Is it just me or are you guys noticing your body already changing? I'm into my 5th day of a 4 protein shake a day/ 1200 cal a day diet... 9 more days to go. It's getting easier but I noticed some things about my body. Sorry if none of you like talking about digestion! Just a warning

• I have 0 gas, none at all.
• I have had 2 very small bowel movements since I started my pre-op diet. I know I'm only drinking shakes, but shouldn't the protein produce something??? I know a lot of people have the opposite problem and they can't stop going (which I can imagine is rather unpleasant)
• My energy is kinda... blah. (Again, I know I'm not eating food but doesn't protein=energy?)
• My skin is breaking out, I feel like I'm 15 again! (which was only 8 years ago, but you get the picture lol)

Any strange side effects you guys have noticed since you started?

Any veterans with advice?

Should I take chewable fiber tablets I have?

Yes,,it's very hard..I did 12 days of the shakes,,,now finishing up my 2 days of clears,,,,my surgery is tomorrow! I had 'digestive problems' the 1st week,,much better the 2nd week,,it's an adjustment. I also felt exhausted week 1, better week 2..hang in there...while I thought every day would get worse, it actually became easier..I've lost 8 lbs before surgery! hang in there and good luck!

I'm on my second day of a five day liquid diet. It is SOOOOOOOO hard, I must admit I did cheat and have some chicken nuggets for lunch. So far i have noticed that I'm urinating ALOT and I had one BM yesterday and it was liquid. My energy level is kinda of low. I am determined to stay on track for the next three days. My surgery is on Thursday

OK...so it's not just me..LOL! I'm terribly constipated at day three. I hade some "smooth move" tea and that helped me go but now my butt is all irritated. A bit low on energy too but not too horrible.

Yes,,it's very hard..I did 12 days of the shakes,,,now finishing up my 2 days of clears,,,,my surgery is tomorrow! I had 'digestive problems' the 1st week,,much better the 2nd week,,it's an adjustment. I also felt exhausted week 1, better week 2..hang in there...while I thought every day would get worse, it actually became easier..I've lost 8 lbs before surgery! hang in there and good luck!

12 days! I'm glad you said it gets easier. The things I like about the preop diet (as opposed to not being required to be on one) is that I feel like it's mentally preparing me for what's to come. It makes me feel like I'll be able to handle the liquid phase after surgery. My perception of food has already changed a lot. I was craving tuna fish the other day! Never happened to me before lol. And it also jump starts my weight loss. I'm on day 6 out of 14. an 8 lb loss is great! Did you have any cheats or slip ups? I caved and had 1 jelly bean on day 3 haha. I felt a little guilty. So far I'm down 7.8 lbs.

Best of luck with your surgery, I'll be thinking of you! Keep me posted!

I'm on my second day of a five day liquid diet. It is SOOOOOOOO hard, I must admit I did cheat and have some chicken nuggets for lunch. So far i have noticed that I'm urinating ALOT and I had one BM yesterday and it was liquid. My energy level is kinda of low. I am determined to stay on track for the next three days. My surgery is on Thursday

Now I want chicken nuggets! lol I am having a BBQ this Sunday and I decided I'm going to have a small piece of grilled chicken--plain. The only cheat I did was having 1 jelly bean a few days ago. The way I look at it, chicken is Protein, and at least I'm not having a slice of cheesecake. Everyone is going to be eating bbq food and I don't know that I'll be able to sip on my gross Protein shake while everyones eating bbq chicken! Good luck with your surgery! Let me know how it goes.

OK...so it's not just me..LOL! I'm terribly constipated at day three. I hade some "smooth move" tea and that helped me go but now my butt is all irritated. A bit low on energy too but not too horrible.

Hopefully it will get better for the both of us... only 8 days left! And I also noticed that my breath smells very bad... it didn't before... maybe I should drink more Water? I think I'm gonna take some chewable fiber tablets, they taste good, it'll be like having candy lol

Good Luck at the BBQ this weekend. Yesterday we had a potluck and birthday cake for my nephew. I did not show up till after everyone ate and I had a bowl of soup before I left the house. Luckily, my nephew had carrot cake and I hate it so it did not phase me at all. LOL, I tried to justify the chicken nuggets by telling myself it's protein too. I don't understand why their are so many Pre-op diets out there and the length of time people are on them. I wish I could do two shakes and a salad and a piece of chicken.

I just got back from the store - had to buy the chewable fiber too! I got the generic fruit flavored ones that they're not too bad. I guess when you only drink liquid....you only get rid of liquid. LOL.

If you would have asked me last year if today I would be drinking chocolate flavored soy Protein drinks, I would have laughed so hard!!

Hopefully it will get better for the both of us... only 8 days left! And I also noticed that my breath smells very bad... it didn't before... maybe I should drink more Water? I think I'm gonna take some chewable fiber tablets, they taste good, it'll be like having candy lol

OK...so it's not just me..LOL! I'm terribly constipated at day three. I hade some "smooth move" tea and that helped me go but now my butt is all irritated. A bit low on energy too but not too horrible.

I also feel like crap. My pre-op appointment is Wednesday and that is when I'll officially start dieting. But before that I was instructed to stop eating carbs now. So I've been drinking Protein shakes and eating cheese, soy products and so on. I got a hemorrhoid flare-up which hurts and hurts more when I have to go to the bathroom. It feels like hot lava coming out of me. I know gross, but true. I am also fighting a cold and am now freaking out that I'll be sick when my surgery date comes. I have fears of having a fever on surgery day and they delay it! This cannot happen. So, you are not alone.

12 days! I'm glad you said it gets easier. The things I like about the preop diet (as opposed to not being required to be on one) is that I feel like it's mentally preparing me for what's to come. It makes me feel like I'll be able to handle the liquid phase after surgery. My perception of food has already changed a lot. I was craving tuna fish the other day! Never happened to me before lol. And it also jump starts my weight loss. I'm on day 6 out of 14. an 8 lb loss is great! Did you have any cheats or slip ups? I caved and had 1 jelly bean on day 3 haha. I felt a little guilty. So far I'm down 7.8 lbs.

Best of luck with your surgery, I'll be thinking of you! Keep me posted!

Wow, ONE jelly bean? You have incredible willpower!

Just some advice from a "VETERAN"? What ever.

When I was banded 10/31/06 All Bariatric Patients (DIDN"T MATTER WHAT YOU HAD DONE) We were put on FLINTSTONES COMPLETE WITH CHOLINE.

Now if any of you are laughing, I'm here to say they work! I have tried Costcos, and off brand, and even though the ingredients on the label is the same.... It's not as good.

We are put on them for life ! I chew 4 a day, and they keep me Peppy. They also help prevent Bruising for me.

If you look up Choline, you will see what it is. MUST CONTAIN CHOLINE OR THEIR NO GOOD!

You can get a coupon on line, from the Flintstone Web Site. They are in the Orange Box.

When you feel hungry, chew your vitamens, and it will fill you up.

Wow, ONE jelly bean? You have incredible willpower!

Lol I'm really trying. But today I had a low fat cheese stick... 60 calories. But I made sure I was still within my daily calorie limit.