I started my two weeks of Optifast today. (Surgery 10/20) Did you "panic attack" before surgery because you weren't going to be able to eat? And eat as in real food for a while? Not all all am I doubting this choice I've made. I've been good all day but in the past hour there've been serious food demons!

Its a horrible head hunger game. My pre-op diet starts on 10/17 and I'm already fighting the demons and personal crazy making thoughts about being a failure at dieting. I wish my physician considered the three day prep as noted by another blogger. I'm using mediation and biofeedback to calm myself. Wish it was my surgery date so I stop being a worry wart and nay sayer too.

Had a moment today, not an attack. I am on day four of the liver shrinking diet ( surgery 10/17). Fortunately, I do get to have a meal at night. 3oz protein & veggies or salad,so that helps. But it dawned on me today that after the surgery I will STILL be on liquids for a bit.It got overwhelming. I had to tell myself to think about today only. Looking at the big picture can send me into a tailspin. Good news...down 5 pounds in four days. That keeps me going.

i don't even have a DR picked out yet and i am freaking out about eating before/after surgery...i eat a cup of yogurt and think, "after surgery i will only be able to eat half of this" or i take a glorious swig of my coke and think "after surgery i can't even have this anymore"...i know i have got to STOP this thinking...my obsession with food is part of what got me to this point...so when i start to think of all that i am going to miss i remind myself of all that i am going to welcome into my life...and that helps me get out of my own head

It was so crazy. I was ok all day then it all hit me at once. I am glad to know I am not the only one! I distracted myself a bit by painting my nails...and they were wet so eating was out of the question. :-P

I have personal training tomorrow night so that will be distraction.

One thing that I found triggered me was food commercials, people eating on tv, and recipes on FB.

Many of us who are post-op had what are called "food funerals" where we said good-bye one last time to something that we thought we would particularly miss in the surgical afterlife. The good new is that sometimes one's tastebuds and desire for certain foods are altered by surgery.

At nine months out, I still eat what I want, but what I want has changed. My body's internal systems are thriving on healthy food and daily nutrients. The last thing I want is soda pop, Twinkies and potato chips and greasy calzones.

Going through the phases of pre-op and post "deprivation" helped me to appreciate the value of proper nutrition and portion control. You can get through this and live to tell about it. sugar free Jello got me over several bumps where I just wanted to eat my fingers. I agree with Emtabulous that maybe you might want to forego the Food Network for a while.

You can do this, and you will live to tell about it. Good luck.

@@Kathy812 Your surgery date is on my birthday!

I'm almost 2 weeks post op and I totally freaked out during the pre-op diet. I just had to do 2 shakes and a healthy meal but most days I had 2 shakes and a big fat meal. Needless to say, I lost 0 pounds during my pre-op diet.

You will eat again and don't think that you'll never get a certain food again. I'm already on puree/soft foods and haven't had an issue with anything I've tried so far. Except oddly, the Protein shakes give me a little belly ache now.

Personally I think getting stuffed like Thanksgiving dinner off of 2 oz of food is cool as heck. Imagine, you can lose weight without ever being hungry again. It's truly an amazing thing. All we have to do is make healthy choices and exercise.

Emtabulous,

My date is 10/20 as well! I did have a bit of a freak out and splurged on some things I knew I wouldn't be able to have for a long time. I agree- food commercials are the worst! I'm on day 3 of my 2 week liquid diet and I have to look away from the tv when they come on lol..

A trick my NUT gave to us in our class was rate your food on a scale from 0-10. 0 being wouldn't it on a deserted island, 10 being your most fav food ever (could eat a whole pan/container/tray of it). She said stay away from 0-3 & 8-10. Pick your 5- something you would eat and not go back for seconds. For me that is shrimp. So when my head hunger is getting the best of me, I figure out if I am hungry enough to eat shrimp. The answer is usually no, and that helps me quite a bit. Seems silly sometimes I know, but hey if it works right?

@@Kathy812 Your surgery date is on my birthday!

I'm almost 2 weeks post op and I totally freaked out during the pre-op diet. I just had to do 2 shakes and a healthy meal but most days I had 2 shakes and a big fat meal. Needless to say, I lost 0 pounds during my pre-op diet.

You will eat again and don't think that you'll never get a certain food again. I'm already on puree/soft foods and haven't had an issue with anything I've tried so far. Except oddly, the Protein shakes give me a little belly ache now.

Personally I think getting stuffed like Thanksgiving dinner off of 2 oz of food is cool as heck. Imagine, you can lose weight without ever being hungry again. It's truly an amazing thing. All we have to do is make healthy choices and exercise.

Lexie Happy early birthday! Your post &Mismac's post really helped me today. I'm feeling a little out of sorts on this diet. I got really light headed today so broke down & ate a salad (veggies only) w/very little dressing figure its healthy & I'm still losing weight. Man do I love this website!

I start my pr-op diet on Monday 13th. Two shakes a day and sensible Protien and veggie. I'm excited and just can't hardly believe it will be here the 27th!

Just hoping I'm in better shape on Halloween. My 9 grandchildren and moms dads will be here to trick or treat, I have the better neighborhood.

Also they come early for pizza, we love it. Just hoping grandma is feeling up to it.

I've been cursing whoever came up with the liquid diet today! I was soooo hungry! This is only day 3 and surgery is 10/14. When I get that hungry, I try to drink a bunch of Water. It's hard, but it will all be worth it right!? (I would LOVE to get some good ideas for what to do with/for broth! I'm already sick of it!)

Karen

At least with shakes you can add flavoring to switch it up. At least the liquid diets are getting us ready for post-op!

One day closer to healthy new us!