ADVICE ON DIETING BEFORE SURGERY

[amys 41]

I will be having surgery in the next few months. I know I will have to do the liquid diet before, but im wondering where peoples mindsets are as far as "dieting " before hand. I feel awful about myself, but im not motivated at all, and in the back of my head I think if I can just get through the next few months, then I will get my surgery. Help, do I try to get motivated to follow a diet now, or just wait?

[funinthesun00 154]

What is tour current weight and how much are you wanting to lose? When I decided to have this done, I was 205 lbs. I am only 5'2" so that put me at a 37.5 bmi. I knew I wanted this weight off as quickly as possible and I am down to 182. I have stayed at this weight for about the last month. I hope to lose about 5 more lbs before surgery on the 18th. I don't think you will regret losing before surgery, but you may regret not losing. Good luck to you.

[johnlatte 1,232]

The more weight you loose, and the better your physical condition, the better your recovery will be. I basically acted like I was sleeved a good month before surgery. My Dr. never made me do a liquid diet. I wasn't so worried about losing a lot of weight, BUT I did everything I could to improve my physical condition. Cut down the carbs detoxed as many impurities (white sugars, processed foods etc.) that I could, then hit the gym to get the overall conditioning done. I was sleeved on a Tuesday and was back in the gym on the following Monday and haven't looked back. Never have had any nausea or problems with the sleeve what so ever. Down 26lbs since the surgery on 11/20. The best thing you can do is start now, with a good plan and stick to it. You'll do much better post op if you do.

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

I will be having surgery in the next few months. I know I will have to do the liquid diet before, but im wondering where peoples mindsets are as far as "dieting " before hand. I feel awful about myself, but im not motivated at all, and in the back of my head I think if I can just get through the next few months, then I will get my surgery. Help, do I try to get motivated to follow a diet now, or just wait?

The more weight you loose, and the better your physical condition, the better your recovery will be. I basically acted like I was sleeved a good month before surgery. My Dr. never made me do a liquid diet. I wasn't so worried about losing a lot of weight, BUT I did everything I could to improve my physical condition. Cut down the carbs detoxed as many impurities (white sugars, processed foods etc.) that I could, then hit the gym to get the overall conditioning done. I was sleeved on a Tuesday and was back in the gym on the following Monday and haven't looked back. Never have had any nausea or problems with the sleeve what so ever. Down 26lbs since the surgery on 11/20. The best thing you can do is start now, with a good plan and stick to it. You'll do much better post op if you do.

I agree, I lost a big chuck before my actual surgery. I felt if I was making this big a change, I better get on board fast. So in June, 2012 when I made the decision to move forward I started weight watchers, then modified it to be high Protein, low carb/low fat. And set out to find a Protein Drink I loved. I've had no problems at all since surgery (other than a day or so of gas) and I think I really got a handle on emotional eating and head hunger. I just make sure I have items handy that I can have and enjoy.

[TamaraS 235]

I didnt stay faithful on the diet before surgery, I cheated a lot. I think this is a huge red flag, warning us we are not ready to commit to the surgery. Even though you physically wont be able to eat as much after surgery you still will be on a diet. I got this surgery thinking I would have no hunger after surgery so of course I could stay on the strict diet they put us on for the first year. I sure was mistaken. This surgery didnt take away my hunger although it has lessened the severity of it. I am losing really slow because I dont follow the rules. I just wanted to share because I should have waited until I was ready to have this surgery. I feel terrible when I see people posting they are constantly cheating on the pre op diet because I see myself and I know the road ahead of them is going to be super bumpy and not at all what they expect. This surgery isnt a miracle worker, lots of hard work has to be put into it as with any diet weightloss plan.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

Not to be the wet blanket, but you need to evaluate what you ment by unmotivated. I have seen alot of people that waiting on the surgery to lose was a blinking yellow light - not a "stop" but just a sign to be preparing for what is ahead. Your sleeve will not do it all. You have to be head-ready. Hunger can be a horrible thing, a true foe - but the sleeve will only reduce real hunger. The reasons why you eat - the bad food choices, the cravings, the triggers - you will hav eto overcome these things or you will not have the sucess you want. Take this time to "diet" but not necessarily to lose weight - get accustomed to some light exercize if you arent already, eat better choices, even if you still eat in bulk. Get away from fast food and trans fats. Read, read, read - and not just here. Not just online! Get the books, do it just like old-school - read, re-read, read again and take notes....

Get practice in food-logs, read up on your meds and what to expect..

There is a series of books called "Eat This, Not That" and they go into better food choices, even if you have no plan to stop eating as much as you are - whatever that is....but it is, generally, nutritionally sound choices, and you would be suprised!!!

For instance: You can eat a CAN of sliced pineapples in Water for 1-2 chocolate Cookies, depending on size and brand...no fake sweeteners or transfats needed. It can be a gentle guide for what is ahead. No excuses either - if you are diebetic, for example - what were you doing eating 2 Cookies anyway?

Good luck!!!!

[amys 41]

Thank you everyone! Such good advice

[Holly5.3 423]

I agree with VST addict above - the sooner you begin to change your diet eliminating flour, soda, reducing sugar, cafeine and fats the better you'll be prepared for the post-surgery diet. I truly can't imagine what the withdrawals would be like to go from eating whatever I wanted to a few days pre-op diet. I really needed the two months it took from my Nut. appt. until my date of surgery to get my appetite and cravings under control. I also lost over 20 pounds so I was enthusiastic for the surgery knowing that those high numbers on the scale would be diminshing never to be seen again, unlike the rest of my life when I would see the scale drop down, then eventually go back up - even higher! When you are ready, you are ready. If people want to play mind games with themselves, having food funerals, etc., that's fine, but why continue to postpone that first step to making your future about living life, not about what's to eat.....

[Capricornrose 59]

I have a minimum of 9mths before being approved for surgery. I've eliminated drinking the sodas. I have to work on the fast food and sweets. I have been eating until my stomach feels like it's going to pop during the holidays. I have to get back on track. Thanks to the previous posters about the advice.