Okay, I'm one of those people who NEVER ask for help. (I know it's suppose to be okay). But if I have ever needed energy sent my way, it's tonite!!

I'm ending day 11 of 21 days of Opti-fast. I havent cheated, not even a little bit, which I'm very proud of, but I'm kinda losin it now. I've never been a big sweet eater (but I'd take ya down for a big mac, or slice of pizza.. lol) so these chocolate and vanilla shakes are getting sooooo horrible.

I have only 10 days to go till surgery, then I'll say bring on the chicken Broth!!:hungry: It just feels like that seems so far away and the thought of drinking opti-fast for 10 more days.......

I'm so sorry for _itching and complaining but I'm going insane. Any encouragement and of you guys can spare would greatly be apprecciated. Oh and to top it all off my 17 year old daughter is driving us crazy. A few weeks ago I would have gotten mad at her and ate 4 lbs of chicken wings, now I have to find something else to do:angry .

There were times during liquids only phase that I thought I would loose it. It is very hard. You are doing a GREAT job. 11 days with only one choice is a feat!!! Soon you'll be banded and reaping the rewards. Right now it's like you said it's not just the boring/yucky shakes it's also the whole retraining. Goodbye to emotional eating, what do you do with all the time you used to spend in the kitchen, all the time snacking too.......It is a very difficult time and you are not weak, you are STRONG!!!!!!! Keep up the good work......and tell your daughter if she doesn't straighten up and behave you're putting her on Optifast as punishment!!!!

You have good reason to complain! That is a long time without food!

Scream very loud right now. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHH!

Now, don't you feel better! Now go get your shake and drink it all down! You can do this! You deserve to be thin and beautiful!

I know it is hard...I had to do a restrictive pre-op diet for 2 weeks. But you CAN DO IT. Get up and go for a walk (even if just around the house) when you are feeling anxious...pick up a good book or magazine...plug in a good movie...go online...something!!! What helped me is that I visualized all the "good" that this was doing to my liver in prep for surgery. And, it paid off in the long run, my doc said the liver was in GREAT shape and that it made his job super easy and would make my recovery easier. (it did). So, just keep visualizing that and it might help you too. It's hard now but it will get easier. KEEP IT UP!!!!!! Stay positive!

I had to do 10 days pre-op liquids. The way I stayed on track was I bought an outfit in a size 10 and hung it on my bedroom door. Each time I was tempted to cheat I went and looked over that outfit. I also kept a journal, try www.myspace.com it's free and there are a bunch of us bandsters there. You can journal, add pictures, and chat with other people there. I am now almost 10 months out and have gone from a 22-24 to a 12-14, I am almost in that "goal" outfit and that feels great, I can't even remember the discomfort of pre-op days, that is all in the past. I think you are doing great, keep up the great work, and yes this is work. You can do this~Mandy

The work you are dong now is excellent preparation, in so many ways! You are doing so well! I, for one, am super proud. YOU GO GIRL!!! Keep it up. It will be a distant memory before you know it!

You'll have a quicker recovery if you stay on the diet. Does that help at all? It should, quicker recovery means less pain. It's worth the diet.

Also the more you lose now the closer you are to goal. ~Mandy

Hi CLOE, I don't think I mentioned this to you b4, but I did do the Optifast program last year for 12 weeks. They included an Optifast bar with the 5 shakes a day. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! The doc I saw each week allowed bullion cube whenever I needed something salty. The sweetness does get to you after awhile. It wouldn't hurt to make a call and ask if you could have some broth or bullion cubes, especially if it keeps you on track.

Your doing great....keep up the good work!!!

Ahhhh, you guys are great.

Yes, I too will be giving advice like you guys in a few months!!

I ended up just going to bed, and alas another day under my belt. Thank you for all you encouragement, it really helped. :success1: Best wishes to all:biggrin1: . PS....anyone interested in a teenage daughter...lol:phanvan .

GO CLOE!!!

You are going to be soooo successful!

Remember you are not alone!

We are here with you!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

PS....anyone interested in a teenage daughter...lol

Hey Maybe I would trade you my 19 yr old for your 17 yr old lol just for a week or two I promise :guess

Keep your chin up - being on the pre-op diets are a pain in the rear, but well worth it.

Having said that - I am not even banded yet and put myself on a pre-op diet almost 2 months ago. I tried pure liquid stuff first OMGOSH I almost died - no energy and forget about being sane.

Those around us need to understand how hard it is and what it puts our bodies through. Unfortunately, children and spouses don't always understand.

I feel what you are going through and wish you luck.

good luck! I know that it is so difficult right now. I think that we have a real need to eat solid foods, that there is some brain thing that happens with chewing and swallowing, the whole eating ritual. You are stressed from not only not having the food ritual, but the young adult stresses are so dramatic.

You've had your very first NSV, dealing with your daughter without resorting to eating a huge amount of food. Excellent work on your part, be proud of this NSV, it isn't an easy one.