I can't believe it's here but I'm starting the pre op diet in 3 days. It lasts 2 weeks. I think someone here said to drink or eat something every 1.5 hours and I'm going to take that advice.

Weird thing is that I'm terrified of being hungry. Absolutely terrified. Makes me think about how I've been eating all these years...defensively against hunger instead of waiting to be hungry. Also, why am I so afraid to be hungry, to be uncomfortable?

It will be rough for probably about 3 or 4 days but you CAN do it. You raise a very good question in this post Why are any of us so afraid of being hungry? I don't know but I can tell you that one of the most important things I have learned along the way was from a post I read here that talked about the fact that it is okay to be hungry sometimes. I won't die if I get hungry and don't eat right away. In fact, nothing bad will happen if I'm hungry for a little while. Fortunately, I read that prior to having to do my liquid diet almost a year ago so every time I got hungry during those first few days, I reminded myself "It's okay to be hungry. This is part of the process that is going to make me healthy and healthy is more important." After the first couple of days, the hunger and cravings began to subside and by the end of day 4, I was having to remind myself that I NEEDED to drink another one of those MRP shakes. That thought process also came in handy during the months after I was banded until I reached the green zone.

Hang in there...this is the hard part. Remember...you do get to eat a little something. I put the veggies into the broth so it was more than just liquid. The post op diet is also challenging but once you start on the mushies and eventually go to regular food again, the chances are good that you will have gotten over the worst part of it. Good luck, and hope to see you next week at the support group meeting.

Good luck on your end. I started my pre diet this past Friday and so far so good, I believe you will be surprised at the lack of hunger that you might feel. Friday am my weight was 298 to 290 so that great to see and very encouraging. I know much is water but a great boost. I have been doing 5 shakes a day and 6.5 oz of chicken on my little grill so far that has helped with the solid food cravings. Last night on my date with my wife and daughter we did a movie early and stopped a noodle company after while they had the normal I had the side of 3.5 oz of chicken and 6 sautéed shrimp total calories of 180. While I've only been on this journey a short time the trip looks very short when I think about the days to come without knee and back pain, high blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Can't wait to get back to doing things that I enjoy so much like mountain biking and being more active then most 54 year olds. Good luck!

I start mine Wednesday. Mine is only for a week tho. I am also nervous about how i will adjust to all liquids. I have surgery on the 29th. Good luck in your journey.

The pre op diet surprisingly is not as bad. I was on a 2 weeks shakes diet, it was hard at first but tolerable it got a lot easier after the 3rd day. The shakes fill you up, so I never fought against that hungry feeling it was more of fighting against the will to snack.

Good luck on your journey.

I'm nervous too started today pre op surgery. So far this morning I had a Protein shake & add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and almond milk for Breakfast and for lunch organic squash Soup...I'm still semi-hungry. Any suggestions to help me get through the next 13 days?

My doctor has me on 4-6 shakes a day with 6 oz of lean meat to replace one of those meals and so far I'm comfortable. Hungry is going to be there I believe for the first few days but getting use to the adjustment from carbohydrates and depletion of glycogen stored to the body and moving to consuming body fat instead (Ketosis) usually takes about 4 days so it gets easier ... at least that is what I've been told. Good Luck

Pre op liquid diet starts today. Feeling nervous but excited too. Surgery next Wednesday.

My favorite shakes is the Atkins mocha coffee. Not too sweet.

My nut told us to.stay away from atkins.

@@machinedoc1

"...when I think about the days to come without knee and back pain, high blood pressure and cholesterol medication... "

Seven months post op here and gone are my knee and back pain, cholesterol med and one of two BP meds. The dream is real, my friend.

Edited October 23, 201411 yr by JustWatchMe

Lissa... I just checked the nutritional amounts. It's kind of high in fat. Prob why tastes so good!!! I will check out premier. Thanks for the heads up!

Briefs199 no problem. The premier is good. I also like the pure protein.

I sent hubbie to Costco and he got the premier. It's serviceable.

My pre-op starts in 2 days... (Wow, saying that makes it seem very real, and very soon!)

The nutritionist at my surgeon's office (NYU Langone Medical Center - I'll mention it in case there are any others in the NYC area) recommended GNC's Total Lean (ready to drink) shakes. I've tried the Vanilla and Strawberry and they're pretty good. I've drank a few over the past week, because I like the taste, but I am worried about 5 of them sufficiently filling me up. I tried the powder equivalent and it was gross! I ordered a bunch online including Banana Cream and Swiss Chocolate, which all had good reviews online.

I had asked my surgeon about whether people took off work during pre-op due to having low energy from the low cal diet. She said (like many here who have been through it), that most people don't find it too bad, and she said I'll have lots of energy while I'm losing weight. I guess I will see in 2 days!

She also said that doing the pre-op diet makes surgery a lot safer, and if someone doesn't follow it properly and their liver doesn't shrink, then they might not be able to do the surgery laparoscopically, and they'll have to cut you open all the way (now this is just *my* surgeon talking) - this will make it easier for me to stick with it tho!