Hi Everyone!

I am sure this have been thought of prior to me but I wanted to share some ways I am surviving the liquid diet.

My Dr. put me on the carnation Breakfast diet and I have been getting bored with chocolate and French vanilla (strawberry was aweful...in my opinion) So I went to the baking section of the grocery store and purchased flavored extracts. The orange extract mixed with the French Vanilla taste like a Dream Sycle. The banana is delicious!!! Peppermint extract, French Vanilla Carnation and warmed milk for breakfast...so good!! There are tons of flavors to choose from.

All you need is a couple of dropped so I dont think it's adding more than 5 or 10 calories but it helps to get through the diet and add some variety.

I hope this helps everyone. I am sure you could add the extracts to your vanilla Protein shakes too!!!

Surgery 10/16/08 - Whoo hoo!!!

My surgery is 10/22. My surgeon's pre-op diet is both more and less specific than many of the ones I've seen on here.

• No more than 2 cups of skim milk or sugar free, fat free yogurt (I can substitute 1c of milk or yogurt for 1/2c cottage cheese)
  
• No more than 2 cups of gatorade, Powerade, or juice
  
• No more than 2 high Protein shakes per day
  
• No more than 1 sugar free chocolate popsicle or sugary popsicle or a 1/2c of applesauce or other all fruit puree
  
• Full liquid Soups - tomato Soup, carrot soup, etc.
  
• Unlimited Water, sugar free popsicles, diet soda, tea or coffee w/sugar free sweetener, protein water, sugar free drinks, broth, and other clear soups (miso)
  

That's it. No specific shakes or calorie counts I need to meet. It's the end of day two and I am ready to kill someone. I am beyond starving. At first, I was just hungry. Then I was nauseous. Then I was shaky. Now, I'm irritable (to put it mildly) and I feel weak.

As if the diet wasn't hard enough, my office is celebrating customer service week this week. So far, they've had bagels, popcorn, m&ms, candy corn, chips, salsa, Cookies, brownies, cake, pizza, and a fruit bouquet. All this food is laid out right between my desk and the bathroom. Ugh. I have to admit, getting through the day without eating any of it makes me feel like Super Woman.

I have yet to find a Protein shake that doesn't make me gag. My husband just came home with the low carb Slim Fast shakes. I downed one in four gulps.

I counted up my calories over the last two days. Yesterday, it was about 600 and today it's been about 400 total. I totally understand why the pre-op diet is important, but I'm pretty sure the intention wasn't to have such low calorie counts.

So...I would love to hear ANY and ALL suggestions on how to get through this without killing anyone or gnawing off a limb.

Hi Sandielaw!

I'm on a very similar diet too. Day 3 here of a 14 day diet. I'm hungry. Around 4pm...I'm starving. My calories have been around 1000 - 1200 calories per day and I'm on "Full Liquids" with very low fat. I think today I've had 8 grams of fat all day. I'm eating every three hours. At least...100 calories of something. Anything!!!!!

I've tried the following:

1. French Onion soup-Blended-Cambell's Healthy select or something-0 fat and hardley any calories. It was very satifying.

2. Try a protien powder mixed with one package of sugar free/fat free Jello instant pudding with skim milk. Blend and chill. It's filling...and high in protien. (Try the pudding with your premade protien shakes too. It works and gives it a really rich satisfying taste for 35 calories)

3. Can you have strained cream soups? Make your own. Purred potato with lots of chicken broth. Blended carrots with a little fat free 1/2 and 1/2 or skim milk.

4. I can have really loose cream of wheat or grits. Call your doctor and ask him/her if you can add this. It's filling.

5. Try special K protien Water between meals. It has 5 grams of protiens and it seems to help a little for only 30 calories.

6. Try the V8 soups. They are Awesome...and filling. All low fat and an entire container is about 160 calories. I was suprised at how filling these were.

7. Jello?

Lastely, call your doctor if you are really dying and having physical reactions. He/she can add more to your diet if you really need it. Hope this helps. We can do this!!!

Ronda

Thank you, Ronda!

I can have the veggie soups and those V8 ones are delicious. I will check out the french onion one.

That Protein Water is a life saver. I was surprised at how good it tasted and how filling 30 calories could be.

I think part of my problem is that I've been subsisting on soup with 1c of yogurt a day. Just not enough protein. But I have shakes now and I'm going to look for protein powders tonight.

Sandielaw,

I tried the unjury chicken soup today. It's broth and has 20 grams of protien in 8 ozs. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's not bad. The smell isn't appealing, but the tast is pretty good. It's definately better than canned broth. Maybe you could try one of these to get some protien in? I'm having a hard time with the protien too. Good Luck!

Sam's sells (at least the mine does, they all have different stuff) EAS powder in a humongo (yes that is a word) bag.

I got chocolate. It tastes pretty good. Like a slim fast or instant breakfast.

I do want to get the unjury broth though. I have been drinking broth but prefer the idea that it has a whollop of Protein behind it.

I know I am so with you guys. My surgery is the 22. My doc's diet is protein shake for breakfast and lunch, then 4-6 oz of protein and a low carb vegetable. I am starving before I can even get to dinner. I like the unjury chocolate shakes they taste good. I have been drinking a ton of water. That helps some, but I have cheated a few times. I know that is BAD, but wow didnt know how hard it would be to eat dinner after an all day fast. Best of luck to all. Kelli

I am new, so hello to all. I want to know where to get the Unjury shakes. Will my doctor give them to me or is there some certain store that carries them?

The Unjury protein powder and shakes can be purchased online, I think it is at www.Unjury.com. I did get a few single serving samples from my dietician at my nutricianal consult.

I have been using Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast (they were out of all other flavors) Sugar Free (Low Carb) is important in my opinion. Then I do a cup of milk and a few scoops of Designer Whey Vanilla which is absolutely wonderful. It turns into this vanilla-ey, chocolately goodness!

Hi:teeth_smile:

I am new too!!! My surgery is November 19th, and I could use some buddies:thumbup:

Tammy

Seems like everyone has a some sort of pre-op diet. I do not meet with the nutritionist until November 7th and my surgery is on the 12th. That only gives me 5 days to shed loose some weight.

Great suggestions and don't forget spices, cinnamon and nutmeg, not only have health boosters in them, but add great flavor too !

Try Chicken soup from a mexican restaurant. It's savory with great flavor! Remember to strain first though. :tongue_smilie:

Thanks for the tips - I had planned on going out tomorrow to start stocking up on things - 4 weeks to go

Tammy - my name is Lori - I'm scheduled the same day as you. We should stay in touch to compare notes.