Hello All!

This is my first time posting to this forum. I am to be banded this Thursday, June 19th. My surgeon requires a 5 day clear liquid pre-op diet. I started two days ago. Saturday and Sunday were good because I have the weekend off. Now, here's Monday, I'm at work, and I'm a chef! I'm struggling. I haven't felt this jittery yet. I kept telling myself that by the third day everything would be downhill. I was able to avoid food this weekend by staying home, out of food social situations, and finding alternative forms of entertainment. As a cook, I knew to anticipate a bit of struggle. I'm not suggesting that I can't handle this, but I knew that the nature of my livelihood could create an additional challenge.

Here are my thoughts from the experience so far:

1. Food is first and foremost a form of entertainment for me. My biggest challenge this weekend was find other things to fill my time. I love to cook big meals for myself and sit in front of the tv. This is how I relax. Suddenly, I found I was bored and had to find other things to do. I read a book and went to see a movie in a theater. Just had to keep myself busy and avoid my usual triggers.

2. I pray that whatever is on the other side of this surgery feels far better than food. I'm struggling today.

3. I'm having thoughts of self-sabotage. Well would happen if I just took a bite...(but I won't!)

4. This is the first time in the process since I've questioned whether or not I'm doing the right thing.

5. Struggling is ok. It is OK to struggle. Struggle comes before success, not just in the dictionary.

These are just some thoughts I'm having and I thought I'd put it out there. If anyone has any words of wisdom, guidance, or compassion to share, it'd be most appreciated.

Hi there, can you have a cup of broth -- I'll bet you make some beautiful stocks and maybe something savory would do it. Just think how happy your liver is going to be and how much easier for the surgeon to place your band properly because of what you're doing right now. And congratulations on choosing yourself and your healthy future. I am seven months out and so happy. It's not just the weight loss but having that appetite monster off of my back. I am able to have the foods I want, just in very small portions at appropriate intervals. You are going to do beautifully -- almost there!

Hi Bandista!

Thank you for the reply. Actually, I made some amazing vegetable broth using carrots, celery, red onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, and a little Kosher salt. It's my absolute life saver. I can honestly say that I'm not hungry, but my mind is. I can actually feel my brain expanding and contracting as I think about food. It's so weird. Thanks for the kind words. I want this hunger monkey off my back too.

2. I pray that whatever is on the other side of this surgery feels far better than food. I'm struggling today. I promise, it does!! I'm only 5 weeks post-op, but I'm loving my band so far.

3. I'm having thoughts of self-sabotage. Well would happen if I just took a bite...(but I won't!) I still struggle with this daily, but my finance always tells me, "what about that dress you want to fix in November for your friends wedding?" Don't let them get the best of you!

4. This is the first time in the process since I've questioned whether or not I'm doing the right thing. I put of wls from 18 to 26 because I just knew I could do it myself (i've been overweight from childhood). Obvi, when I tipped the scales at 303, I couldn't do it on my own. If you've gotten this far, you know this is the right decision for you!

You've got this girl! I cant say enough good things about my band so far, and hopefully you'll feel the same about yours!

Hi Bandista! Thank you for the reply. Actually, I made some amazing vegetable broth using carrots, celery, red onions, peppercorns, bay leaves, and a little kosher salt. It's my absolute life saver. I can honestly say that I'm not hungry, but my mind is. I can actually feel my brain expanding and contracting as I think about food. It's so weird. Thanks for the kind words. I want this hunger monkey off my back too.

Would you be willing to share this recipe?

Congrats on getting your band!!!! The diet the week before surgery is a pain in the butt. The first couple of days were really bad then after that i was not really all that hungry and i learned to be creative with what i could have to keep me from not being hungry but i know that all dr have a different diet before surgery to follow unfortunatly you have the hardest one to follow but you only have two more days and you can do it!!!

For anyone on here who is interested, here is my recipe for vegetable broth. It's much healthier,tastier, and more economical than buying it at the store. I tend to be a person who just throws in a little bit of this and that, but I'll give a rough guide for a homemade stock. If you have further questions, just google "vegetable stock recipe" and that should give you some more information. I would also recommend acquiring organic ingredients, at least for the vegetables.

2 lbs roughly chopped carrots, just wash and cut off the tops, cut into large chunks, no need to peel

1 large bunch of celery, tops and bottoms cut off, cut into large chunks

2 red onions, peel off first layers, cut tops and bottoms off, large chunks

5 or 6 cloves of fresh garlic, don't even bother to peel

3 tablespoons of whole, black peppercorns

2 bay leaves

kosher salt to taste

Put all of the roughly chopped vegetables, bay leaves, and peppercorns into a large stock pot, 12 quart pot works well. Fill the pot to the top with warm Water. Cover, but only until it starts to boil. You can start the pot on high just until it starts to boil, then turn the heat down low so the pot is lightly simmering. You don't want it to rapid boil. Then, just let it simmer for 2 hours or so. Once it's done, strain the vegetables from the broth. You can toss out the vegetable matter. Add a little bit of kosher salt to the broth, not too salty, it will taste odd like salt water. Just enough to bring out the flavors of the vegetables. Let it cool and then store it in glass jars or plastic containers. I drink at least 1 quart (4 cups) a day during my 5 day liquid diet. It's a life saver!

Enjoy!

Let me know if you have any more questions.