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Trying to change before surgery. Help

crawford8903

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crawford8903    33

crawford8903
Posted

I'm trying to start changing how I eat before surgery, my first consult is approaching. I just turned all my new patient information and I feel defeated already! I feel like I'm never going to change how I'm eating, please help me. How did some of you all make changes and fight the temptation?

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laceemouse    631

laceemouse
Posted

I just had surgery on Halloween and I honestly don't know how people cheat. Just getting in my Protein Shakes and Water every day is a struggle. I don't feel hungry at all. I have no cravings. And the fear of getting a leak or rupturing something keeps me from trying anything not approved. Don't get my wrong, I know eventually I will heal up and be able to eat more variety and volume, I will just do my best to never add back the bad stuff. Right now I am determined to be successful. I don't want to have had major surgery for nothing.

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Rocks_Wife    6

Rocks_Wife
Posted

Don't make anything cauliflower. I tried to make cauliflower pizza and OMG!!! It's horrible. I can't get the smell out of my nose or the house. I'm terrified I can't change. They said get Baritastic Surgery for dummies.

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ShelterDog64    2,364

ShelterDog64
Posted

It can be pretty overwhelming...what type of diet does your patient information suggest? Are you encouraged to eat high Protein, low carb, low fat? All of those?

I didn't have an official pre-op diet that I had to follow, but I cleaned up my eating in the month or two before surgery. I cut out Desserts entirely and eliminated the few sodas I drank. I stopped eating any chips, pretzels, crackers, etc. I stopped eating Bagels, muffins and most bread. I tried to focus on Protein, whole grain carbs and fresh vegetables and fruits. I ate dairy, but quit buying low/no fat versions at the suggestion of one of my dietitians.

It wasn't as hard as I expected and it made the transition to post-op life much easier.

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blizair09    3,250

blizair09
Posted

I decided when I began my six-month, insurance-required diet program that I was going to work to lose as much weight as possible before the surgery. I followed a low-carb/high protein/high healthy fat diet (less than 20 grams of carbs per day -- most days less than 15 grams), starting at 2000 calories per day and whittling down to 1800, 1500, and settling at 1200 calories per day for the last 3 months of the 6.

I weighed 397 pounds (at 6'0") on March 21, and I lost 99 pounds by the day of surgery on September 28, weighing 298 when they wheeled me back to the OR. But even better than the weight loss itself, I re-established my relationship with food and got myself in the mindset to be successful post-op.

It is the very best thing I ever did for myself, and I am convinced that it was partially responsible for my almost seamless recovery and my continued weight loss post-op. (I've stayed low carb throughout my food stages post-op, and I've lost 34 pounds since the surgery for a 133 pound loss total.)

Take advantage of this time and get started now. You will not regret it!!

Good luck!

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Rocks_Wife    6

Rocks_Wife
Posted

@@ShelterDog64 I love Mountain Dew. That's my biggest problem. I have only 2 cans a day. One in the morning and one at night. I was looking for a councilor for eating disorders. I've died 3 times and I've had 38 surgeries so far. While I was in the nursing home for a year they wouldn't feed me for 6 months and I starved. I panic when I get hungry. I'm learning to calm down.

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ShelterDog64    2,364

ShelterDog64
Posted

Where do you live? I'm in Arizona. I know a girl that lost 250 pounds and she eats junk just in smaller portions.

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I just hate seeing that there are people who manage to lose weight eating junk. One thing you really have to learn when you have WLS is how to fuel and nourish your body. We can't rely on the volume of food to make up for dietary problems any longer, because our volume is so low.

You have to learn where you can get the most bang for your buck protein-wise, and your focus has to be on that for the first few months at least. You have to avoid simple carbs, like sugar, flour, etc. I eat carbs every day but I get them from vegetables, fruits or rice/grains like brown rice, farro and quinoa. No white rice, mashed potatoes, bread...you can't spare the space for such nutrient-poor food. It's not second nature right away, but after a few months, I don't have to think as hard when I look at a restaurant menu or when I'm shopping for food.

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laceemouse    631

laceemouse
Posted

Did you change anything before the surgery?

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Not really. I had an easy 3 day pre-op diet. I had a headache from no caffeine for one day but it passed. I am now allowed one cup of coffee with caffeine per day but haven't added it back. Your taste buds change. Every taste and smell is amplified. I can't stand sweet (used to love it) so finding Protein shakes I can handle has been hard.

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ShelterDog64    2,364

ShelterDog64
Posted

@@ShelterDog64 I love Mountain Dew. That's my biggest problem. I have only 2 cans a day. One in the morning and one at night. I was looking for a councilor for eating disorders. I've died 3 times and I've had 38 surgeries so far. While I was in the nursing home for a year they wouldn't feed me for 6 months and I starved. I panic when I get hungry. I'm learning to calm down.

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It's not the easiest thing I've ever done, but it's not the hardest either. It sure sounds like you could use a therapist to help with the trauma from the nursing home...I can't imagine what that must have been like. Good luck to you :)

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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