Pre-op Liquid Protein Diet & snacks

disappearingme · October 31, 2010

I started my pre-op Liquid Protein diet on Friday. My instructions are 2 Protein Shakes a day plus one meal with a lean Protein and a vegetable or salad. I've done my shakes with either Water or skim-milk, and it doesn't matter to me which I use. I still get a little hungry between lunch and dinner. I haven't seen the nutritionist yet, but here's my concern. If I make my shakes with water, then between Breakfast and lunch, I get 280 calories, leaving 720 calories for dinner. That's a lot! I was wondering if it was okay to have something like half of a Tomato, hardboiled egg or cup of green Beans with my shake for lunch or a midday snack to counteract the hunger and at least help the calories along. In the past, I have had absolutely no issues sticking to a 1200 calorie a day diet without even trying, so 1000 is not really that big of a deal. But I'm up at 6am and go to bed at 10:30, so there is a long time in that day where I'd love to have a small healthy snack. I really love veggies, especially squash, zucchini, broccoli and tomatoes.

Dawn · November 1, 2010

I also started my two week pre-op today and I was told an example meal would be as follows

Protein shake (with milk) for breakfast

lunch -

Lean Turkey

bread

cheese

Lettuce

Tomato

Light mayo or Mustard

Baked Lays or 100 Cal Pack of chips

snack

Yogurt, fruit or veggies

dinner

Protein Shake (with milk)

I am supposed to stay below 1500 for the day! Today I am just below 1200 because my Protein shakes with milk are like 430 per shake!

disappearingme · November 1, 2010

Thanks so much for your reply! My surgery is still at least 6 weeks away, probably more like 8. I'm not sure why such a strict diet for so long. I understand the whole shrinking BMI & liver part, but I haven't heard of anyone else doing the liquid Protein diet for that long before surgery. I'm hoping when I see the nutritionist, she'll tell me it's okay to have a snack. If so, then this is definitely doable. If not, I'm really going to be hungry!

klus263 · November 15, 2010

Be glad, my pre-op diet is a complete liquid diet starting on Nov 24-surgery is scheduled Dec 1st. I can only have Protein Drinks, low-fat cream Soups (strained), sugar free Jello or pudding, yogurt-no chunks. I am on a clear liquid diet the day before surgery. After surgery-I have to follow the same liquid diet for 2 weeks before adding soft foods. But it will be worth it.

2Fluffy · November 19, 2010

I'm on the same diet as klus263 - all liquid, from today until my surgery date December 1. I'm starving right now, so I'm going to go to bed so I won't think about it! I'm sure I'll get through it, and I know for sure I won't starve to death! If I were a Christmas goose, I'd be the perfect one to roast - nice and fat with a giant liver! Hang in there - we can do this!

Leesey · November 24, 2010

Ladies, please write back with some ideas on how you stuck to the liquid diet. I start mine the day after thanksgiving and I am totally worried about my ability to stick to it. HELP!!!

I'm on the same diet as klus263 - all liquid, from today until my surgery date December 1. I'm starving right now, so I'm going to go to bed so I won't think about it! I'm sure I'll get through it, and I know for sure I won't starve to death! If I were a Christmas goose, I'd be the perfect one to roast - nice and fat with a giant liver! Hang in there - we can do this!

2Fluffy · November 24, 2010

Ladies, please write back with some ideas on how you stuck to the liquid diet. I start mine the day after thanksgiving and I am totally worried about my ability to stick to it. HELP!!!

First of all, Leesey, I had to find a Protein drink I could stand! Most of them are okay if mixed in a blender with ice or frozen fruit, but that's a pain. I tried about 5, and then found nectar. It's available on Amazon, or in some Vitamin stores, and comes in 8 or 10 flavors. I bought Roadside Lemonade flavor, and it tastes like Crystal Light. It mixes easily with Water, so I can take it with me in a baggie in the car, and put it in a bottle of Water and shake it. That has been the best thing! Also, I started on the chewable Vitamins, Iron, and Calcium, and that helps because it makes me feel like I'm having a snack! You can do this - the first 3 days are kind of hard, but after that I actually felt better, with more energy, than when I was eating. The first day I had a headache. Second day I felt nauseous and weak. Third day I felt weak. After that I felt great! Just don't get discouraged - it's going to be amazing when you're thin, and you'll barely remember this time. My surgery is on December 1, so I'm still on liquids. When is your surgery?