I start my pre-op diet on April 17th. I am so much in my head about all the things I can't have for the next couple of months. I'm trying to stay focused on my goals and reasons why I chose this path. I know what I'm supposed to do, but I guess I'm just nervous about the unknowns and the experience of it all.

Hi- I’m in day 2 and so far it hasn’t been too hard, but very dull flavors. I’ll likely get more creative but the main thing that has helped is to stay busy with work, walks, friends, movies and NOT look at any food commercials or posts. I caught a glimpse of nachos and had to talk myself down ?

Oh man. I can only imagine. Is yours full liquid? I can have some solid foods, but it limited to 3 oz lean protein, certain vegetables and fruits, and a carb limit. I can't remember the specifics at the moment. So it's basically 2 protein shakes and a limited dinner. I can have all the sugar free jello I want, so there is that ?

I think the hardest "diet" part of this whole experience was the first several days of my preop diet (I was full liquids for 1 week and then clear fluids for 1 week). It was hard psychologically because, like you, I was thinking too much about what I was missing. My surgery was right during the holidays so I was extra in my head about "treats". There was also the emotion of "this is really happening" and it was a little scary for me. Physically, my first few preop diet days were punctuated by headache and anger (hangry). After that, I got used to it and the rest was mostly smooth sailing. My advice is to take it day by day, hour by hour, or minute by minute, if you have to. Know that it does get better and that after surgery, you most likely will not want the things you are thinking you will miss, at least for a while.

Do be prepared for the weirdness of not being hungry, ever, after surgery. One of the strangest things I've ever experienced. So, take the pre-op time to establish a better eating schedule that follows your post op plan, if you can. I am still trying to get this part down 3.5 months post surgery.

I know you will do well! You are here asking questions, and participating. This shows me that that you want to do well and will do what it takes!

Edited April 13, 20233 yr by Lisa XO
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7 minutes ago, Lisa XO said:

I think the hardest "diet" part of this whole experience was the first several days of my preop diet (I was full liquids for 1 week and then clear fluids for 1 week). It was hard psychologically because, like you, I was thinking too much about what I was missing. My surgery was right during the holidays so I was extra in my head about "treats". There was also the emotion of "this is really happening" and it was a little scary for me. Physically, my first few preop diet days were punctuated by headache and anger (hangry). After that, I got used to it and the rest was mostly smooth sailing. My advice is to take it day by day, hour by hour, or minute by minute, if you have to. Know that it does get better and that after surgery, you most likely will not want the things you are thinking you will miss, at least for a while.

Do be prepared for the weirdness of not being hungry, ever, after surgery. One of the strangest things I've ever experienced. So, take the pre-op time to establish a better eating schedule that follows your post op plan, if you can. I am still trying to get this part down 3.5 months post surgery.

I know you will do well! You are here asking questions, and participating. This shows me that that you want to do well and will do what it takes!

Thanks for the insight. It's a lot to process. I'm curious though, does the hunger ever come back?

2 minutes ago, LindsayT said:

Thanks for the insight. It's a lot to process. I'm curious though, does the hunger ever come back?

I've heard it does for most people. I hope mine never comes back. lol

1 minute ago, Lisa XO said:

I've heard it does for most people. I hope mine never comes back. lol

Right! I guess that's what the first year is all about- learning healthy habits for when the hunger strikes again. ?

I honestly had a good round of food funerals so when my pre-op diet started, I was more or less ready for it. ?

Something that helped me is knowing that nothing is permanently off limits. Sure, the first couple months requires specific eating to help the stomach heal, but after that anything goes so long as you can keep it down. This is where the mental stuff comes in. Just because you can have it doesn’t mean you should or that it will help you achieve your goals.

Im 4 weeks post op VSG today and my physical hunger is back. It’s not as crazy as it was, but I do feel hungry about 2x a day. It usually happens right when I’m due to eat. I envy people that never feel hungry again, but I’m learning what real hunger feels like vs mental and I’m thankful it’s not like it was (I’d get the shakes and feel like I was going to pass out).

Good luck!! The days fly by and before you know it, you’ll be here on the other side ?

In my case, a lot of the foods I occasionally miss are ones that give me nearly instant, really unpleasant issues (sugar, alcohol, bread, pasta, potatoes are mostly the ones I can't tolerate STILL, even at 19 months out!)...so in a way a lot of that resolved itself because it's like aversion therapy. Every time I start sizing up a cookie, I remember fainting the last time I ate one and that definitely keeps me away LOL.

2 hours ago, mcipanda said:

I honestly had a good round of food funerals so when my pre-op diet started, I was more or less ready for it. ?

Something that helped me is knowing that nothing is permanently off limits. Sure, the first couple months requires specific eating to help the stomach heal, but after that anything goes so long as you can keep it down. This is where the mental stuff comes in. Just because you can have it doesn’t mean you should or that it will help you achieve your goals.

Im 4 weeks post op VSG today and my physical hunger is back. It’s not as crazy as it was, but I do feel hungry about 2x a day. It usually happens right when I’m due to eat. I envy people that never feel hungry again, but I’m learning what real hunger feels like vs mental and I’m thankful it’s not like it was (I’d get the shakes and feel like I was going to pass out).

Good luck!! The days fly by and before you know it, you’ll be here on the other side ?

Is hunger cues different for VSG vs RNY? I think I remember reading something about it.

2 hours ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

In my case, a lot of the foods I occasionally miss are ones that give me nearly instant, really unpleasant issues (sugar, alcohol, bread, Pasta, potatoes are mostly the ones I can't tolerate STILL, even at 19 months out!)...so in a way a lot of that resolved itself because it's like aversion therapy. Every time I start sizing up a cookie, I remember fainting the last time I ate one and that definitely keeps me away LOL.

Good point. Did you have RNY by chance?

6 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Is hunger cues different for VSG vs RNY? I think I remember reading something about it.

I believe so, yes. There’s a different kind of re-wiring that happens with RNY vs VSG, but I don’t think it guarantees anything. I’ve met a lot of RNY folks that still feel hunger (my mom included) so it feels like the luck of the draw.

12 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Good point. Did you have RNY by chance?

No, I have a sleeve. I'm just unfortunately one of the 5% or so of us that dumps like an RNY patient.

5 hours ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

No, I have a sleeve. I'm just unfortunately one of the 5% or so of us that dumps like an RNY patient.

Unfun. I'm having RNY so I'm kinda expecting it may happen.