Start Pre-Op Diet Early?

[LadyH 57]

I'm so stressed out from the 6 months of surgery delays and waiting to get this process going, I wonder if it would all be easier if I just started my pre-op liquid diet now, a week early. Does anybody know if that's ok? a problem? safe? not safe? I'm just so sick of waiting and waiting.

[DaisyAndSunshine 299]

I would say it's fine if you want to get the hang of things and may be want to lose little more weight.

My surgery got postponed twice and both times I was on Pre-Op diet unfortunately. First time, I did it for 1 week and second time it was for 10 days. And finally I am yet again on my Pre-Op diet for 10 days with today being day 6.

So I would say it's fine as long as you have it in you to keep going.

Though I would recommend you enjoy this very last week before you have to take the plunge for 2 weeks straight. It may get difficult then and you may regret not utilizing a week before your Pre-Op diet to indulge in your favorite foods.

Edited November 25, 2021 by DaisyAndSunshine

[LadyH 57]

Thanks for the perspective. I've thought about both those aspects.

If my surgery gets postponed again, I won't be able to have surgery. I'm so disgusted with the medical/insurance system right now. It's such a racket.

[Arabesque 5,893]

Wouldn’t be an issue to start early. You could always start out slowly - swap out one meal for a couple of days, then a second meal, then the third meal. Might even make transition to just the shakes easier & the withdrawal (from sugar, caffeine, etc.) side effects less harsh to cope with.

Good luck with your surgery.

[LadyH 57]

Thanks for the idea.

I've already given up sugar and caffeine, but I'm a stress eater, so being stuck inside quarantined with nothing to do will be tough as I'll want to eat instead. Fingers crossed.

[catwoman7 10,508]

if you're on one like mine was (4-5 Protein Shakes + zero (or almost zero) calorie liquids (includes SF popsicles and SF Jello) plus a limited amount of Tomato juice and broth) - then you may just want to ease into it, like some of the other posters suggested. That type of two-week diet can be brutal - I just as heck wouldn't want to extend it. On the other hand, if your two-week diet allows more food (like a low-cal, low-carb dinner or something), then it'd probably be do-able.

[Spinoza 888]

Everything crossed for you this time LadyVan - six months is a long time to be ready and not taken - must have been so hard. I don't think it would do any harm to start it early - all the more loss and mentally it might help you feel you're getting things moving! Could you check with your nutritionist/dietician?

[vikingbeast 985]

On 11/25/2021 at 6:12 PM, Arabesque said:

Wouldn’t be an issue to start early. You could always start out slowly - swap out one meal for a couple of days, then a second meal, then the third meal. Might even make transition to just the shakes easier & the withdrawal (from sugar, caffeine, etc.) side effects less harsh to cope with.

Good luck with your surgery.

This is what I did. I actually didn't have a prescribed pre-op diet other than clear fluids for 24h before surgery, but I put myself on one and this is exactly what I did. Three weeks: 1 week replace a meal with a shake, 1 week replace two meals with shakes, 1 week full liquid.

[Ellinnet 2]

Good luck [emoji1360] [emoji176]. I think I will start my pre op diet early too this sounds good. I'll start replacing a meal or two with shakes. Thanks for the idea.

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[Elahnen 183]

I started mine a week early and it helped so much. I think it helped mentally bc I was making the choice and not being “told”. It also allowed me to get used to the plan and changes prior to actually having to commit so it wasn’t so overwhelming. It made the transition after surgery so much easier bc I wasn’t going through carb or sugar withdrawal immediately after surgery. The risk is that starting early could make you mentally think you can stop and start over and over since  you actually don’t have to do it and once the actual pre op starts there’s no turning back if your already so over it after the early week. Totally doable and worth it in my opinion and it worked awesome for me. Commit and stick to it… it’s just temporary! 

[Amidoingit 6]

I did a pre-pre-op diet for 4 days. Cut out caffeine, drank Protein Shakes and had sf Jello. Moving to the real pre-op diet was easy. Had my surgery 4 days ago!!!!. For 2 weeks post op it will be all liquids. It was helpful to me. Good luck!

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[LadyH 57]

On 11/25/2021 at 5:20 PM, DaisyAndSunshine said:

I would say it's fine if you want to get the hang of things and may be want to lose little more weight.

My surgery got postponed twice and both times I was on Pre-Op diet unfortunately. First time, I did it for 1 week and second time it was for 10 days. And finally I am yet again on my Pre-Op diet for 10 days with today being day 6.

So I would say it's fine as long as you have it in you to keep going.

Though I would recommend you enjoy this very last week before you have to take the plunge for 2 weeks straight. It may get difficult then and you may regret not utilizing a week before your Pre-Op diet to indulge in your favorite foods.

I took your advice to savor this last week, and today was my farewell to food. And now I'm excited to start the all-liquid tomorrow. Your advice really helped--thanks!

[LadyH 57]

3 hours ago, Amidoingit said:

I did a pre-pre-op diet for 4 days. Cut out caffeine, drank Protein Shakes and had sf Jello. Moving to the real pre-op diet was easy. Had my surgery 4 days ago!!!!. For 2 weeks post op it will be all liquids. It was helpful to me. Good luck!

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Thanks! Keep me posted on how you're doing. I hope all is well with you!

[LadyH 57]

On 11/27/2021 at 4:01 PM, Ellinnet said:

Good luck . I think I will start my pre op diet early too this sounds good. I'll start replacing a meal or two with shakes. Thanks for the idea.

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When is your surgery?

[StaffiwMarocson19 1]

Wonderful post, thanks and good luck