Hey Everyone,

So its official... I started my Pre-Op Diet today..Boo:( It sucks because surgery isn't till September/October(its going to be in the first week of one of those months) I am required by my PCP to start a diet because I have high tryglycerides(lipid levels) and my cholesterol levels are up a bit. Sadly the diet he wants me on, is the exact same diet I am required to do for Pre-OP... 2 shakes + 8oz lean Protein and 4 cups veggies. He did say I could have 1 cup of low glycemic berries if i felt it was absoloutly necessary...but he said he would prefer me to eat veggies over fruit( of course )

This diet that I have to start today, i have been on many times before and each time I have done it, i have failed. One time I managed to lose 40 pounds in 3 months..but I felt like I was starving all the time even though I was in Ketosis. I just felt so hungry.. I don't like living off of shakes..especially the Premier Protein ones..Everyone seems to think they taste like a chocolate milkshake and I think thats nuts...It tastes awful to me.. So fake tasting and the artificial sweetner(yuck!) So i am stuck with the Premier one's because that is all we have available until I go down island to a GNC or health food store that carries other shakes. I plan on trying the Isopure and if that is no good, I will order me some Syntrax samples...

It is just so flipping hard to be on a diet. I break down and cry lots when on a diet. I feel miserable most of the time...it's not fun! If i could do a diet long term, i wouldn't need this surgery..What makes Dr.s think you can stick to a diet before that???

Anywho...weighed in a 312 pounds... Im 6ft... I hope to be down to 270 by the day of surgery. Anyone else?

Hang in there! When I started my pre-op I thought it would be impossible and, doing it perfectly all the time was. Just do the best you can! The first few days are the hardest and then it gets easier. If you can just stay focused on the end goal (surgery) it makes it easier too. I just kept reminding myself "this is going to save my life". As I said it wasn't perfect and now that I am 8 days post-op and can't eat anything...I SO don't regret having a small piece of chocolate cheese cake for my birthday (2 days pre-op). If at all possible don't think of it as fail or success. Each day try to improve on the last. I hope that helps and doesn't sound too preachy. I know it's incredibly tough. This whole process is difficult but I;m sure you can do it!

*Hugs* That sounds miserable being on a preop diet for that long especially not having an official surgery date in site. I felt awful on the preop diet ... so tired and lethargic, moody ... and mine was only 10 days.

All I can say is that after surgery it does get better. BTW, have you thought of making your own shakes? I find them much more filling and tasty than the bottled ones. I cannot stomach any of them canned anymore. Designer whey has a french vanilla powder and Syntrax/Matrix has a whole variety of powders (can get a sample pack). Believe me, if they taste bad to you now, they will taste even worse after surgery.

Edit: I was 270 on surgery date and I'm 5' 8 1/2" (I have to add that half inch in because I was 5' 9")

This is a really long time to be on this diet - but it's great training for the sleeve. Just do the best you can - I think between the insurance and the surgeon, this is a test to see if you can be compliant with the new way of life.

My pre op diet was only two weeks but I know how you feel. I was hungry and miserable until around day 4. I was like, why would they put this unreasonable demand on me? If I could lose weight on my own, then I wouldn't need surgery!!! Duh!!! But then I changed my thinking. In addition to losing weight, the pre op diet helps to shrink the size of your liver prior to surgery. The smaller your liver is, the easier it will be for your surgeon to do his job. So I tried to focus on that. The good thing is that you can have foods other than shakes. One of the things I did on my pre op diet was that I "treated" myself to the grilled chicken market salad at Chic Fil-A every few days. It has fresh greens, grilled chicken, strawberries and blueberries. It was delicious and it gave me something to look forward to. Also, try blending some frozen fruit with your shake. It makes them taste sooooooo much better and it's another sweet treat for you!! Hope this helps a little. I lost 22lbs on my pre op diet. Hang in there!!!! You can do it! You are worth it!!!!!

I'd order some Syntrax nectars now! If u go to their official website they'll send you some variety sampler packs for much cheaper than other retailers. I buy my nectar from Vitamin shoppe website bc cheap 35$ for2lb tub & free shipping. I like the lemonade it tastes like watered down lemon Jello. I mix my mio into it for variety.

Good luck.

allons-y