Did you cheat on pre-op liquid diet

[ocracoke 0]

Good job!!!!!!!!!

[kellyodoran 12]

OK I was not helpful yesterday with my sarcasm.

What I wish for the world of overweight/food addicted people is to stop treating food like this little kid reward system. It's sick! It's something we've been taught (and believe me I am still guilty of it) and it is a huge mental reason why we have problems with food. I think once I conquered this fear relationship with food, I became "HAPPY" even at 193 lbs. I at least understand it, even if I still struggle with it. I am slowly losing, but healthier with my relationship.

You are not a "bad" person if you eat something not on your band diet. You are not a "bad" person if you cheat on your liquid diet. I am more interested in seeing you continue to pick yourself up every day and maybe not eat EVERYTHING you want, maybe do the pre-op for one meal - but to ask permission to blow off the pre op diet is really indicative of your underlying dysfunctional relationship wth food. Which every single one of us here has, so there is absolutely no call for anyone to judge, reprimand, demean or otherwise make you feel bad about yourself.

True, I had a pre op diet. True, I lasted 7 days on liquids and ate my face off before the surgery. True, I still was banded. True, my friend Lexy had no pre op diet. The question is not whether you can eat what you want, or why some docs require it and not others, but ask yourself why it's so hard for you to accept a liquid pre-op?

Start just asking yourself why controlling your food is so hard. That's the bigger journey. Let go of this fearful "I should/I shouldn't" and the resulting criticism from other banders. We ALL have food issues, it's like asking another crazy person in the ward with you if they think you're nuts

We're here, aren't we???

Once you are banded, and you will be, when your fill is perfect, your life will change. You will notice how radically different, and silent, all those food demons in your head will be. I cried when I first noticed the magic fill. Everyone in my head just shut up. The silence was beautiful. I didn't NEED cheesesteaks, I wasn't STARRRVING for anything. I was clearheaded for the first time in my entire life. When I ate those foods by conscious choice, it didn't always taste perfect and wonderful. Sometimes, it was a disappointment and not worth the calories. Yes, even of my favorite cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory :thumbup: Once food wasn't constanly perfect, I was able to get picky...do I want to eat the pizza and feel the uncomfortable passing through the band? Bleh...no pain for me today thx. I would actually made GOOD CHOICES! omg. Me, fat Kate, choosing a salad over chicken parm?? I feel normal when I cn do that. It's not all the time, but it happens more often than not.

That's how the band heals. You are clearheaded and can make sane choices if you are willing to slow down and just listen to your body.

There is a bigger reason you're being asked to do it. I ask you guys to look a little bit deeper. Clearly with the amount of reaction it evokes in us to be fed and nourished (but NOT by what we *want* to eat) is the real root of food problems, and why we're all so fat we are putting our freaking lives in danger.

Do me a favor.

Just never stop trying to understand and master the "Why" of your weight. There is an answer, but it will take time.

Kate I thinkyou wrote one of the most inspirational things I have read......especially about the food voices in your head......I so related. I'm to be banded in one week, and I just want the voices to stop! thanks Kelly

[-------- 0]

This is my first post on here but thought I would share.

About a year and half ago I was going to have surgery, I did the two week diet and didn't cheat at all but the insurance company denied me so I decided I couldn't afford to pay for it.

Now I have decided to go through with the surgery with self-pay and I have been on the pre-op diet since July 23 and my surgery is August 12 (the nutritionist said that a 3 week liquid diet would be fine). I went out of town this past weekend and kind of cheated but made sure it was only with healthy foods.

After reading some of the comments on here I really do not want to cheat now. I received a call today from my family doctor and he was concerned about my liver enzyme levels being high so now I have to see a specialist. Hopefully if I just stick with the pre-op diet I should be fine. I plan to call my surgeon tomorrow and consult with him about my blood work.

[ocracoke 0]

Good Luck!

[Dawn5115 0]

I'm 6 days POST-OP and those voices are SCREAMING at me. I am so stinking hungry.... it's 110 degrees and too hot to do much outside... the tv is filled with food..... I don't want anyone to know, so I'm avoiding everyone for now... I'm a bit more relaxed just being reminded that the voices will stop some day soon. *BTW... surgery was fine, the first two days were hard... but every day is better than the last! I only took the pain pill twice (big stupid dry pill... more of a pain to get down then the pain I was trying to end... but sleep would have been nice) *ask for a liquid pain med and have it filled before the surgery! I just wish I could move on to puree or soft foods... anything! hmmm.... that's a lot of stuff from me.... It's late and I guess I'm hungry and tired of being inside for a week. LOL Good luck on the 12th!!

[vflores919 0]

Those of you who cheated: Did they go ahead with the surgery and was it successful? I don't see a lot of you posting that your surgery went okay. And there aren't any tickers to let me know you were banded successfully.

I have 4 days left of my 2-week liquid pre-op diet. I did cheat last weekend when i went out of town. But I'm completely back on track and hope everything goes well next Monday. I've lost 10 lbs so far, but my head hasn't been in the right place and I'm kind of disappointed in myself. I know I could have done much better. BUT...I refuse to fail these last 4 days. I even wrote a big "NO" on the top of my hand to remind me not to let the voices win and not to cheat. lol I know that's silly, but it works for me.

[Taterbugsmom 0]

Those of you who cheated: Did they go ahead with the surgery and was it successful? I don't see a lot of you posting that your surgery went okay. And there aren't any tickers to let me know you were banded successfully.

To answer your question....

