Pre-Op Diet

[bev.lynn 8]

For those of you that are on or have been on the pre-op diet, are you/did you lose? I lost a couple of pounds the first few days and have not lost since. I'm drinking Protein and eating my one lean protein meal at night. I only cheated once and it wasn't that bad at all. I thought I would be losing more. I'm a bit discouraged and am nervous. I have surgery on the 20th. My doctor didn't say I had to lose any specified amount of weight prior to surgery, just that I had to do this diet. I'm interested in your experiences with the pre-op diet.

[iggychic 1,405]

I was on a two week, modified Atkins type program. All I had to do was keep under 40 carbs, which was super easy. I enjoyed wine and cheese and steak the entire time LOL I lost ten pounds, but was not required to lose anything.

Many do the preop just to get your liver in better shape. It has nothing to do with weight loss with some docs.

[IsB 209]

I had 1 week of 4 shakes plus 1 small meal at dinner and then 1 week of 5 shakes. Not fun but I did lose 12 pounds over that time which was about 5% of my body weight so it did work.

For the record in the 6 months prior to that which was my medically supervised diet I only lost 8 pounds.

[badknees 2]

I start my pre-op on the 26th. I haven't seen the menu yet. I hope I can still drink beer. Stopping alcohol will be harder then food I think.

[Kelly123 13]

I had a two week pre-op diet of only liquids. It was the hardest thing ever!!! I had to get in 3-4 Protein shakes a day and 64oz of Water. I was allowed to eat sugar free Jello, pudding and crystal lights and Soup. I lost 12 or 14lbs. I did cheat also but it was on grilled chicken and broccoli!

@ Badkness beer is not in your future. You can just forget about alcohol altogether for at least the next 6 months if not longer. The point of the pre-op diet is to not only jump start rapid weight loss but to also shrink your liver so it its easier to handle during surgery. If it's too big they will just sew you right up and be done without doing anything to your stomach and this will be all for not. After surgery the carbonation of beer will make you sick. Besides you will only be drinking 4oz at a time anyway. Start cutting down now!!

[Tiffany Talbert Corbet 46]

I'm right there with Kelly123. I'm on day 12 of my 2 week liquid diet. 5 8 oz. glasses of milk with Carnation Instant Breakfast no sugar added (I swear, if I have to smell one more chocolate shake, I'm going to hurl). I am allowed any sugar-free clear liquid and sugar-free jell-o. The pudding is not on my list. So far, my only cheat has been a couple spoons of unsweetened applesauce. I've had plenty of opportunities to cheat, and still found myself following orders. I must really want this!

I was told that the liquid diet is to shrink the liver as well, since it is the primary store of fat. The smaller we can get it, the less likely it can be nicked during surgery. Our stomach sits beind it, so making it easier to get out of the way only benefits everyone. Plus, I kind of wonder, if in some small way, they're trying to get us into new habits. I was taught it takes 7 days to learn a habit, 21 to break one. Well, with the 2 week pre-op diet being mostly low sugar and Clear Liquids, and post-op being Clear Liquids only, thats 21 days to learn how to survive on much less sugar and to concentrate on what you're eating. Are they perhaps in a subconscious way trying to train our brains?

Nurse told me typically patients who do thier diet will lose between 9 and 20 lbs. Looks like I'm normal. I have lost about 10 lbs in the last 2 weeks. Today I was up a couple oz., but I'm pretty sure I'll lose another 1 - 3 by Friday for surgery day.

Good luck everyone!!

[Kelly123 13]

Good luck to you Tiffany on your surgery!

[badknees 2]

I have been on the liquid diet for 5 days now. I am drinking shakes and having broth and Jello in between. I am not going to weigh myself until the day of surgery. Dec 13. I have not cheated except to lick the pizza cutter after cutting my wife's pizza. The hardest time was getting a subway sandwich for my wife. It all smelled so good.

What is everyone eating 6 months after the sleeve. The information packet says no salt, corn, potatoes, or anything with seeds. I understand low carb, but you must be able to have a little now and then. I can't believe anyone really avoids all those items. I would think you just use a little. Change to no fat mayo...

[GlendaLee 44]

I got a late start on my pre-op diet, started about 9 days before surgery, 2 Protein shakes and small dinner a day. I lost about 9 lbs. I'll be honest, I love margaritas, I mean just like people like their beer. I slowed up on them pre-op... and have not missed them at all post-op (1 week)!! Unbelievable!! Haven't even thought about 'em!! My husband still has his beer after work, doesn't faze me. Hope it's the same for you, cuz I've heard the same thing... No alcohol. Good luck!!

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[GlendaLee 44]

FYI... Crystal Light makes margarita, appletini, and mojito flavored drinks... maybe a beer flavor one next?? lol

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