The struggle is real: The Pre-op DIet and pre-surgery jitters

[Tracy1978 113]

I am 6 days into the pre-op diet. All I want is beer and carbs. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I've done the best I can and for the most part I have kept to it.

Can anyone give me some tips on how you stayed motivated and survived the pre-op diet and the first 4 weeks post-op? What things did you do that helped you succeed? How did you prepare for social gatherings and holidays?

I know I can do this...but I have 8 days until surgery and I think I'm hitting the "freaking out" phase.

Any tips that worked for you are appreciated!

Edited July 12, 2018 by Tracy1978

[allwet 868]

hang in there Tracy.

nothing easy or fun about the pre op diet.

and the carb/sugar addiction withdrawals are crazy hard.

the better you do at getting them out of your system the easier it will be post op when you can do real damage to your wl progress if you eat those kinds of foods instead of the healthy choices you will need to make going forward.

Do the best you can and understand that it will all be worth it very soon.

day to day this time seems endless but it is a very small part of the rest of your life that you are reclaiming and you will barely remember this week a few months from now.

good luck

[Degey! 8]

Same here. I’m on day 3. I want a burger but I’m not going to cheat. I will do this.

[GeminiSky 80]

Day 4, kind of freaking out myself. Feeling tired, sluggish too, and just down right cranky....

Edited July 12, 2018 by GeminiSky

[Tracy1978 113]

After reading through these forums, I'm shocked at how much the pre-op diet varies. Some people didn't have one. Some people had to stick to small low-carb meals. Others were strictly liquid diets. The length seems to vary too. The practice I go to uses bariatrix products and they are mostly dehydrated powdered Soup envelopes with extra Protein added. I'd give anything if I could just switch to 3 small low carb low fat meals a day. What I wouldn't give just to have a salad!!

[GeminiSky 80]

@Tracy1978 God tell me about it! My pre-op is VERY strict. Im on 3 weeks liquid diet (protein shakes). 4 days in and Im just thinking holy crap! Mine seems ultra strict compared to others. 2 weeks liquid for sleeve patients and 3 weeks for bypass patients at my surgeons office.

Edited July 12, 2018 by GeminiSky

[Creekimp13 5,837]

The liquid diet sucked. Was worst than the surgery in my opinion. Wishing you all tenacity and strength....one day at a time, folks. You'll make it. One hour at a time if you have to. You'll get there. Surgery is the hump...and it's down hill from there. You'll still have a couple weeks of ghastly...but at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel after surgery. Good luck!

[Missouri-Lee's Summit 1,256]

Understanding the purpose of the pre-surgery diet helps to cement its importance in your head.

Visualizing my surgeon trying to lift my too heavy "unshrunk" liver and possibly not being able to do his job properly, was enough to convince me to not cheat. Also, and I'm not sure how often this happens, but imagine being told that your surgery had to be rescheduled because you didn't follow the diet? Then... you'd have to start the diet all over again for your new surgery date, and you wouldn't get any credit for the six days you've already invested up to this point. More co-pays might apply as well. Plus, hospitals don't just write-off a failed surgery attempt.

I should also disclose that my pre-surgery diet was only for one week, not two, so I feel a little awkward "lecturing" you about this. What do I know?!

[okayestmom 232]

I basically napped a lot. My resting heart rate dropped from 60 to 40 during the 2 week pre-op diet. mine was 2 shakes and one meal with 3 oz lean meat and one serving non-starchy vegetables. I was so hungry, I just tried to sleep through the whole thing. But I did survive and I did three weeks of liquid diet after surgery. My first bite of food was delicious! My heart rate is still low. My body is trying to hold onto the fat, I would totally be a concentration camp survivor.

[Letsgetgoing2018 448]

I found the pre op diet to be a little difficult for the first few days then it was ok. I had to do two weeks of shakes and one high Protein meal. You can do it! Keep focused on the end goal. This is being done to drink your liver for safety during surgery. Good luck!

[Ernie D 44]

PRE -OP is hard for sure. YOU GOT THIS hang in there. IF you can go do something to distract you perhaps go to a park or place where folks are coming and going and people watch. Or go to the library for a while and dive into a good book, STOP watching/using TV and Social Media its all constant food advertising.

POST OP I dont know about others BUT there were NO cravings NO Hunger. Your body is relearning itself and your brain is saying OH that is New how about this.........or hmmm not much sugar or carbs in this body ...how about that................THE WORST WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT and I mean this you will literally one day wake up and say OH MY GOD I FEEL FANTASTIC

Stay FOCUSED on better health, BETTER days ahead. we are in your corner. YOU CAN DO THIS

[piacovetto@gmail.com 25]

Surgery date is 8-22. Will do pre op starting 8-6, so it’s two weeks of liquid diet. I KNOW this will be hard and I very much appreciate all you men and women out there sharing.

I was thinking that, yes-this will be hard-I can’t imagine it’s going to be harder than living all these years with shame, rejection, humiliation, isolation, lack of clothing choices AND weight related health issues to name a few. Hard? Been there-done that.

Bring it on!!!

I’m going to be a NEW person and I’m going to love it and I’m going to have fun and go horseback riding and and and...lots of stuff!! Shop for clothes!! Run -don’t-walk on the treadmill....

Im going to stick it out and SO CAN YOU!!