Hi Everyone,

My surgery is on Nov. 10th and I have started my liquid diet. It's Day 2 and I never though I would get through Day 1 without eating my arm off! I was sooooooo hungry. I had a headache (I took tylenol) and I went to bed early to try and sleep through the hunger. I don't know how many times I opened the fridge door and stared inside. The funny thing is there is next to no food in there but ...........mannn.......I could have eaten anything!

I'm glad Day 1 is over with. I've had my first shake this morning and I'm drinking coffee and water. I am currently working from home because of the pandemic. I'm trying to keep my mind on my work but as you can see I'm here and sharing. I'm sure today will be easier than yesterday.

I'm sending positive vibes out to all of you...wherever you are in your journey. Be kind to yourself!

Here is my platitude for you: it gets better after 3-4 days. Sorry! ?

I had no energy during the two week pre-op diet, but THE HUNGER did fade after the first few days.

Hang in there. It is worth it. Positive vibes heading back at you!

My surgeon said to drink another shake if you are extremely hungry...no limits on shakes for my surgeon.

31 minutes ago, 1000islandgirl said:

The funny thing is there is next to no food in there

Not sure if this was on purpose or not, but what a great idea for those on the pre-op diet! EMPTY YOUR FRIDGE.

Like @WishMeSmaller indicated above, the hungry feels will likely go away in about 3 days. If you can hold out 1 more day, you will be golden. AND if you keep doing exactly what you are doing, by the end of 7 days you could be pleasantly surprised with what the scale will tell you...which could give you the extra batteries and motivation to make it all the way to surgery day. ❤️

Good Luck!

The hungry feeling only goes away after 3 days if you're on a "keto" style diet. My pre-op diet was proper food all specified by the dietitian and included carbs. So the hunger didn't go away and I have been starving hungry for over 2 weeks. I have managed to control myself by knowing that if I haven't shrunk my liver enough by the op date they will start but not be able to do the procedure. I've been drinking lots of calorie free fluids to try to fill up but it only helps a bit.

2 minutes ago, Deb9386 said:

The hungry feeling only goes away after 3 days if you're on a "keto" style diet. My pre-op diet was proper food all specified by the dietitian and included carbs. So the hunger didn't go away and I have been starving hungry for over 2 weeks. I have managed to control myself by knowing that if I haven't shrunk my liver enough by the op date they will start but not be able to do the procedure. I've been drinking lots of calorie free fluids to try to fill up but it only helps a bit.

Good point. If one’s pre-op diet is of the “higher-calorie” persuasion, one may continue to experience physical hunger (my pre-op diet was 3 shakes a day).

In addition to shakes, I was allowed to have sugar free jello and popsicles. Sometimes having something a little more solid helps.

They call it hell week for a reason but you will get through it. The headache is probably from cutting things out of your diet like sugar. They often suggest cutting out or reducing your caffeine intake too so if you're still allowed your coffee you have one up on others. ?

Good luck with your surgery.

My surgery date is November 2. I’m on day 3 of my pre op and it is really hard still. During the day while at work it isn’t Horrible until others around make their food and I remember I can’t have it. As well making my child meals sucks. Good luck!!

I think by the 4th day of my 2 week preop liquid diet, it was more tolerable. Caffeine withdrawal caused a bad headache the first few days. After that I just white knuckled it. I have NASH, and I was so worried my liver wouldn't shrink so I did not cheat.
It's definitely hard to get through but just hang in there!

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Thanks so much for all of your responses! They are helpful. I called the clinic and found out I can have sugar free jello...yay! But you all are correct in saying on the 3rd day it gets better. It is Day 3 for me and my appendages are still in tact (I haven't chewed anything off yet).

I’m on day 5 of pre op diet. The irony for me is that I don’t feel hungry...but I haven’t felt that in years which I am wondering if it has something to do with the band because I was never hungry with the band. I had a hard time regulating back then because I didn’t get normal hunger pains but my blood sugar would suddenly drop.

mu issue right now is having to pee all the time. I haven’t gotten a decent nights sleep since I started the prep diet because I’m up every hour. I am scared to limit my fluid intake. I don’t remember this before my other surgeries. ?

Good to hear the hunger got better for you! I'm also on Day 5 and still hungry but towing the line! Someone on this forum commented to another person who was struggling that 'we all went through it and you can too!' I keep that encouragement in mind. I have chronic migraines and have had one since Day 1. Fortunately I had already given up my much loved Coke Zero and gotten through that or it may be worse. I'm so grateful that I only have 10 days to get through !! My surgery is November 4th so almost there!?

Wishing you much success!

Whether folks survived it or not it’s still really hard and we get to whine about it. Giving up coffee has been the worst!! I remember missing Diet Pepsi with my band years ago but it went away after a while and I never touched it again. I think I will have a harder time with straws. I sit here with my hydro flask and drink all day from the straw lid.

right now I’m a bit burnt out on sweet...protein drinks, protein water, jello...broth only gets you so far. But soon this part will be over.

you just have a few days to go! Sending you super positive thoughts! ?

1 hour ago, futureshrink said:

right now I’m a bit burnt out on sweet...protein drinks, Protein Water, jello...broth only gets you so far. But soon this part will be over.

Right?!! My saving grace has been Unjury Chicken Soup. Love it! I tried Swanson's Chicken Broth and about lost my cookies with 1 sip. Chucked the rest... I like ProteinH20 water but, like you am So over sweets..., especially shakes. Looking forward to seeing how it goes for you! Sending back Super Positive Thoughts to You!

21 hours ago, futureshrink said:

I’m on day 5 of pre op diet. The irony for me is that I don’t feel hungry...but I haven’t felt that in years which I am wondering if it has something to do with the band because I was never hungry with the band. I had a hard time regulating back then because I didn’t get normal hunger pains but my blood sugar would suddenly drop.

mu issue right now is having to pee all the time. I haven’t gotten a decent nights sleep since I started the prep diet because I’m up every hour. I am scared to limit my Fluid intake. I don’t remember this before my other surgeries. ?

The frequent urination is what happens when your body goes into ketosis. It is so annoying, but also improves after several days.

Just keep on keeping on!