Yes, i did "cheat" and yes, I was still banded as scheduled & had no issues. I wish I could have been one of those that were able to stick to the 2 week, 4 Protein Shakes & Water only diet but I wasn't

My "cheats" were mainly grilled chicken. Though, I completely lost my willpower 5 days before surgery at a birthday party & even had birthday cake :eek:! I did however work my a$$ off those 2 weeks to make sure I burned as many calories as possible. I lost 29 lbs on my pre-op diet. Would I advise anyone to do the same, HELL NO! Why, because the guilt and worrying that my surgery may have been canceled as a result drove me practically crazy! The second I came to after surgery the first thing I asked was "please tell me I was banded", my surgeon actually said my liver was in "pristine" condition and flat as a pancake :redface:

Definitely STICK to your surgeons diet to a "T" these next few days and I would even suggest doing some intense work outs just to be sure you will be cleared for surgery.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

[sherun 1]

I'm on day 4 of Clear Liquids and Protein Shakes. Surgery day is Aug 23!! Today I am on my way to a weekend out of town and everyone in the car is eating fast food. I am so irritable! I did have a bite of dinner last night! It was ravioli. I'm worried about today! Shopping all day at the outlet mall. I hope once I get over this hump it will be better- it's not even that I'm hungry that much- I am so crabby, I get mad at my family for leaving food everywhere and my husband just eats what ever he wants whenever he wants. I wish they were more sensitive! Love the support on the boards! Looking fwd to being banded!

[Dawn5115 0]

I'm on day 4 of clear liquids and Protein Shakes. Surgery day is Aug 23!! Today I am on my way to a weekend out of town and everyone in the car is eating fast food. I am so irritable! I did have a bite of dinner last night! It was ravioli. I'm worried about today! Shopping all day at the outlet mall. I hope once I get over this hump it will be better- it's not even that I'm hungry that much- I am so crabby, I get mad at my family for leaving food everywhere and my husband just eats what ever he wants whenever he wants. I wish they were more sensitive! Love the support on the boards! Looking fwd to being banded!

Poor, Sherun! I didn't have to do a pre-op diet.... but I did 2 weeks of liquids after and I was furious with everyone! I have two teenage boys and a husband that don't have to worry about what they eat. My 14 year old thought that I should take him AND sit in Taco Bell while he had lunch (one week after surgery.... and 7 days of liquids only). They just don't understand, but I do. I just moved to puree on Thursday and I am much, much, much, better!! You are not alone!

[Alisomniac 0]

Hey - I had a questions not exactly pertinent to the topic, but considering it looks like everyone here has been banded...

surgeon said to take Milk of Magnesia or other laxative at noon the day before the surgery to clear the pipes... which is cool - but my surgery is on a Friday, and I'm working the day before (7am-6pm is my shift)... Will I be OK to stay at work 6 hours after?

I'm not required to go 100% liquid pre-op, but was planning to take a laxative the Monday before (I dont work Mondays), then spend the next three days on a modified liquid diet - to include yogurt, creamy Soups, milk, etc... Sorry to be indelicate - but do you have much stool while on a full-liquid diet? I can't imagine so... and even if I fail that plan, I will still do liquid only the day before...do you think I could manage 1/2 a work day after taking the Magnesia?

Please advise. And sorry for all the poop talk.

[Dawn5115 0]

Hey - I had a questions not exactly pertinent to the topic, but considering it looks like everyone here has been banded...

surgeon said to take Milk of Magnesia or other laxative at noon the day before the surgery to clear the pipes... which is cool - but my surgery is on a Friday, and I'm working the day before (7am-6pm is my shift)... Will I be OK to stay at work 6 hours after?

I'm not required to go 100% liquid pre-op, but was planning to take a laxative the Monday before (I dont work Mondays), then spend the next three days on a modified liquid diet - to include yogurt, creamy Soups, milk, etc... Sorry to be indelicate - but do you have much stool while on a full-liquid diet? I can't imagine so... and even if I fail that plan, I will still do liquid only the day before...do you think I could manage 1/2 a work day after taking the Magnesia?

Please advise. And sorry for all the poop talk.

I had NO experience with this issue pre-banding.... but I am learning... quickly! I think M.O.M. is pretty gentle and I would just take it in the late afternoon. But on the liquid diet, I still "went to the bathroom" -- but the first day after moving on to mushy food I thought I was dying. I thought I would have to go to the hospital ER for help! M.O.M. didn't help. So... be sure to take a softner or M.O.M. every couple of days. Keep track and if you miss a day or two --- take action!! But I think the jolt of liquids to mushy just confused my poor colon. I now keep all of the treatments on hand.... and Gas-X strips will also be your friend!! Get to the drug store before your operation!! Which is when??

[Alisomniac 0]

Thanks for the reply. My op is 10.8

[KAS1971 0]

I prefer to not think I cheated on pre-op .. however It was a planned 10 day diet and I am shortening it by 2 days :smile:. It's labor day weekend and we had previous plans before I found out about pre-op. But once I start Mon. it will be to the letter... I used it for 2 weeks already to get to where I needed to be to get the thumbs up for surgery as it is so am not gonna risk it.

[ledgins 0]

I am on day 7 of 3 week pre-op. I have done fairly well at sticking to the diet. I have had 1 bite of my husbands pizza and one bite of my sons grilled cheese. It is so hard to see them eating these foods that I have loved all my life. The thing I miss the most is Sub-way...but you do what ya gotta do.

[Nursecutie 0]

My Surgeon requires a 2 week clear liquid/optifast diet. It was sooooooo hard being at the family BBQ yesterday and eating sugar free Jello. But, I did it. I've been wanting weight loss surgery for 10 years and I refuse to jeopardize my chances of FINALLY having it done next week!

I don't seem to have any restrictions on my clear liquids, but I was looking at the sodium content on my broth and holy COW! Is that gonna cause problems?!