I am curious as to what kind of pre-op diet you guys are required to do... they seem to differ so much yet they all are in place to do the same thing, right?

So here is mine:

Meal 1: Protein shake

Meal 2: 1 servings of TWO of these: oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, bagel, waffle, toast (1/2 cup each)

Meal 3: Protein Shake

Meal 4: 4-6 ozs of lean meat, 1 cup of GREEN vegetables

And... I have to do it for 1 month. I think it would be ok (hard, but not that bad) for 2 weeks but the 1 month seems completely like I can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel!

But I guess since I have survived 2 days through this then I will probably live. :smile: With heavy stress on the word "probably".

Amy

Hi-

I just joined this site and my surgery is scheduled for May 4th! On Monday I have to start my liquid diet for two weeks. I believe I have to do 5 optifast shakes a day. I am not sure how I am going to survive this! Has any one else had to do this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I am not doing that particular diet, but I will tell you that the first day was HELL. I seriously wished I could lay down and never wake up. I came home from work and laid in bed because I had NO energy - and all I could think about was eating.

Then the next day I had a little more energy.

Then the third day I felt pretty normal...

Then the fourth day I wasn't very excited about eating, it was more that I was having a protein shake because I was supposed to do that.

Sooo now it's been 2 weeks this coming Monday and I am doing just fine. I am used to it, eating is not this big fun event any more but it's actually OK. I think 99% of it was mental for me.

And trust me, if I can do it you can too!

As a random side note: Do a google search on why stomach's growl... it's all mental! It growls because your mind is used to eating a certain amount at a certain time and it tells your stomach to start churning the acid that it uses to digest your food... And when your stomach is empty, the "growl" you hear is the air as the acid churns. When you're full it still "growls" but you can't hear it as much because the acid is churning around the food you just ate. Pretty crazy!

Good luck! Keep us updated!

-Amy

HI everyone, my name is Susie and my surgery is scheduled for May 14th (just like yours, Trish)! I'm starting my pre-op diet on April 30th. 2 weeks, high protein / low carb diet. I'm planning on using Slim Fast and / or GNC Protein shakes. I've tried the Unjury (a friend had surgery in Feb, I tried all of her flavors) and I prefer the GNC chocolate caramel, it really is good.

Thanks for the advice. Have you been able to and/or are we supposed to be exercising when we are on the protein shakes diet pre surgery?

Skinnybyrd,

I wasn't told NOT to - I don't see how it could be a bad thing. I haven't been, but I was actually thinking about it today. I might hop on the treadmill for a bit tomorrow.

I just registered for a cruise with my bf and a friend this June, which is something I've never done and I DO want to lose as much as I can before that... So even more motivation!

I am not doing that particular diet, but I will tell you that the first day was HELL. I seriously wished I could lay down and never wake up. I came home from work and laid in bed because I had NO energy - and all I could think about was eating.

Then the next day I had a little more energy.

Then the third day I felt pretty normal...

Then the fourth day I wasn't very excited about eating, it was more that I was having a Protein shake because I was supposed to do that.

Sooo now it's been 2 weeks this coming Monday and I am doing just fine. I am used to it, eating is not this big fun event any more but it's actually OK. I think 99% of it was mental for me.

And trust me, if I can do it you can too! :thumbup:

As a random side note: Do a google search on why stomach's growl... it's all mental! It growls because your mind is used to eating a certain amount at a certain time and it tells your stomach to start churning the acid that it uses to digest your food... And when your stomach is empty, the "growl" you hear is the air as the acid churns. When you're full it still "growls" but you can't hear it as much because the acid is churning around the food you just ate. Pretty crazy!

Good luck! Keep us updated!

-Amy

AMY - Keep up the good work........two down, two to go ! I can't believe we're almost @ May 1st.......The Mayo BANDitos will Celebrate for the entire month..........

Amy, thanks for the rundown on how it went for you day by day. Now I know what to expect. I drank one 8 oz. Protein drink yesterday and left to go shopping with my friend, and by the time I picked her up 15 min. later, I was starving! So, I am a bit nervous about the hellish time I will have with hunger and no energy.

