I know I shouldn't be complaining but I'm starting my preop diet that is very low carb and high protein. I'm finding it very difficult. My dr wants to make sure I'm eating my protein for some reason. I'm having a hard time doing "Atkins". I might need to have some of the sf jello and drink some of the protein shakes to help me get into the "not hungry" mode. I have less than 2 weeks until surgery and I'm starting to wonder if I can do this...

Any helpful tips about doing low carb?

Cutting out carbs is hard. You will likely have headaches (I did) for a day or two. Use the SF Jello or Pudding if allowed under your plan. But, your new life will be mostly high protein and low carb. I found that carbs now make me feel sick. Eat the protein first. Use the shakes. Get creative. You can do this.

Pinterest is your friend for shake ideas. Here are a couple of my faves:

Premier Caramel pre-mixed shake, 1 cup cold coffee, 1 squirt Hershey's sugar-free syrup, Ice. Throw in a blender - you have a protein frappucino that has 130 calories, 30 grams of protein and tastes amazing.

Buy sugar free coffee house syrups. I use Torani brand. So I'll take 1/2 cup frozen pineapple, 1 cup of Fairlife Skim Milk, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder and a few squirts of sugar free coconut syrup and I have a pina colada that is about 30 grams of protein (depending on your protein powder) and about 175 calories.

Chocolate protein powder, 1 tablespoon of PB2, Squirt of Caramel SF syrup - ice and Fairlife Skim - Snickers shake - again about 30 g protein and under 200 calories.

You can do this. You got this. We got your back.

If you're having weight loss surgery then you have to get used to a high protein diet. After surgery, eating high protein will ensure you burn fat rather than muscle. As your calories are limited, you have to squeeze in as much protein as possible.

The good news is that a high protein diet isn't so bad once you get used to it. Protein tends to fill you up. It's not like say, bread or potato chips where you could eat endless amounts. There's only so much beef or chicken you can eat before you feel full.

Once you stop having so many carbs, the cravings will mostly go away. In the meantime, you can enjoy healthy fats (you can eat delicious things like cheese, avocado, peanut butter, etc). There are also lots of alternatives to the bad carbs. Zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice etc. I eat "cheeseburgers" which are just cheese and meat between lettuce leaves.

The pre-op diet sucks, but you can handle anything for two weeks! The first month or two after the surgery is rough too. Once you're back on real food, you will feel so much better.

If you're having weight loss surgery then you have to get used to a high Protein diet. After surgery, eating high protein will ensure you burn fat rather than muscle. As your calories are limited, you have to squeeze in as much protein as possible.
The good news is that a high protein diet isn't so bad once you get used to it. Protein tends to fill you up. It's not like say, bread or potato chips where you could eat endless amounts. There's only so much beef or chicken you can eat before you feel full.
Once you stop having so many carbs, the cravings will mostly go away. In the meantime, you can enjoy healthy fats (you can eat delicious things like cheese, avocado, Peanut Butter, etc). There are also lots of alternatives to the bad carbs. Zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice etc. I eat "cheeseburgers" which are just cheese and meat between lettuce leaves.
The pre-op diet sucks, but you can handle anything for two weeks! The first month or two after the surgery is rough too. Once you're back on real food, you will feel so much better.

Promise?

Definitely! I’m not going to lie, it’s really hard on the pre op diet, the post op liquid and purée diet. You have to remind yourself that these phases aren’t forever! WLS is not the easy way out! It’s not for cowards! But if you’re brave enough to take this step, it is really worth it!