Tomorrow starts day three of my 14 day pre-op diet.

I will admit, I was rather nervous about it. My main concern was not having enough energy to get through my rather physical work day.

I'm here to say... It's really not that hard.

Everyone's pre op diet seems to be slightly different.

Mine is 11 days of 900 cals (3 Protein shakes+ 1/2 cup lean chicken, fish or 1 egg/ 3 cups lettuce and a few sprays of fat free dressing)

Days 12-14 are strictly clear liquid.

I thought it would be nice to start a thread where ppl can post some good survival techniques to help those who are going to be doing their pre op diets and are nervous. Things that have helped you get through easier. Here's my list... Pls feel free to add your ideas as well. Lord knows I will probably need some of them as the days go on!

1. I pre pack exactly what I need to consume throughout that day (including 90 oz water) in my ice chest. If it's not in my ice chest, it does not go in my mouth! (Aside from the Vitamins which I need to discontinue taking 7 days before surgery)

2. When driving down the road...only look straight ahead...turning your head side to side means you'll be bombarded with all the evil food signs. And I personally think they posted a few extra food ads and restraunts since I started this diet two days ago! They are EVERYWHERE!

3. If your favorite TV channel is the Food Network, like mine... Find a new favorite! I'm watching "Lock Up Raw" tonight... The food they feature on this program is certainly not making me hungry!

4.once you've finished all the food/drink you can have for the day, if you're still hungry... Add crystal light or Dasani drops or something with flavor that you like to Water bottle and fill up on that!

5. Stay busy! I've been working my a** off to make as much money as possible before I go down for post op recovery. The side benefit is that the day is over before I know it! I plan on staying super active Til they wheel me to O.R.

Well that's all I have so far, might think of some more tips and hopefully others will too.

2 down, 12 days to go!

We got this

Best wishes everyone...

Today is day 3 and I hope it's better than yesterday.. I had headaches all day and my lettuce turkey wrap was sooo darn good after drinking shakes all day long. Lol It would not be so hard if it wasn't for the headaches. Any one else getting headaches?

I had headaches for 4-5 days. I suspect it's from caffeine and/or carb/sugar withdrawal. They will go away. Hang in there.

I had heard about the headaches and that they're be from carb/ vaccine and or sugar withdrawal, so I slowly tapered off that a week beforehand. Most say after the 5th day you feel great.

Turkey wrap sounds good.

Today is day 5 for me.

10 days Til surgery.

I'm on day 1 of 7 preop diet. I have a headache and feel weak. I've been dealing with a lot of head hunger, my stomach is pretty much ok. I felt my mood totally change halfway through the day when my brain caught up with the fact that I will be eating this way not only in preop but for a long while during post op. The cravings monster visited me several times today reminding me of all the things I didn't have during my food funeral. So this is day 1, getting sleeved on the 30th. I just wish I could twinkle my nose and the 30th would be here. But I know this is a process, jumping into it without being mentally and physically prepared would be pretty harsh. Going to bed early to keep the cravings monster at bay. Feeling kind of low- I know it's the caffeine and carbs withdrawal. Looking for some words of inspiration.......

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I'm on day 1 of 7 preop diet. I have a headache and feel weak. I've been dealing with a lot of head hunger, my stomach is pretty much ok. I felt my mood totally change halfway through the day when my brain caught up with the fact that I will be eating this way not only in preop but for a long while during post op. The cravings monster visited me several times today reminding me of all the things I didn't have during my food funeral. So this is day 1, getting sleeved on the 30th. I just wish I could twinkle my nose and the 30th would be here. But I know this is a process, jumping into it without being mentally and physically prepared would be pretty harsh. Going to bed early to keep the cravings monster at bay. Feeling kind of low- I know it's the caffeine and carbs withdrawal. Looking for some words of inspiration.......

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Here's your inspiration: you only have to do it for 7 days!!! One day at a time! I am on day 9 of 21 and let me tell you, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Good luck.

Here's your inspiration: you only have to do it for 7 days!!! One day at a time! I am on day 9 of 21 and let me tell you' date=' this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Good luck.[/quote']

Thx! That is very true. Goo luck to you too!

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Day 4 and I have to say I feel much better then the first 3 days!! I have lost 6lbs. I read a lot about how surgery day is the start of a new life and journey and how we are counting down to surgery day but I have to say that I feel that my journey started on 10/20/2013!! My tool will be incorporated on 11/04/2013 this pre-op diet is already starting to help me change my relationship with food and concur the cravings.

I have made up my mind and I'm all in!!!

Good luck everyone and hang in there focus on why you can instead of why you can't !!!!

You all are very lucky I just finished day 2 of 14 on a full liquid diet that's 5 protein shakes sugar free hello and popscicles and broth I'm okay tho I have urges but I think about my doctor saying my liver didn't shrink I have to come back and I would be pissed so I'm trying to be good uhhh on to ddy 3 some tips that help me are pray, get to learn yourself, stay busy as a kindergarten teacher I'm busy soooooooo this isn't a problem

Day 4 of 14 done!!!! No problems per se, but i did add some Protein to hot Soup, ugh!!!

Didnt drink enough Water during the AM , but caught up later.

I day two of my 7 day preop w liquid only - shakes n clear liquids , broth n jello. It's been easier than anticipated but finding shakes you like are good and things to mix in make them better. I made a choc shake tonight and added a little peanut butter - yum! I have been a little more tired than usual but sleeping is helping to avoid cravings so count me in for a few zzzzz's.

Survived day 6. In fact I'm so busy I hardley have time to think about eating but I really didnt have alot of energy today.

To the poster above me with the cute blue fish Icon... I dunno about adding peanut butter. Did ur doc say that was ok??? I can of eat that on mine. If u want to flavor your shakes u can add crystal light. Like strawberry to the strawberry shake is good. Peach mango energy crystal light to the vanilla is delicious!! Also those sugar free flavored syrups they sell. I forget the name... Starts with a T.

I can have lean fish (1 small Pc per day) so I have been poaching it in seafood stock and it tastes like lobster.

Survived day 6. In fact I'm so busy I hardley have time to think about eating but I really didnt have alot of energy today.

To the poster above me with the cute blue fish Icon... I dunno about adding Peanut Butter. Did ur doc say that was ok??? I can of eat that on mine. If u want to flavor your shakes u can add crystal light. Like strawberry to the strawberry shake is good. Peach mango energy crystal light to the vanilla is delicious!! Also those sugar free flavored syrups they sell. I forget the name... Starts with a T.

I can have lean fish (1 small Pc per day) so I have been poaching it in seafood stock and it tastes like lobster.

Great question - honestly not sure if ok w my doc - I better chk to b sure - thanks for pointing that out.

I am really nervous... I was given a 4 week pre-op diet of liquids only. Start first week in November

Survived day 7 and I will admit, I was hungry today. Pushed through, drank more water.

I've lost 15 lbs now, so there's no way I'm messing this up!

My clothes are wayyyy looser. My rings are falling off, certain shoes are way to loose to wear. People are just starting to notice that I'm losing weight.

Guys...don't be nervous about this pre op diet. Embrace it. Enjoy the journey... This is what getting skinny feels like. Love it !

This is my first day of pre-op fast. I have been through liquid diets before and know that after a while my body adjusts and I feel great. Just concerned about getting adequate water intake. Must keep water with me today, actually not just today but for the rest of my journey. I hate sugary drinks, especially those with artificial sweetener.

My surgery date is November 8 and I only have to do a liquid diet for 48 hours before my surgery. Wonder why mine is so short compared to everyone else?