Please don't hate on whoever answers this! I have followed it to a T (I'm currently on day 5 of 14) -- with a few exceptions. Last night I had a small piece of cheese and Saturday night I took a small crumb of a Panera baguette and ate it with a drop of broth. Also, my surgeon allows Life Saver gummies - I couldn't find them so I got some Sweet Tart gummy bunnies. I still had some - but gave the rest to my sister's kids.

I just want to know that 1) I'm not alone 2) I'll still be okay!

Thanks, Sleevers

Edited March 16, 201511 yr by deetz71

Where my husband and I are going they don't require to do the pre-op diet. Just two day liquid diet before surgery.

Hello,

Ok, everyone. My surgery was cancelled because I had fever yesterday. My new surgery date is now three weeks from now. Am I making everyone happy when I promise to follow the Protein shake diet 100% from now on? And not only will I follow it for 14 days, but I am actually starting today.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Every doctor group is different. Mine required 1 week of liquids for everyone and 2 weeks for people with conditions indicating a fatty liver problem. The most current research that I am aware of indicates that 2 weeks of liquid is just as effective as a longer period for shrinking the liver.

For those who don't know me- I am a nurse who believes in safe, individualized care, based on evidence.

Armed with this knowledge, I stuck to my one week diet without a problem. There is evidence that the diet will shrink the liver. It is a fact that a larger liver will impede surgery, and may result in an open procedure or other problems. Knowing the facts makes it a foolish choice to disregard pre-op instructions.

Since there are some people pre-op here, let me also throw out some information regarding the immediate post-op period. The big dangers after surgery are infection, bleeding, pneumonia, and blood clots. You can't do much about the first 2 but you can DO a lot to prevent pneumonia and blood clots. USE the incentive spirometer they will give you every hour while you are awake and walk as much as you possibly can. These 2 actions can speed up your recovery and possibly save your life. So do it! Oh, and walking helps clear up gas pain

I'm realizing my pre-op requirements list is pretty vague. It just says 5-6 Protein shakes a day (with recommendations on which kinds) and that "you can supplement your diet with SF, calorie-free liquids throughout the day. Liquids include: SF Jello, SF popsicles,, Crystal Light, Fruit2O, Propel, Water, decaf coffee/tea with sugar substitutes, and broth."

It doesn't specify one cup of broth, one cup of jello, etc.

I'm with you on the sweetness of the shakes. In fact, I was gagging on them, so I stopped drinking them. I craved savory.

Then I found Gene Pro. It is a suitable protien that does not thicken your liquid base, has virtually no taste, and ONE scoop, that is ONE TABLESPOON! Seriously, this stuff kicks butt. I add it to my morning yogurt. 30g of protien. I got it on Amazon.

I'm with you on the sweetness of the shakes. In fact, I was gagging on them, so I stopped drinking them. I craved savory.

Then I found Gene Pro. It is a suitable protien that does not thicken your liquid base, has virtually no taste, and ONE scoop, that is ONE TABLESPOON! Seriously, this stuff kicks butt. I add it to my morning yogurt. 30g of protien. I got it on Amazon.

To the OP, I would encourage you to do your research regarding GENEPRO before hopping on this bandwagon.

I don't start my Pre Op liquid diet until April 17th.

I am muslim and am use to fast from sunrise to sunset every year for 30 days for Ramadan. So I am making the intention of fasting during these 10 days. I will break my fast with Water and Protein shake and broth. I will try to get in all my water before I go to sleep and when I wake up before sunrise to drink a Protein Shake before fasting begins.

I am really looking at this as a time to make the changes mentally, pray, reflect, and to cleanse my body before surgery.

I'm with you on the sweetness of the shakes. In fact, I was gagging on them, so I stopped drinking them. I craved savory.

Then I found Gene Pro. It is a suitable protien that does not thicken your liquid base, has virtually no taste, and ONE scoop, that is ONE TABLESPOON! Seriously, this stuff kicks butt. I add it to my morning yogurt. 30g of protien. I got it on Amazon.

does it have an odor bc of the protein? I went through so many different brands i gagged on most till i found the pure protein shakes those were what got me through the worst part after surgery..i didn't try the brand you mentioned just wondering i have a nose of a blood hound..lol..????

I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts, thank you for honesty! I am one week into my 4 week Optifast required pre-op....doesn't seem like many others have 4 week?!

It does get better, but still hard. Not sure if it helps others, but I keep telling myself that this surgery is my choice and it will be more successful the better I can do (I ate handful of peanuts once and a pickle once - not bad in my book).

The more I remind myself this pre-op is by choice, the less I feel upset about the pre-op diet as I can take ownership instead of feeling like I'm forced to do it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm cranky at times but this shift in thinking (and going to bed early like others mention) has really helped.

I'm on day 9 of 15 for my liquid diet, and I had a few real meals when I was visiting family that I planned on and discussed with my nutritionist beforehand. I ate high protein, low carb and lost a few pounds while I was back home, which never happens.

Other than those planned divergences, I'd say I'm following my plan about 85-90%. Maybe I'm just justifying my behavior, but I think in terms of "cheating" I haven't been that bad.

For example: My plan allows for sugar free, fat free yogurt. I found said the artificial sweeteners really made me feel more hungry, so instead I have been having regular Greek yogurt. The difference of ~40 calories a day is worth it to me.

I've also been getting chicken soup broth from delis instead of having the plain canned broth, which tastes bad to me. I have been finding an occasional piece of chicken or small vegetables in the broth, and I've been eating them. I don't eat any stray noodles.

I gave up soda during my 3 month supervised diet, but I've been drinking some diet, caffeine free soda the past few days. It makes me feel full and the carbonation helps keep my stomach from growling at night.

Finally, my plan calls for 3-4 shakes per day. Once or twice I've only had 2. Once I hit my post-op protein goal of 75 grams, I don't stress the third shake too much.

So there you have it. My pre-op liquid diet confessional. Now that I'm just a week away from surgery (eeeeeee!) I'll run a tighter ship, but I'm (obviously) not beating myself up about the cheats.

Tomorrow will be 1 week away from surgery and I will begin my pre-op diet. As far as broths are you making your own or is it store bought?

I made my own broth, but chill it and scoop off the chicken fat before you eat it.

I love reading everyone's responses. I started my pre-op diet on the 18th and I have been "mostly" good.

I was told 2 high protien shakes/day and one no carb, low fat meal consisting of a lean protien and non-startchy veggies. I can have SF Jello and "if needed" a small 100 calorie pack of almonds or a small apple. Well of course I "need" them everyday at 3:30 pm.

My cheats have been adding larger portions of veggies and protiens. I have not broken and touched a carb throughout. My surgery (SADI-Loop) is scheduled on April 1st (yep, April Fool's Day - not sure if that is a good thing or not). I am dealing a lot with head hunger which I think is related to stress and worry about the upcoming surgery, post surgery and family. I'm finding I am more of an emotional eater than I thought I was.

Is the preop diet to shrink your liver? The docs ive talked to only require 3 day prep. Just wondering what does the prepping prepare your body for

100% although I only had to do it for 3 days so I was pretty fortunate. Post surgery I follow the plan 100% too!