Here's the skinny on the pre-op liquid diet (pun totally intended)

[mnmlst 249]

A lot of people are worried about the liquid diet pre-op (I know I was before I started it). I thought I'd give some info for the curious or worried.

I'm on day 3 of 12 of my liquid diet. It is not that bad. Really.

I mean, day 1 was extremely hard. I was super hungry and it was hard to watch my family eat all day (and I have a toddler who is constantly sticking grapes in my mouth, etc.). Day 2 was easier. Day 3 is going great.

I guess it depends on what your doctor says you can have, but I'm on Protein shakes (4/day), yogurt, sugar free pudding, sf Jello, and certain low-cal low-carb Soups. The Soup saves my sanity because it's not sweet.

So far I haven't had any headaches. I am allowed one cup of coffee per day, but I hear this is unusual.

I have lost 5 lbs already. In 2 days. That alone will help me stay on it.

So, not that bad. If you can, ask your family to help by not eating your very favorite foods for those 2 weeks. Otherwise, it's pretty smooth sailing. I'm eating less than 1200 calories a day (just under) and I don't feel all that hungry.

Good luck to those of you starting your liquid diets soon!

[Vsglady 142]

Great post! Good luck and keep up the great work!

[dogloverlosingit 6]

I started pre-op yesterday. Mine isn't liquid though, just the last two days are liquid. It's 1200 calories and 80 grams of Protein. So I am doing one 40 gram shake and doing food for the rest. I was hungry yesterday but it wasn't horrible. Lots of planning though. Which is probably good practice. I can't leave lunch at home and go through a drive through, that's for sure!

[leenieceymic1 90]

Mnmist I totally agree with you. The liquid diet is not that bad. I too have a toddler & all she does is eat. I cook for my family & I haven't been tempted to eat. I'm in day 7 & I feel great!!!! Planning is a must, I couldn't agree with you more dogloverlosingit. Best wishes to all & keep up the excellent work.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Well, the issue is that everyone's pre-op diet is different. You say you are feeling great and don't have headaches, but then you go on to say you are eating just under 1200 calories a day. My pre-op diet had me on only 450 calories a day, so my experience was VERY different from yours!

I'm glad things are going easily for you, though. I wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy!

[kenb79 95]

I'm on day 2 of my 2 week liquid diet. Yesterday I drank 660 calories. Not sure why so many people have so many different diets.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

I'm on day 2 of my 2 week liquid diet. Yesterday I drank 660 calories. Not sure why so many people have so many different diets.

Every surgeon has different requirements. Who knows how they decide upon one method or another, but I like to assume they know what they are doing. My surgeon only allowed me 3 Protein shakes per day (max of 150 calories each), one green salad with calorie-free dressing, and sugar-free Jello or popsicles. Since the salad and sugar-free stuff had next to no calories, that was only 450 calories a day for me.

[honeybunz 139]

Well, the issue is that everyone's pre-op diet is different. You say you are feeling great and don't have headaches, but then you go on to say you are eating just under 1200 calories a day. My pre-op diet had me on only 450 calories a day, so my experience was VERY different from yours!

I'm glad things are going easily for you, though. I wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy!

Me either! I had to stay between 700-900 calories and no more than 50 carbs a day. I was allowed Protein shakes, sf Jello, sf popsicles, broth & crystal light. It was the hardest thing I've ever done!

[MisforMimi 760]

I think about all the crazy tactics I've used to loose weight in the past!!! I've survived on the Joe Cross juicing fad for 60 days, no solid food whatsoever! To anyone juicing, I think its good for certain things (and still juice vegetables only on occasion) but sustained weight loss is not one of them. Lost 40 pounds and gained back 80. I'm thinking I'll be well-equipped to get through whatever pre-op diet they assign. And how many people have done nutri-, opti, -slim, -fast etc etc??? and gained it all back??? I actually obese people have a lot of willpower.

*

[mnmlst 249]

Wow! I had no idea there were so many super strict pre-op diets out there. Kudos to everyone who did less than 1000 calories a day. I am doing ok on my 1200 ish calorie per day diet, but it's still not easy. I can't imagine some of the others people mention. I guess it really does depend on your doctor.

Good luck to everyone!

[BurningButter! 5]

How do you plan your liquid pre-op diet, what kind of things to you stock up on? I'm trying different Protein shakes but that's it. Anyone use anything different? Do you add Protein to the other stuff or just eat it as is? Can anyone recommend any brands? Anything I should completely stay away from?

I'm still several months out from my surgery but was going to practice the liquid diet to see if I can stick to it so when the time comes it won't be such a big deal.

[IronDruggist 136]

My pre-op diet allowed 4 Bariatric Advantage Protein Shakes per day, plus any low calorie liquids, Jello, popsicles, etc. The best things I stocked up on were different flavors of "soup starters"...pho broth, tortilla Soup broth (Swanson), Chinese hot and sour broth (also Swanson). These were great because most of the allowed foods are sweet...artificially sweetened, even worse. The only problem is they are high in sodium, so you can't go too crazy with them. I also really craved chewing, so I did allow myself an occasional dill pickle or some celery. Personally, I would advocate this pre-op diet. It is fool proof, you don't need to count any calories, and convenient. It sounds pretty dismal, but it really isn't bad after day 3 or 4. I think it is also a good way to start to rewire your relationship with food. You definitely are forced to find other things to think about other than food!

[PamJayne 4]

I have been on 1300 calorie diet for a couple months now...I met with my nutritionist on Tuesday and she went over what I will have to do when I am given the go ahead on the 2 week liquid diet (only waiting for 30 days on the cpap machine before I can get scheduled for surgery). I am only going to be allowed 600-1000 calories per day...protein shakes, sf pudding and Jello, sf popsicles (can have fruit chucks in them prior to surgery but not after), certain Soups and broth is what will be on menu.

I am really worried about the liquid diet phase - praying for the will power to make it through it. I have four boys aged 2, 9, 12 and 14...growing boys they are, eating everything and anything in site.

I want to wish you all good luck and keep up the good work!

[mnmlst 249]

@BurningButter! I stocked up on Protein shakes (obvs), yogurt, sugar free Jello, sugar free Jello pudding and low-sodium Soups. But all diets are different so your doctor will tell you what's ok to have. I'm going out today to pick up some sugar free popsicles to mix it up a bit.

My favorite yogurt is Siggi's fat free. It tastes weird at first b/c it's really low sugar, but that keeps the carbs low and once you get used to it it's really good. I'll eat this post-op, too, if I still like it then.