Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Pre-op Diet! successes? struggles?



Recommended Posts

So my surgery is scheduled for April 6th! (ah! its coming up quick & I'm super excited & nervous :rolleyes: !!) and so Monday I started my 2 week pre-op diet. It consists of 3-4 Protein Shakes a day and one meal with 4 oz Protein, 1/2 cup starch, and a veggie. Ive read a ton online about the different diets people are told to follow, or that some dont have a pre-op diet at all! So I just wanted to hear peoples experience with it I guess. Im on day two & I'm struggling a little bit, but am trying to follow the diet strictly! I need to get used to fitting in a lot more Water in my diet for sure! How has everyone else done on their pre-op diets?!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My pre-op diet was high Protein, low carb in order to "shrink" my liver. My surgeon said he does that to make finding the stomach easier and reduces the risk of "accidentally" nicking the liver during surgery. I only had to do one week, but every surgeon is different. I didn't need to do Protein shakes, just keep my meals/snacks high Protein.

I admit that I didn't do that great on my pre-op diet, but had no surgical complications. I think some surgeons actually want patients to lose weight during the pre-op diet before they will do the surgery. Luckily, my surgeon wasn't that strict since I didn't loose a pound that week.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Katie,

We have the same surgery date and it looks like the same pre-op diet. I did great the first day, yesterday I had a piercing headache all day long. I have a bit of a headache now. I think this is because I was a diet soda addict before. I am realizing how awful my diet used to be and how much better I believe I will feel once I get back to eating healthy and once some of this weight comes off.

I'm right here supporting you. :-)

-Melissa

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was only allowed 4 Protein Shakes , SF Jello, SF popsicles, and broth. It gets easier as time passes. I never cheated. Just stay strong and motivated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have the same date and started my pre-op diet Monday as well. Generally, I have to keep the carbs under 100 grams, no sugar, no fruit. It's 3 - 4 Protein shakes a day, and non-starchy vegetables, broth, cream Soups, plain yogurt, sf popsicles. I can have up to 6 ounces of chicken or fish once each week. The NUT said that salad with regular (not fat-free - too many carbs) dressing. I too had the piercing headache on the second day because of caffeine withdrawal. The NUT said that a little caffeine from tea was okay, but definitely none after surgery. So I bought some crystal light iced tea, and I put a little in my Water. Trying to taper down to no caffeine next week. It's not easy, but I've been mixing one scoop of Protein powder with plain Greek yogurt for dinner. It's pretty filling (and about 40g protein) and helps with the cravings. Good luck!

Heidi

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am totally struggling on my pre-op diet. I feel really hungry. I am supposed to be eating under 1500 cals a day. I don't know if it's true hunger or just because I know I can't have certain things but it's been difficult. 4 days and counting til d-day. lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine is under 800 calories a day. Two shakes, then 2-3 cups of raw veggies with 4oz lean Protein. I'm not a huge eater and have been hungry! I've added a bit of cheese, yogurt, salsa, guacamole, bacon bits, hummus to the huge salads while still doing the gym. Surgery is Monday! I think the diet is 90% to get you used to it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There were healthy (and less healthy) Desserts for our staff meeting at work today. So tempting, but I just munched on my salad and drank my Protein Shake and pictured my healthier self after surgery. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My pre-op diet is 2 Protein shakes and 1 meal with 3oz of lean Protein, 1/2 cup of starches, 1/2 cup of vegetables.

My doctor only requires it for 1 week, but I started a week early just in case I had trouble adjusting to it. Had a headache for 4 days straight and was really hungry. Didn't cheat though. Thanking myself now because I'm 9 days in and I feel much better... not craving anything either.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm scheduled April 7, started my pre op diet on Monday which consists of 3 or 4 Protein Shakes mixed with almond milk or skim milk, then clear liquids only! SF Jello, SF Popsicles, chicken broth Water and all the crystal light I can stand. I wonder why the variations in all the diets, because right about now I would love 2 ounces of chicken!

That is what I am on :) - I want the one where I can eat chicken and veggies !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing great.

My surgery is 2 weeks from today - April 10. I started my Pre-Op diet today. My diet consists of 2 Protein shakes + 1 healthy meal (4-6 oz. of lean meat plus 1 cup of non-starchy, green veggies) with 1 cup of fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries or apple) and either 1 sf popcicle or sf Jello per day for a snack. I can also have coffee, tea, broth and sf drinks like Crystal Lite, etc. and lots of Water.

I felt loopy today, in the afternoon, and realized that it was the same way I felt before, a few years ago, when I made the switch to low-carb eating. It was rough for about 3 days, then I felt a lot better and even got a little extra energy. So, holding out for Day 4. LOL

I'm going to bed early tonight. I remember my nutritionist at True Results telling me to just go to bed early, after my last Protein shake or snack, when I went on the pre-op diet.

Good luck everyone! I'll post back in a couple of days. Hopefully, I'll feel much better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I've been following my pre-op diet for 6 days. I have 3 - 4 Protein Shakes a day, non-starchy veggies, low-fat cream Soup, and plain yogurt (I usually mix Protein Powder with plain Greek yogurt for my last Protein shake). I can have sf popsicles and Jello. And 4 - 6 ounces of lean chicken or fish once each week. My calories have been between 1000 - 1200 every day, carbs less than 75g (have to be less than 100g), and protein at least 80g. The NUT said the one to really watch was the carbs, so I have. I was doing okay, but for the last 2 days I am so tired and achy. I know I'm not getting sick, because I have no other symptoms. Anyone else experience something similar? I'm drinking my Water, and planning to email the NUT, but probably won't hear anything until Monday. Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×