Hi all! So yesterday was my first official day for my pre-op diet consisting of 3 protein shakes, 1 small yogurt, 2 cups lettuce w/ very light clear dressing, and 2 1/2 cups of SF jello.... Needless to say yesterday didn't turn out so well. I ended up caving in and having a pita wrap with coleslaw for dinner along with some chocolate..... The pre-op diet is hard! I don't know how to go from eating like I used to, to eating almost nothing without the aid of a sleeve! It's getting me depressed because I realize how dependant I am on food to feed the hunger I seem to always have..... and I have to do this for 2 weeks before my surgery on Jan 17th. Today was better but I'm constantly thinking about food and I'm so afraid I'm going to fail before I even get started.....

Anyone have any tricks how to deal with the pre-op diet? Or has anyone else felt the same? It would be nice to know that I'm not the only one who is struggling so much.....

This is how I'm coping with it. I'm staying busy and I constantly have something in my stomach. Either I am drink Crystal light, drinking a protein shake or drinking broth. Mine is strictly liquids and clear ones other than the protein shakes. Late at night is the worst. I'll drink another broth and go to sleep. By that time it's morning and I'm never really that hungry in the morning. I have another protein shake and pack my broth and shake + vitamins for work.

Its something you have to come to terms with. You don't want to run the risk of the doctor not doing your surgery. You have to decide if this is something you can do. Sure, it'll be easier to eat less when you have the sleeve, but you still have to have the mindset of what you can and cannot eat - that has to come from you. The sleeve can only do so much. I'm sure you've set your mind to other things - apply whatever techniques you've used to gain success in other areas of your life to the pre-op diet and you'll do fine

thanks guys! its good to know that i'm not alone. its tough and its not like i can talk about it to my non wls friends.... good ideas!

I am currently doing the pre-op diet and I feel you, it is hard...But my whole mindset has changed. Normally if I was on a diet and got this hungry, I would run out and grab a combo and forget about the diet but for some reason my mind has finally changed. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm ready...I am on day 9 or the pre op diet and it does get easier each day....I have lost 7 pounds so far so that is good too. Less weight I have to lose post op! Good luck and I will be rooting for you!

I am currently doing the pre-op diet and I feel you, it is hard...But my whole mindset has changed. Normally if I was on a diet and got this hungry, I would run out and grab a combo and forget about the diet but for some reason my mind has finally changed. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm ready...I am on day 9 or the pre op diet and it does get easier each day....I have lost 7 pounds so far so that is good too. Less weight I have to lose post op! Good luck and I will be rooting for you!

Yeah, i feel it is getting a *bit* easier as it goes on, but its still the hardest thing I've had to do. i wish you luck and i'm so jealous your surgery is a week before mine!!!

I am in the same boat!!! My surgery is scheduled for Jan 19!! This diet sucks but at the same time i am realizing how much my life (or lack thereof) was revolved around food!! I feel like I have more time on my hands and my brain is free to think about other things!! lol its reallllllly hard doing this... You are lucky you get to at least eat some food still !! My diet is strictly liquids, including Soup but soup that has NO chunks or anything in it.... Plain ol' Cream soup! Oh yum.. =/

The only trick I have, is to keep busy and also keep a bottle of Water or whatever you can drink in hand at all times!!

Good luck to you!!

GoshTiffanye, all liquids.. that has to be hard. I am able to have non starchy veggies anytime and in the morning a bowl of cream of wheat. My surgery is 3 days before you. Good Luck to you !!! I am on my 10th day of the pre op diet and stepped on the scale for the first time today and I am down 10lbs. Keeping busy and drinking is the key.

yeah its no fun!! but I can at least have tea which i love so i just keep that around at all times! <3Lipton Cold brew decaf!! lol

Congrats on the 10lbs!! thats so great!!

Good luck on your surgery!

I can't say there's any trick that will help, sweetie. The cold, hard fact is that it may be a pain you have to endure. You are quite young, so hopefully you've not had to endure many pains, but this is one that you will have to come to terms with, because post-op will not be a picnic. Clear Liquids, full liquids, mushy stuff, soft food, then finally 'real' food.

When you think there is a choice in the matter, it is almost harder to do than when you KNOW there is no other way. Once the surgery is done. You have no choice. You must comply. I know you will be able to muster the strength to make it through. When I get really hungry and something sounds good, I get almost manic about it, so I know exactly how you're feeling right now.

2 years ago, i had a mysterious stomach pain any time i had anything other than CLEAR liquids. SEVERE pain came with anything more. That went on for three of the most miserable months of my life. I actually cried when i saw food commercials. Weeping, sobbing.

I think that actually prepared me for this surgery. I look at the two week all liquid diet that i will go on as a piece of cake, because I know now what I am capable of. Take this opportunity to see what YOU are capable of. You will look back at in amazement at what you did! It's a pretty good feeling. It prepares you for the hard things in life. Things you once thought impossible, you can say, "aww, that's not so bad!" It's like....spiritual sandpaper. Grinding off the rough spots.

Keeping busy IS good advice. I wish you the best, and peace in the process.

I love that image!! "Spiritual sandpaper" that's a perfect way to describe what is going on with us!!!

Lissa