My Pre-Op diet had a bit of a rocky start. It was supposed to start on Labor Day and my wife convinced me that one day wouldn't make a difference and to be fair, it didn't take much convincing on her part.

So I started on Tuesday, but I messed up again. As they say, if you fail to plan you plan to fail. I had some Protein shakes that a body builder friend of mine gave me so I figured, "Hey, why waste money when you can use what you've got?" and I used them, but in the middle of the day I noticed they were 300 calories vs the 160 calories in the Protein shake my nutritionist suggested. They had a lot more protein but after speaking to my nutritionist, I decided to go to costco and pick up a few things after work including the RTD (Ready To Drink) shakes they sell, specifically the Premier Protein brand which come out to only $1.39 each. They have chocolate, strawberry and vanilla and at 160 calories they have 30g of protein. These weren't on the list my nutritionist gave me, but I provided her with the nutritional facts and she approved of them.

After work yesterday I went to Costco to get the shakes, but I also wanted to get those Tyson pre-cooked frozen chicken breasts so I can quickly and conveniently toss one in the microwave for my meals. I was disappointed to find that my Costco no longer carries them. I filled out a suggestion card and went to Smart & Final and they didn't have them either, but they did have pre-cooked frozen chicken breasts cut into strips which is close enough. I prefer the breast to be whole so it doesn't dry out as much, but I'll take what I can get. I also picked up some baby spinach and when I finally got home, I heated up some of the chicken and sauteed the spinach in a teaspoon of coconut oil and minced garlic and it was great. I prefer olive oil, but I'm trying to be good and there was no coconut taste.

Yesterday I felt like I was starving all day and today I'm doing much better, but I'm still hungry. I'm due for my 2nd shake about now. I try to wait as long as I can before I drink them so they will last me until dinner.

Hopefully I can stick to the plan the rest of the way and my early slip ups won't make that much of a difference. I have a feeling I'll lose closer to 20 pounds than the 10 my nutritionist was hoping for.

How are all of you doing on your pre-op diets? What cool tricks have you learned? What tips or suggestions can you offer to make sticking to the plan easier? What experiences or challenges have you run into? How did you overcome them?

I can't wait to learn more from you all.

So Radar u dont have to do a 2 week liquid diet??

So Radar u dont have to do a 2 week liquid diet??

They told me week 1 is 2 Protein shakes and 1 meal of only 3-4 ounces of lean meat and gave me a list of all I can eat veggies. Starting on Monday it's only protein shakes until my surgery on the 21st. I wasn't told to do Clear Liquids or anything like that.

That sounds slot easier than the clear liquid diet

Started my pre op liquid diet only on wed. It has not gone very well first day was a piece of delicious cake. Second day I had a candy bar it was fun sized but still... Next day no cheats. Yesturxay I had bacon...today derailed pretty far its the hardest when I'm home no more cheating for me. I feel like a failure. I hope they still do the surgery for me idk if I can keep up

The beginning of the pre op diet is the worst. On day 2 1/2 I thought I wanted to cry because I was so hungry. Then on days 3 and 4 I had the WORST headache. Day 5 was a magical and wonderful day. I woke up to no headache and no longer seemed hungry. From there it really does get easier.

We all mess up a bit. I was at an event over the weekend and decided to just carry a glass of wine around so people would stop offering. It seemed like a good plan but twice I found myself sipping it. I felt guilty but it tasted so good haha.

Just try to stay focused and not be too hard on yourself. These are life long habits we have created and they can't be changed instantly.

That sounds slot easier than the clear liquid diet

I checked again. It's Clear liquids the day before surgery.

Started my pre op liquid diet only on wed. It has not gone very well first day was a piece of delicious cake. Second day I had a candy bar it was fun sized but still... Next day no cheats. Yesturxay I had bacon...today derailed pretty far its the hardest when I'm home no more cheating for me. I feel like a failure. I hope they still do the surgery for me idk if I can keep up

I have had a few slips too, but remember it's not how many times you fall that matters. It only matters how many times you get up and if you get up just one more time than you fall, you will accomplish anything.

I'm on day 5 of my pre-op - and still don't know if my insurance is going to approve. Surgery is tentative for 9/24.

@@Radar, how are you handling the issue with your wife and her support of your dietary restrictions? I know that has to be frustrating. Yesterday, we stopped by the butcher to buy our bulldogs some bones and I told my husband to get something for himself for dinner. He got a nice, thick, juicy steak. I wanted that steak like nobody's business. He saw how much it pained me to not share it with him and said he'll only grill when I'm at work (he's on duty on midnights so he can have all the steak he wants for lunch). I think after last night, he'll stick to eating only foods I don't like when we're home together.

I had a dream last night that I was at my mom's house for a dinner. She was in her room, so I loaded my plate with french fries and mashed potatoes. When she came out, I snuck into her living room to finish so she wouldn't see me. Funny though - because when I get approved and tell my mom about the surgery, she'll be 100% supportive. Obesity runs in our family. My mom has worked hard to get down to her size 8. She gets it.

My wife is behind me emotionally but I can't expect her to change her lifestyle just because I am. It would be unfair for me to even ask. I will be surrounded by people eating foods I can no longer eat for the rest of my life. I should get used to it now.

She has offered to tske time off work to care for me but I told her not to because I will having unpaid time off and because the nurse was very clesr with me about this not being a time to convalesce. I have to keep moving because I need to be back at work in 1 week no matter what.

Edited September 15, 201510 yr by Radar

@@Radar, like you, I too feel we'll be around people who don't have to watch their food intake. I'd rather be comfortable around them than expect differently. But during this liquid diet, it SUCKS to be sitting next to my husband with his Porterhouse. At least until I cannot physically eat it, it sure would be better to not have to smell it.

Good point about not using the time to convalesce. Get up and get going, right? My husband works midnights, so he'll be home with me every day and only gone when I sleep. And I'm pretty sure he's off duty for 4 days after my expected surgery date. You have less than a week to go!!

I met with the surgeon yesterday, and I got a date for 10/19/15. The only pre-op diet he told me to do was not eat after Breakfast the day before the surgery -- clear liquids only. I was pretty shocked, because everyone talks about doing 2 weeks liquid pre-op. I'm already drinking Protein shakes for breakfast, so I guess I will just do that and eat sensibly.

I met with the surgeon yesterday, and I got a date for 10/19/15. The only pre-op diet he told me to do was not eat after breakfast the day before the surgery -- clear liquids only. I was pretty shocked, because everyone talks about doing 2 weeks liquid pre-op. I'm already drinking Protein shakes for breakfast, so I guess I will just do that and eat sensibly.

My surgeon said that if you are getting laproscopic surgery then they need to lift the liver out of the way during the surgery and it will bleed and crack if you don't follow the two week liquid pre-op diet and may cause additional issues. He said prior to having people do the liquid diet for two weeks, they had people with more complications.

Mine said the liver acquires fat and gets larger and harder and they can't lift it to work under it. The liquid diet shrinks the liver so they have easier access to work.

I just ate Chinese food ???????? I have 7 more days. Wtf why can't I just stick to the freakn diet. Maybe I'm not ready 4 The surgery if I can't commit.

I slipped as well had a small pork lo mein >_< and some chicken on Saturday I think? /: just try to keep to the diet!! You can do it! ????????