Pre-Surgery Diet - Advice/Motivation Please!

[AEdoesRnY 531]

Hello! My surgery is scheduled for July 30 (eeeek! yay!!), and I'm starting my pre-surgery liquid diet/"liver reducing" diet on Monday!

As many of you know, it's a pretty limited list of what I can eat and how many calories I can eat. I go back and forth between feeling like I can do anything for two weeks and feeling daunted and nervous about actually sticking to it. I'm trying to do my grocery planning/shopping this weekend so I can really hit the ground running on Monday, so I wanted to check in with those more experienced than I to see if there were any tips/suggestions/etc. for how best to prepare and stay motivated throughout the two weeks!

Just curious if there was a product that was a "life saver" or essential for you in the pre-surgery period, or a habit or tool you used that made a big difference for you, or something you wish you'd done/known going into the pre-surgery diet and going into surgery in general!

Thank you in advance!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Good luck on your surgery!

My life saver was sugar-free Jello, especially when you got to Clear Liquids. If you eat it without chewing well, it slides down to your stomach just fine, but it takes a while to break down. So, you don't feel so "empty".

Others have mentioned chewing on ice, and freezing Protein Shakes (in a bowl) to give them a more solid texture.

[SueperGal 92]

@Herewego2018 Congratulations! I remember how excited/terrified I was when I finally got the call to start my two week pre op. I too had a very limited diet that consisted mostly of Protein Shakes with a few sugar free additions, like Jello and popsicles. Shopping this weekend is a great plan!

Drinking more Water can definitely help. I blended my Premier Protein shakes with a few cubes of ice to make it thicker. I set times for when I would eat to make sure it was spaced throughout the day so I was not super hungry at night. I did not go out to restaurants during the two weeks and tried to leave the room if my husband had any super yummy smelling food. I also tried to find other activities to help fill my time, like chores, video games, boardgames, puzzles, short walks, naps, etc. If you are doing mostly Protein shakes, you may want check and see if you can take Colace or something similar for Constipation. Not everyone has that issue though.

My want to cheat did not go away, but I made a commitment to myself to just make it through this meal, make it through today, make it through tomorrow, make it through this week, and so on. It can be difficult at times, so stay strong, YOU GOT THIS!! Everyone says it, but it really does go by faster than you think.

[Jodi1980 63]

@Herewego2018 Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I am on the 2 week -pre op diet as well. My surgery is July 25th. I can tell you Syntrax Nectar is some pretty decent tasting Protein Shakes. I believe the cheapest is actually bariatric pal. I've been updating my profile status with updates of how each taste. I ordered the variety samples (17 FLAVORS) and some have been "meh", and some are very tasty...but to each, his own.

I also have had the pure Protein Bars. They are very good! The chocolate caramel is delish! As for the clear diet post op, my hospital included a grocery list in my weight program book. If you want me to share, I can. Best of luck to you!

[doingitforme18 26]

9 hours ago, Herewego2018 said:

Hello! My surgery is scheduled for July 30 (eeeek! yay!!), and I'm starting my pre-surgery liquid diet/"liver reducing" diet on Monday!

As many of you know, it's a pretty limited list of what I can eat and how many calories I can eat. I go back and forth between feeling like I can do anything for two weeks and feeling daunted and nervous about actually sticking to it. I'm trying to do my grocery planning/shopping this weekend so I can really hit the ground running on Monday, so I wanted to check in with those more experienced than I to see if there were any tips/suggestions/etc. for how best to prepare and stay motivated throughout the two weeks!

Just curious if there was a product that was a "life saver" or essential for you in the pre-surgery period, or a habit or tool you used that made a big difference for you, or something you wish you'd done/known going into the pre-surgery diet and going into surgery in general!

Thank you in advance!

sugar free popscicles!!

[BostonWLKC 806]

Definitely premiere Protein shakes— blended with ice cubes to make them last longer and more filling . sugar free popsicles tame the need for sweets ! Still do post op :)

You’ve got this— it’s amazingly worth it!

[browneyez42 280]

Hello! My surgery is scheduled for July 30 (eeeek! yay!!), and I'm starting my pre-surgery liquid diet/"liver reducing" diet on Monday!
As many of you know, it's a pretty limited list of what I can eat and how many calories I can eat. I go back and forth between feeling like I can do anything for two weeks and feeling daunted and nervous about actually sticking to it. I'm trying to do my grocery planning/shopping this weekend so I can really hit the ground running on Monday, so I wanted to check in with those more experienced than I to see if there were any tips/suggestions/etc. for how best to prepare and stay motivated throughout the two weeks!
Just curious if there was a product that was a "life saver" or essential for you in the pre-surgery period, or a habit or tool you used that made a big difference for you, or something you wish you'd done/known going into the pre-surgery diet and going into surgery in general!
Thank you in advance!

Sugar free popsicles!



Sleeved on April 25, 2018
HW: 258
SW: 238
CW: 216
GW: 165

[Cat B 30]

I love the chicken broth and the sf popsicles!! I wasn't put on a calorie restriction. I was told to have as much as I want. I have been making a "meal" of it though. I have my whey Protein Shake or the Premier Protein with broth and a few of the jellos. It makes my stomach feel like I really ate something. You know what I mean?

Good luck with your Pre Op diet, stay strong, and walk away from good, smelling food! Just saying! Lol!