Either everyone here is way stronger than I am, or I am a major cry baby. My question is: when does the pre-op fasting get better? Today is my 1st day and I have never felt to miserable in my life. This is making me wonder what I signed up for. Please tell me that life as a bander will not be this way forever. I'm here sipping on my chicken broth, protein shake, and just downed a popcicle like it was going out of style. My head is killing me, my thoughts are all over the place, and I'm in an emotional funk. I read posts and people are like, "Today is my 10th day on my fast!" and they sound so encouraged and strong. I feel like sh*t. I'm mad at myself for being overweight and why did I get myself in this in the first place? I'm sad, because I cannot sit and have a happy dinner with my husband. Thank goodness I have a wonderful spouse who supports me. He doesn't furnish food in front of me because he knows how hard this is. I feel like I won't be able to make it to the 2 week mark for my surgery. When does this get better? When is there a light at the end of this tunnel of a hell called liquid diet?

Either everyone here is way stronger than I am, or I am a major cry baby. My question is: when does the pre-op fasting get better? Today is my 1st day and I have never felt to miserable in my life. This is making me wonder what I signed up for. Please tell me that life as a bander will not be this way forever. I'm here sipping on my chicken broth, Protein shake, and just downed a popcicle like it was going out of style. My head is killing me, my thoughts are all over the place, and I'm in an emotional funk. I read posts and people are like, "Today is my 10th day on my fast!" and they sound so encouraged and strong. I feel like sh*t. I'm mad at myself for being overweight and why did I get myself in this in the first place? I'm sad, because I cannot sit and have a happy dinner with my husband. Thank goodness I have a wonderful spouse who supports me. He doesn't furnish food in front of me because he knows how hard this is. I feel like I won't be able to make it to the 2 week mark for my surgery. When does this get better? When is there a light at the end of this tunnel of a hell called liquid diet?

Hello and welcome.....you sound like me about 7 months ago!

You are not crazy, weak, or a cry baby!!!!

The preop is hard--it just is...some get thru it better/worse than others. It's like detoxing our bodies of every ounce of crap we put in it!

The first days are hard. You have abruptly changed your eating habits, the quantity and types of foods that you are used to consuming! It is a shock both physically and mentally. Give yourself a few more days to adjust and get used to it...it is a shock to your system! And I'm not saying it's gonna be awesome in three days but you will hopefully start feeling better.

As for beating yourself up about where your weight has gone....think about what you are doing now to fix that...begin thinking and picturing where you will be in two weeks, two months, four months and how great you are going to look and feel.

I also have a wonderfully supportive hubby....consider yourself one step ahead with that kind of support! You will be able to have meals again...just not right now...the preop is important for many reasons...stick with it and don't give up. Whenever you waver think about why you are truly doing this! I didn't cheat once on my preop...I'm no better or worse than anyone else who had to do it...I was just scared of jeopardizing my surgery for something I've eaten so many times before....and would be able to have again...and I do just in much lesser quantities!

And you will be able to eat again and believe me mushy foods will be soooooooo good....LOL......really good. (And I know for a fact because I had a two week preop AND a two week post op all liquids....it can be done....AND YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Hope this has motivated you and given you some hope to remember this phase is temporary...a small necessity to get you to your goal!

Either everyone here is way stronger than I am, or I am a major cry baby. My question is: when does the pre-op fasting get better? Today is my 1st day and I have never felt to miserable in my life. This is making me wonder what I signed up for. Please tell me that life as a bander will not be this way forever. I'm here sipping on my chicken broth, protein shake, and just downed a popcicle like it was going out of style. My head is killing me, my thoughts are all over the place, and I'm in an emotional funk. I read posts and people are like, "Today is my 10th day on my fast!" and they sound so encouraged and strong. I feel like sh*t. I'm mad at myself for being overweight and why did I get myself in this in the first place? I'm sad, because I cannot sit and have a happy dinner with my husband. Thank goodness I have a wonderful spouse who supports me. He doesn't furnish food in front of me because he knows how hard this is. I feel like I won't be able to make it to the 2 week mark for my surgery. When does this get better? When is there a light at the end of this tunnel of a hell called liquid diet?

Hi,

I just started 3/27 and I must say it was very hard. I had one day to enjoy food until my liquid diet. I have had the jitters, and hunger pains. I am managing to stay full, but I'm going to the bathroom every 30-45 minutes. I'm drinking the knorr soup stock. It is very flavorful along with flavored water. The first 3 days are the hardest. Hang in there were gonna make it!!!!

You are getting your body ready for surgery. When I was going through my pre-op diet - it sucked! But, I kept thinking that this was my last step before my surgery. When I first got banded I wasn't that hungry, it was a few weeks before I became hungry again. The difference between now and after surgery is that you will not be able to eat as much and that constriction is what makes wls different from anything that you've tried before. It's worth it - trust me I've been where you are! This is the hard part - you are almost there!

I just finished day 10 of my preop diet with surgery on April 1st. I read a lot on here that after day 3 it got better, but I would have never believed it with the way I was feeling. However, day 4 came and my hunger was reduced and I found my groove. So, hang in there and when u see the scale move you will know it is worth it. I am down 11 pounds as of this morning and have 3 days left.

