Greetings all,

I am about to start my two week pre op liquid diet tomorrow. I just finished a fair well steak and oysters with my family. I’ve been drinking protein shakes for breakfast and lunch for about a month but as of tomorrow it’s three meals a day. I have a few misc questions as I get closer.

1. Should I get a scale for weighing food at home until I can visually know correct portion sizes? Any other suggestions for portion sizing?

2. What about measuring cups for tracking water intake? Anyone find this useful?

3. What phone apps would you recommend for either tracking Weightloss, caloric intake, or eating / drinking reminders?

Another question which maybe more suitable for a separate post but what the heck: I have had some depression and anxiety in the past (not food or weight related) and although I’ve been free of this for around 2 years I’m nervous about the surgery and metabolic change triggering an imbalance and reoccurrence. Anyone have any thoughts / first hand experience with any of this kind of thing?

Thanks to all.

We did a "food funeral" for about a week also, it was great.

As far as the scale, i wouldn't unless you REALLY want to keep right at that right portion. I did just a shake in the AM, my snack of half apple, next shake at lunch and I did just what looked like four ounces of meat. I even did McDonalds, Wendys plain burgers (sucks without the buns) but two of them is about four ounces and I wound up loosing about 18 pounds for the two weeks. I got to the second week and honestly just stuck to shakes for all three meals. I got tired of the burgers.

For water just get a 32oz bottle and fill it twice for the day and your done. That's your 64oz. If that much water is hard, use the Mio or Sugar Free Crystal Light, or even Decaf Tea

For apps I use this one the Bariatricpal app and the Bariastic. Whenever I eat, drink, whatever I just input it into before doing it. Works great. And you can put in your weight everyday if you want and exercise.

Sorry you are getting some anxiety over the surgery, I get it. But your just building it up a lot in your head. For me, I have been trying to get this weight off for three years on my own, killing myself to do it and all that happens is frustration and more weight. I'm also 51 and a mother of a 12 year old boy and six year old daughter. I went into the surgery, even telling the psychologist, my doctor, nurses and the anesthesiologist, I was looking forward to the surgery, because I needed a good two hour nap without hearing, mommy, mom, mommy I had the all cracking up at the hospital. Once you go under, you wake up and it's done. It's very easy. You got this!!!

4 hours ago, march1 said:

Should I get a scale for weighing food at home until I can visually know correct portion sizes? Any other suggestions for portion sizing?

Yes ... but use it even when you think you're a good judge of foods. You'd be surprised how many people underestimate rounding off. Soon a few half-ounces or 25g of food don't get counted and you start to lose your points of reference.

4 hours ago, march1 said:

measuring cups for tracking Water intake?

I tend to use a standard sized water bottle or liquids container and record it straight away in my food diary.

But, a measuring cup is perfect for some people. Your decision.

4 hours ago, march1 said:

3. What phone apps would you recommend for either tracking Weightloss, caloric intake, or eating / drinking reminders?

MY FITNESS PAL (website AND also a phone/tablet APP).

http://www.myfitnesspal.com

You can also set your iPhone or Android Reminder Dairy or Clock Alarm with a rota of reminders of drinking and eating times.

My surgery is on 12/28/17 as well! Started the pre-op diet today!

I didn't bother with a food scale because i feel like it would stress me out more then it would help me.

My dietitian and surgeon said they wanted me to consume a maximum of 1000 calories a day.

So far today I've had

Breakfast: Protein Shake

No morning snack ( but if i needed one I have a low fat yogurt plain)

Lunch: Sugar free jello pudding, and a yogurt / cottage cheese depending on what i want.

Afternoon snack: Protein Shake to get me to dinner

Dinner: 1 half cup of chicken broth with sugar free jello and a sugar free Popsicle

I love the app my fitness pal and it tracks the calories you've consumed for the day! I've been using it for years!

8 hours ago, Brittanyblue said:

I didn't bother with a food scale

Okay for the time being but you will probably need one four to six weeks post-op ... when you need to measure amounts of meat and other ingredients.

It'll help you account for the calories you're allowed.

Good luck.

On ‎12‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 11:57 PM, march1 said:

Greetings all,

I am about to start my two week pre op liquid diet tomorrow. I just finished a fair well steak and oysters with my family. I’ve been drinking Protein Shakes for Breakfast and lunch for about a month but as of tomorrow it’s three meals a day. I have a few misc questions as I get closer.

1. Should I get a scale for weighing food at home until I can visually know correct portion sizes? Any other suggestions for portion sizing?

2. What about measuring cups for tracking Water intake? Anyone find this useful?

3. What phone apps would you recommend for either tracking Weightloss, caloric intake, or eating / drinking reminders?

Another question which maybe more suitable for a separate post but what the heck: I have had some depression and anxiety in the past (not food or weight related) and although I’ve been free of this for around 2 years I’m nervous about the surgery and metabolic change triggering an imbalance and reoccurrence. Anyone have any thoughts / first hand experience with any of this kind of thing?

Thanks to all.

Good luck and welcome to the other side (almost). To answer your first 3 questions, yes get a food scale. It will be a life line for quite some time, I still measure stuff if I'm unsure though I can pretty much eye a plate and see where I'm at now. I used measuring cups for everything early out. If it was liquid, I measured it. I also got 2 ounce disposable cups with lids and would put my food in those and store it in the fridge.

As for the phone app I've been using the Baritastic App since day 1 and I love it. It's designed for people who have had WLS.

The anxiety/depression I cannot help with but maybe talk to your doctor who manages your medications, if you are on any, or a therapist/psychologist if you see one regularly.

18 hours ago, Rainbow_Warrior said:

Okay for the time being but you will probably need one four to six weeks post-op ... when you need to measure amounts of meat and other ingredients.

It'll help you account for the calories you're allowed.

Good luck.

Maybe I will get one, but i'm vegetarian so I really don't have to worry about the meat problem! Do you know how expensive they are?

8 hours ago, Brittanyblue said:

Do you know how expensive they are?

Expensive?

We are referring to a small kitchen scale which either (a) measures to one kilogram in grams (or half-grams) or (b) able to measure to two or three pounds to the nearest quarter of an ounce ... right?

They range from a generic brand at House & Garden or K-Mart for under $10 up to a Salter model at $17 to $19 or a German Soehnle for $25.

I must be okay financially as I could easily afford the Soehnle but decided on the Salter. My Salter cost me about $11 in 2005 and still does a great job. My mother-in-law likes her Soehnle and it has a huge clear digital readout.

Mine has auto-switch off and needs two AA batteries every 2-3 years (and it is in use nearly 20 times per week.

The mother-in-law's takes one of those "coin"-like batteries every 6-7 months. Hers also has auto shut-off.

- - -

I'm sorry if you think that these are expensive. Considering the accuracy and the job they do, I think that they are quite fairly-priced.