For anyone who might find it helpful, here are some tips I have on the pre-op liquid diet, which I am following for one month.

(1) My favorite product is Bariatric Advantage shakes, which have to be mixed in a blender at home. I'm permitted to put fruit into them and my favorite is a banana. I use fat-free/low-fat soy milk or almond milk instead of skim milk or Water. It does help to add some ice. The fruit can be frozen. I have a Vitamix blender, which can handle anything put into it. Sometimes I mix in soft tofu. A blender is going to be an important part of a post-op life, so I recommend investing in a very good blender that will not burn out quickly. There are alternatives to Vitamix (but i cannot remember the names).

(2) I cannot take a blender to work. So I use ENSURE and/or GNC Total Lean shakes. When I am traveling, I find it easier to find ENSURE in a drug store. SlimFast is another alternative.

(3) When I drink a Protein shake by itself, I am hungry after about 2 1/2 hours. So I drink another! I am permitted up to 6 per day. I never let myself feel hungry - that way I don't crave food solid food.

(4) Inbetween shakes, I find chicken bouillion in a cup - hot - to drink - to be helpful in managing hunger. It is great to have something savory instead of all of the sweet Protein Shakes.

(5) I did order the vegetable Soup from Bariatric Advantage and use that inbetween protein shakes.

(6) I use FitnessPal to track calories. I try to stay at 1300-1500 calories per day. I am not interested in rapid weight loss pre-op. The goal is to shrink the liver. I am losing a bit of weight. But I prefer to lose it slowly.

(7) I have to drink a lot of water. The protein shakes make me very thirsty.

(8) The first three days I had headaches - now they are gone. I have 17 more days of this liquid diet, then surgery. Of course, then I start ANOTHER liquid diet.

(9) I view the pre-op liquid diet as good preparation for a new lifestyle - changing my relationship with food. Not every moment is fun. But I am convinced that the discipline of the diet is a good preparation for a new post-surgery relationship with food.

I plan to use protein shakes occasionally for convenience for the rest of my life - particularly for Breakfast.

I am not an employee of any company that produces or is affiliated with any weight-loss products, protein shakes, tofu companies, Vitamin manufacturers, blender manufacturers, food production, etc. I'm simply a consumer of these items.

Not every moment is fun.

Are any moments fun? That's the question! LOL. Good, solid advice here. Thanks!

Are any moments fun? That's the question! LOL. Good, solid advice here. Thanks!

Well, I cannot call the liquid diet fun. I do enjoy the feeling of being a bit more in control of my eating. It's hard to call that "fun." But it is a sense of accomplishment. I will definitely enjoy being able to eat solid food again. I like the idea of eating solid food again only after surgery.

I wish you great success with your weight loss journey!

Thank you for this post. You have no idea how much it helped me!

Thank you for your post great advice I am going to start my pre op in about a week.

Thanks for the advice