I am scheduled for surgery on March 23rd. My doctor requires the Optifast diet as the pre-op diet. My question is has anyone had to do any type of pre-op diet for 7 weeks??? This is my 3rd day and I am sooo hungry. Folks in my office are teasing me (lovingly) about how loud my stomach is growling. I am so hungry I can't concentrate on any task for very long. I am thinking of incorperating a garden salad at lunch or dinner (with a tablespoon or two of low calorie dressing) just to keep the hunger at bay. 7 weeks is a long, long time to be hungry. Anyone have any thoughts and/or suggestions? I'm desparate. I dont want to be non-compliant (they dont want you to have ANY food whatsoever) but I cant live like this. HELP!!!!

I feel for you I had a 14 day liquids only and 4 weeks liquid only postop.. wow this would even be hard for the veterns. Do you have an excessive about of weight to lose or is your doctor that much of a butt.. There are not too many times I have heard of this..Wow I guess the only thing I can say is good luck...

Several years back I did Optifast as a way to lose weight, the hunger went away after about the 5th day, if you can hang in there. I managed to keep it up for 4 months before cooking for the family got to me. I made my shakes with lots of ice and different flavored diet sodas and that seemed to help as well. Also, it probably wouldn't hurt to ask the doc's office if adding a salad or other veggies would be a deal breaker.

Best of luck to you

I am scheduled for surgery on March 23rd. My doctor requires the Optifast diet as the pre-op diet. My question is has anyone had to do any type of pre-op diet for 7 weeks??? This is my 3rd day and I am sooo hungry. Folks in my office are teasing me (lovingly) about how loud my stomach is growling. I am so hungry I can't concentrate on any task for very long. I am thinking of incorperating a garden salad at lunch or dinner (with a tablespoon or two of low calorie dressing) just to keep the hunger at bay. 7 weeks is a long, long time to be hungry. Anyone have any thoughts and/or suggestions? I'm desparate. I dont want to be non-compliant (they dont want you to have ANY food whatsoever) but I cant live like this. HELP!!!!

Hello Chinasl45;

I came to this site because I needed support. I just started my pre-op diet today, and I too am starving. I only have to do this for 2 weeks, but already feel I am going to have a hard time. This is the first time I heard of a 7 week pre-op diet.

I feel for you. My surgery is coming up in 2 weeks. February 23rd to be exact. Well, I just wanted to say "hang in there" Have a blessed evening.

Jan

I did Optifast but only for a week, so I feel for you doing 7 weeks. Did they say why for so long? The longest I have heard of was one month so it does seem a very long time, perhaps they are testing your strength of character.... it does get easier after the first few days so hang in there and think of the added health benefits your diet will give you and the weight you will shift before surgery.

I am scheduled for surgery on March 23rd. My doctor requires the Optifast diet as the pre-op diet. My question is has anyone had to do any type of pre-op diet for 7 weeks??? This is my 3rd day and I am sooo hungry. Folks in my office are teasing me (lovingly) about how loud my stomach is growling. I am so hungry I can't concentrate on any task for very long. I am thinking of incorperating a garden salad at lunch or dinner (with a tablespoon or two of low calorie dressing) just to keep the hunger at bay. 7 weeks is a long, long time to be hungry. Anyone have any thoughts and/or suggestions? I'm desparate. I dont want to be non-compliant (they dont want you to have ANY food whatsoever) but I cant live like this. HELP!!!!

I'm on my second week and I feel great! I asked the dietitian a similar question (eating salads) and his response was: "In between shakes, you can have non caloric beverages/liquids, but no solid foods. Non caloric liquids include: sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, chicken or beef broth, diet iced tea, and black coffee or tea sweetened with a sugar substitute (Splenda, Equal, Sweet and Low, Truvia, etc.)"

Best of luck