Hi all,

I am one week from surgery and was supposed to start my pre op diet today. Just stay under 40-50 carbs a day for 1 week. No biggie right?

I have never ever been able to do low carb for more than 3 days. I don't just get headachs, I get confused, can't track conversations, feel so agitated that I want to crawl out of my skin. I would rather do anything.... liquid only even.... just let me have carbs.

Now, I am a pretty tough chic. I have a high pain tolerance and have been through my share of BS (haven't we all). I am no sissy but I can't do this!

I started the diet a few days back because I knew it would be hard and I couldn't afford to screw up in my pre-op week. After day 3 on my trial run I had to leave work because I seriously couldn't track what was happening in meetings, I had to read e-mails 4-5 times to be able to absorb them.

I ate a couple of pieces of pizza and felt like a train had hit me so I went straight to bed. I have a hangover from the whole experience today... even though my glycogen has been resored with pizza crust.

Now, today is the day I'm really supposed to start. No do overs this time. I have had about 50 carbs but I know the crash is comming.

Has anyone else ever had this? I know it sounds extreme but it's really bad. I thought about calling my doctor but I'm afraid he'll say if I can't even do low carb how am I going to have the sleeve.

I can do low calorie. Just have to have carbs.

(I'm okay with really good for me complex carbs like lentils and stone ground wheat).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Stacey

You can DO THIS. It is really important because after you are going to be really doing low carb when you are on Clear liquids only. If you can get past those first couple of days it will get easier. I hate low carb because of they way I feel with the headaches and no energy but about after day 4 for me it was better. Plus if you have a week under your belt before you go in you will be one step ahead. I believe the low carb diet and the exercise I did before my surgery help me recovery faster and with little pain or hunger.

I know you can do this hang in there!!!!!

Thanks for your encouragement.

I am told that if I can just make it past the 3rd or 4th day I can do it. I really feel like I should do this pre-op because I will have enough to deal with after.

I think that I am going to cut back on calories.

Oddly enough I have been on a low calorie/low carb diet before and didn't have this issue. It's just when I do the straight low carb thing. I know that doesn't make sense.

I'm going to try cutting back on calories and see if that helps.

Am I crazy... does everybody have this reaction??

thanks

stacey

We are total opposites. I had a 2 week liquid pre-op diet that was awful. I would have killed to do low carb! At least you can eat!

Just stick with it, and you will feel okay. I know from doing the Atkins diet so many times that it takes about 3 or 4 days to get all the carbs out of your system, and once you do you will feel much better. Also, once you're post-op you probally won't be getting in that many carbs per day. I'm 2 weeks post-op and I'm averaging about 30-35g of carbs a day, simply because I can't eat/drink that much.

Stick with your diet so your surgery has the best chance at success! Good luck!

I know what you mean about carbs but Honey, you CAN do this! Think about how much you want this lifestyle change, how many positive things this difficult process will bring to your life, and how much stronger you will feel with each day.

Stacey,

Have you tried the Atkins shakes? Walmart has them in a few different flavors. I like the chocolate ones the best. They are low carb but taste sweet enough that it might help trick you brain into feeling better. Atkins also has several good Breakfast bars.

Also, maybe try cutting back slower on the carbs rather than going straight to the lowest number. Any decrease is better than nothing. Maybe do 80 for a day, then 70, etc. It truly will be better if you can get past those 3-4 days. Do you have the weekend off? Maybe you can time it to hit 40 or less then when you can sleep it off or take a hot shower to relax.

Hang in there! It will be worth it!

thanks guys

I'm did 80 yesterday and will try for 70 today. I feel like such a baby.... but this sucks. Your all right though. Its a small price to paky for a wholenew life.

Going to wal mart for atkins shake today (I woke up dreaming of waffles from Dennys)

thanks

stacey