Pre Op Diet Nightmare

[GeorgieDean 52]

Hi Everyone,

I attended my orientation yesterday and received my pre op nutrition guidelines. Today was my first day following it completely and I am feeling terrible. I’m weak, light headed, headache, and hungry. My psych appointment isn’t until February 26th . I know I’m doing the right thing by trying to lose weight before the appointment. However I am soo not myself. I even had to leave work early today because I I feel yukky. It’s probably a combination of caffeine withdrawals and food withdrawals... doesn’t make it any easier. This is HARD.

[Rainbow_Warrior 996]

28 minutes ago, GeorgieDean said:

Today was my first day following it completely and I am feeling terrible

Bear in mind that once you are through those first two to four days, it becomes relatively easy.

Your body is reacting to change and, as you say, there's an element of WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.

Good luck.

[PrayingForWeightLoss 340]

I would say the preop diet was the hardest part of the sleeve journey for me. However, it has been worth the struggle. It does get better after about 3-5 days when your body goes into ketosis.

[James Marusek 5,244]

When I went cold turkey on my caffeine, I suffered trough a week of severe headaches and body aches. Then I was O.K.

[DaleCruse 756]

You are not alone. Remember that pretty much everyone on this board has gone through the pre-op diet. We made it & so will you. You can do this.

[Creekimp13 5,841]

Georgie....how far are you out from your surgery? Do you have a date yet?

Edited February 3, 2018 by Creekimp13

[GeorgieDean 52]

Bear in mind that once you are through those first two to four days, it becomes relatively easy.
Your body is reacting to change and, as you say, there's an element of WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.
Good luck.

Really? Aw. You’re giving me hope.

[GeorgieDean 52]

When I went cold turkey on my caffeine, I suffered trough a week of severe headaches and body aches. Then I was O.K.

Thanks James! That’s what I am experiencing right now.

[GeorgieDean 52]

You are not alone. Remember that pretty much everyone on this board has gone through the pre-op diet. We made it & so will you. You can do this.

Thank you for the encouragement. It really helps. It’s just incredibly hard. I’m moody, I have no energy, it’s awful.

[GeorgieDean 52]

Georgie....how far are you out from your surgery? Do you have a date yet?

Hi!

I don’t have a date yet:(. I have a psych appointment on the 26th of Feb. So I’m hoping to prove to them I have the will power to do this. They said it was normal to have psych before the surgeon appointment. Hopefully after the psych appointment things will be smooth sailing... I want things to move along.

[elforman 234]

It sounds like your nutritionist should not have had you start the new plan and eating habits immediately. Remember, the stomach is elastic so it may take several days of eating less until it gets to the point where it takes less food to feel full and your body adjusts to the lower calorie intake. Going from one amount of food every day to just half that amount the next and every day after doesn't seem smart. You should be able to ramp down slowly, decreasing the amount you eat each day for four or five days until you're at the level they want for you. The same goes for caffeine, just cut down your intake gradually over a few days to help with withdrawal.

I suppose I'm lucky. I met with the surgeon for an initial consult then the nutritionist who'll supervise my three month pre-op diet three weeks later. We reviewed my current eating habits then she told me to do the following:

• Carbs only in the morning
• No soda or beer
• More Proteins and veggies at lunch and dinner
• No junk food
• Drink lots more Water
• No more than one coffee in the morning, no problem since I rarely have two

I'm not even two weeks in yet and the only thing I'm not doing is weighing myself. I'll find out how I'm doing when I go back in three weeks. She didn't set a goal for me to lose in this first month, just to do the best I can since the only person I'd be failing is myself.

[GeorgieDean 52]

It sounds like your nutritionist should not have had you start the new plan and eating habits immediately. Remember, the stomach is elastic so it may take several days of eating less until it gets to the point where it takes less food to feel full and your body adjusts to the lower calorie intake. Going from one amount of food every day to just half that amount the next and every day after doesn't seem smart. You should be able to ramp down slowly, decreasing the amount you eat each day for four or five days until you're at the level they want for you. The same goes for caffeine, just cut down your intake gradually over a few days to help with withdrawal.
I suppose I'm lucky. I met with the surgeon for an initial consult then the nutritionist who'll supervise my three month pre-op diet three weeks later. We reviewed my current eating habits then she told me to do the following:

• Carbs only in the morning
• No soda or beer
• More Proteins and veggies at lunch and dinner
• No junk food
• Drink lots more Water
• No more than one coffee in the morning, no problem since I rarely have two

I'm not even two weeks in yet and the only thing I'm not doing is weighing myself. I'll find out how I'm doing when I go back in three weeks. She didn't set a goal for me to lose in this first month, just to do the best I can since the only person I'd be failing is myself.

I haven’t met the nutritionist for a personal appointment yet, only had the orientation with the binder and they give you the nutrition plan. They said the processes is in your hands so the speed things move is up to me. So I wanted to get start. I should have gradually did it. Like first replacing dinner with their dinners... then lunches, then Breakfast. I just started doing it. I used to eat really bad, fast food once or twice a day, soda, sweets. So I know I will lose weight if I gradually start. My fear is getting declined by the Psych before I meet the surgeon.

[elforman 234]

2 minutes ago, GeorgieDean said:

My fear is getting declined by the Psych before I meet the surgeon.

While I admit I haven't had it yet, don't sweat the psych exam. Here's an excerpt from the site I linked at the bottom. Unless you're concerned that one of the bullet items applies to you, it should not be a problem. If one of those does apply to you, you likely have bigger problems than your weight.

Quote

Approximately 15 percent of the time, psychologists recommend that patients be denied for the surgery, or delay the surgery due to mental health concerns.

Patients may be denied for a variety of reasons, including:

• Suffering from undiagnosed and undertreated depression
• Demonstrating the symptoms of psychosis and bipolar disorders
• Not understanding the risks of the surgery
• Abusing drugs and alcohol within the past six months
• Attempting suicide multiple times
• Showing an inability to follow the post-operative procedures
• Exhibiting symptoms of a severe binge eating disorder
• Having an unstable social situation, such as homelessness or lack of a support system

https://www.gastricsurgeon.com/articles/the-psychological-evaluation-for-bariatric-surgery

[GeorgieDean 52]

https://www.gastricsurgeon.com/articles/the-psychological-evaluation-for-bariatric-surgery

Thank you:)

[Catama 14]

Hello, I am due to have surgery in March....started my pre-op diet but my BIG problem are those darn Protein Shakes and the after taste .....I am freakin out....I'd rather starve then drink those things!....my question is has anyone found any without artificial sweeteners...INCLUDING Stevia/ thanks