When I was doing my pre-op diet I thought the same thing - "When does this get easier!?" A lot of people say they felt better after the first few days, but for me it took more like 5. And then around day 10 I got back into a funk because I didn't even WANT to drink the Protein shakes anymore. I think each day is different because obviously we have different emotions every day, but I will say I had more good days than bad ones! What helped me was 1) chewing gum 2) drinking a ton of Water so I wasn't dehydrated 3) sipping broth or tea when I felt like I was starving 4) Eating Jello to feel like I had something other than liquid in my stomach.

It takes a lot of practice and discipline to make it through the pre-op diet and the 6 weeks post op before you get your band filled. It's a complete lifestyle change. Don't get down on yourself because you're struggling. We all struggled and still have struggles after surgery. My motto was and still is "keep your eye on the prize!" Just think how great it's going to feel to be strong and healthy! You're taking control of your life and your health and that is something to always be proud of! I wish you the best of luck in your journey

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am hanging in there. Today I feel a little bit better and have really been trying to meditate. I feel that the majority of this is mental hunger and it is all in my mind. Meditating has helped me calm my mind and my thoughts. Today I made a great discovery... Diet Orange Crush mixed with vanilla protein!!! I never realized that I would come to appreciate something so small! I almost felt guilty drinking it because it was so good! I tried drinking broth last night but I gave me a gag reflex I just couldn't get it down.

Sounds like a Dreamsicle! Oh no, now I want a Dreamsicle...

Hi, I just started 3/27 and I must say it was very hard. I had one day to enjoy food until my liquid diet. I have had the jitters, and hunger pains. I am managing to stay full, but I'm going to the bathroom every 30-45 minutes. I'm drinking the knorr soup stock. It is very flavorful along with flavored water. The first 3 days are the hardest. Hang in there were gonna make it!!!!

.

I'm starting my milk ad yogurt diet on mon for seven days .... Getting my Band the 7th April ... I'm more nervous about the pre op diet than the op Itself lol , I think it's just hitting me now that I have to change my lifestyle !!! Eeeekk !!!

I understand completely! I started my journey in Oct. 2013- the first 3 days are horrible- you are totally consumed with hunger, frustration and doubts. But then you start detoxing from all of the poisons you have been putting in your body for so long and you become more focused. Hang in there- remember WHY you are doing this, and it will be easier!

Trayg, that was how I felt on my pre-op diet. The lifestyle change suddenly became a reality. I'm happy to say I embraced it and I'm following directions this time, which is refreshing. I'm gonna do this and so are you! Stick with it and keep your eyes on the prize!

Either everyone here is way stronger than I am, or I am a major cry baby. My question is: when does the pre-op fasting get better? Today is my 1st day and I have never felt to miserable in my life. This is making me wonder what I signed up for. Please tell me that life as a bander will not be this way forever. I'm here sipping on my chicken broth, Protein shake, and just downed a popcicle like it was going out of style. My head is killing me, my thoughts are all over the place, and I'm in an emotional funk. I read posts and people are like, "Today is my 10th day on my fast!" and they sound so encouraged and strong. I feel like sh*t. I'm mad at myself for being overweight and why did I get myself in this in the first place? I'm sad, because I cannot sit and have a happy dinner with my husband. Thank goodness I have a wonderful spouse who supports me. He doesn't furnish food in front of me because he knows how hard this is. I feel like I won't be able to make it to the 2 week mark for my surgery. When does this get better? When is there a light at the end of this tunnel of a hell called liquid diet?

I believe I had a post just like this one except I said preop diet sucks a$$ personally it didn't get easier for me, but I stuck to it because I wanted my surgery and post op to go good. Im almost 3 weeks out and couldn't be happier. Just remember why your doing this and remember you will eat again just healthier. I dont even crave the junk I did before. Belive it or not I crave tuna, turkey, and chicken. I've been in your shoes. It does get better

Love you all! You guys give me strength and I feel I've gained a family!

I agree that the majority of this is a reality shock, which made the first day so depressing. Today I'm better than I was yesterday, and I hope that each day I grow stronger!

I feel that fasting is helping me focus my mind of all the junk I've cluttered it with. We are moving May 1st, so today I did a lot of packing and cleaning. I felt like Wonder Woman, and wondered how I could be so energetic off of Water and Protein lol

Spoke too soon. Nights are the worst. This liquid diet has me so depressed. I'd do anything to be able to even have a raw carrot.

Screw this BS! Today I fainted and hit my head. I'm having such a hard time. So shaky, numb, and to top it all off--I fainted. I know that the purpose of this is to shrink the liver, but I'm really struggling. I am boiling an egg and am going to eat the egg whites. I've read about people who cheat on this by going all out. I'm hoping that eating boiled eggs will not make or break whether or not I have a surgery. Gonna call my doc tomorrow.

Sorry but I can't help but laugh at the back and forth feeling that you're having cccv4. It truly is hell. It does get easier but I will be honest and was one of those that cheated. I didn't go all out with cookies and chips but ate more than I should. I teased/fussed at the nurse - they've had us on supervised diets with appetite suppressants for months for insurance reasons and make us stop those pills two weeks prior to surfer in conjunction with this super low caloric diet.

It will get easier. Are you allowed Gatorade? That will help keep you feeling a bit better. I drank a lot of water, tea, and coffee during this time.