up caffeine), mood swings, etc. I've been trying to keep mine under control with my good friend Celexa (LOL!) but I have the crappy headaches and honestly - I think I'd probably mug a Papa John's driver if I thought nobody would find out. LOL! (Not for the money but for the pie!)

Last night I was actually fine, though. No bad cravings. I really think your body is just going through a "WTH!" moment and naturally you're going to be a bit annoyed. We're just human. :sad:

Well, today is day 3 of pre op diet and I feel bad again....

I have been REALLY having some cravings....I know what you mean about the pizza driver...lol

I am having headaches and general lack of energy....I want to moan and cry but I'm trying not too. I am trying to tell myself that this is just a big part of getting ready for the surgery....shrinking my liver. I want my surgeon to have the room that is needed for the band to be placed....

I am trying to keep an upbeat attitude and not scream at anyone....but I really just want to sleep.....

I've slept a lot today and I just had dinner. Gonna go take a

shower and get ready for bed....I hope this passes or if it doesn't I hope that my higher power can keep me strong...I am resisting the cravings cause "cheating" is just not an option....

Take Care,

Meg