Susie, you and I start our preop on the same day. I've been told to do all SlimFast -- nothing else. At least they are tasty, IMHO.

My surgeon wants me on a two-week, 1000 calorie/day liquid diet. In prior appointments, the staff told us that Dr. Quilici prefers two weeks because most obese patients have a lot of belly fat, and a lot of fat in their liver - which is right on top of the stomach. The liver is a big organ, and is full of blood vessels so shrinking it as much as possible will help avoid any complications or lacerations during surgery. Dr. Quilici has been doing bariatric surgery for a while, and has found that when he makes his patients do the two week diet, the amount of issues with fatty livers are greatly decreased.

Whatever I have to do to be healthy, have a clean and quick operation, and heal faster - I'll do it!!

Now to get on a normal exercise routine... I feel like now that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I want to actually get there faster. Amazing, isn't it?

Thanks John!!! Today was hard for some reason, I don't know why. I was really hungry and none of my "choices" sounded good.

Oh speaking of that - how many green vegetables can everyone think of? I have to do lean meat and a green vegetable for dinner. I don't really like green peas, I thought I liked spinach until I ate the required amount (1cup) and now the thought of it makes me gag... Broccoli is ok but it's getting old, and I love green Beans but even THEY are getting old!

Ann - when do you start your diet?

Thanks John!!! Today was hard for some reason, I don't know why. I was really hungry and none of my "choices" sounded good.

Oh speaking of that - how many green vegetables can everyone think of? I have to do lean meat and a green vegetable for dinner. I don't really like green peas, I thought I liked spinach until I ate the required amount (1cup) and now the thought of it makes me gag... Broccoli is ok but it's getting old, and I love green Beans but even THEY are getting old!

Ann - when do you start your diet?

Hi Amy - Are you allowed squash ?? My wife takes squash, peppers,mushrooms,garlic and green peppers and slices them very thin. Places the mix in a roasting pan, adds a little Water and places it in the outdoor grill and roasts them......DELICIOUS........If you can have any and all of the ingredients, you may enjoy it.......

Hello guys I finally got my surgery date of May 4th, and I'm really excited about it. My pre-op diet consists of me replacing to meals with protein shakes and a lean cuisine. It's been a little hard but I've kept to it and haven't cheated. I wish all of you luck!

Ann - My Doc is allowing me to have a banana with my protein drink in the am. Helps satisfy me. Maybe your doc will allow same if you like bananas??

Thanks John!!! Today was hard for some reason, I don't know why. I was really hungry and none of my "choices" sounded good.

Oh speaking of that - how many green vegetables can everyone think of? I have to do lean meat and a green vegetable for dinner. I don't really like green peas, I thought I liked spinach until I ate the required amount (1cup) and now the thought of it makes me gag... Broccoli is ok but it's getting old, and I love green Beans but even THEY are getting old!

Ann - when do you start your diet?

Hi, Amy! What about sugar snap peas? They are my favorite! Green Giant sells them without any sauce in a small box that would be about 1 cup, I'm guessing. If you like green beans and don't mind the canned version, there are some that have tiny bits of red pepper and onion mixed in. Those are good for a switch. There are also Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and green peppers.

I start my diet on April 30. I'm quite nervous because I haven't been very good since Easter. I've been eating anything I want, justifying it as "my last time to have this." :crying:

Good luck, Amy! Keep us posted.

And a shout out to John -- how's it going so far on your pre-op? Didn't you start yesterday?

Good luck to everyone! :eek:

Hi Ann....

My pre-op diet starts next Monday but I started a modified version today. One shake for Breakfast with a banana, two for lunch, an afternoon apple and a nice/ reasonable dinner.

Thanks for the shout out..........

Hi Ann....

My pre-op diet starts next Monday but I started a modified version today. One shake for Breakfast with a banana, two for lunch, an afternoon apple and a nice/ reasonable dinner.

Thanks for the shout out..........

Oh, sorry, John. Got the dates mixed up.

A banana is a great idea. I'll ask the surgeon about that. Thanks for the tip! :smile: