I just had my preop education today. My surgery is the 21st, so on Friday I start a 10 day, 30 grams of carb/day, and 100+ grams of protein/day diet. Then, I start a 4 day clear liquid diet. I'm really having some doubts about how I'm gonna do this. I've tried Atkins before and it did not last long! Any encouragement/tips would be greatly appreciated!!!

(:biggrin:I'm still so excited about finally getting to this point!!:thumbup:)

It is hard but you can do it. I had to do 14 days of liquid protein pre-op. It was very hard and I even cried a couple times but I did not give up. Take it one day at a time and remind yourself that it is just two weeks out of your life and the end results will make it soooo worth it. Good Luck!!

It is very hard to do the pre-op diet but you need to look at it like a new adventure and and a new beginning for the rest of your life. One of the posts I made on here was that I placed picture of myself that I hated on my fridge and on my pantry and everytime I went for food, I had to look at it. It reminded me of how I never wanted to look again and it stopped me cold. It is a picture of me and my Mom and the cameraman was in a squat position and looking up at us so you can imagine how much heavier it made me look as if I needed that. It made a big difference in my pre-op success. I also cleared out my fridge and pantry of all the no-no foods. The stuff that wasn't opened went to the food bank and everything else went to work with my husband and he put it on the general table and it was eaten up in no time so I didn't have to have the temptation. I went ahead and bought sugar free popsicles and sugar free fudge pops so I had something to go to if I got desperate. Good Luck.

There was no way I could NOT eat...as an overeater and binger I'd crack. But because I knew this about myself...I did something crazy- took a cruise to Mexico for a few days so my kids (single mom) would have things to do and I wouldn't have to do any cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.

Thank y'all!!! I love the pic-on-the-fridge idea! I love the cruise idea, too, but all this surgery prep has about cleaned out my pockets despite having good insurance!!! I've cleaned out my cabinets and that has helped. If I don't see it, I tend not to want it. I went ahead and started a day early, and I got through it pretty well! I just hope I can keep it up. I've heard other people say that the first few days are the hardest. Hope it's true:unsure:

The first 3 days or so are def. the hardest. After that, it is not too bad. I had a 3 week pre-op diet. If I can do it, then anyone can. Good luck!

Neo, for me the big motivation was that I didn't want to risk my surgery. You work for and plan so long for this and you know it will change your life.

The diet is intended to shrink you liver to make the surgery safer. There are folks on this board that didn't do that. My doc said if your liver isn't smaller when they go in, they'll close you up and send you home, sans your band.

There was no way I was going to take off work, go through the insurance appeals and months of work and then be sent home without my band. I found fear of that was a terrific motivator. Besides, you already know it's only for a couple of weeks, so there IS a light at the end of the tunnel.

The popsicles helped a lot. Good luck to you and congratulations on this life changing decision!

KEEP BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kept my mind of food by staying out of the kitchen and when my family eat i would go up stairs so i didn't have to see it. It was hard i am note going to lie but you will see that scale move and that is the best feeling in the world. You can do It

I cheated on my preop diet the first time and while I still lost 15 pounds, I did NOT get the band; my liver was still too thick.

The second time around it was oddly easy to stick to the diet. :tongue_smilie:

My suggestion.....go buy yourself an ISPIRATION outfit....hang it on the wall where you will see it everyday...now you have a goal to work toward, everytime you look at that sexy dress (or whatever it is u like) haning on the wall you will be reminded of why you are doing this.....

Secondly, you need to keep telling yourself...this is just a few days outta the rest of my life...and after all you CAN do anything for a few days when it comes with a lifetime payoff!!!

Good luck to you, I'll be looking forward to checking your progress!

~Monica

I cheated on my preop diet the first time and while I still lost 15 pounds, I did NOT get the band; my liver was still too thick.

The second time around it was oddly easy to stick to the diet. :ohmy:

RestlessMonkey,

Haven't been coming around much lately and I just noticed your ticker, ...you're doing great!! :confused:

Thank you very much, Jodi! :confused: I never thought I'd LOVE the word "restriction" so much LOL makes a big difference though! I seem to lose in chunks...10-15 pounds over a couple weeks, then I HOLD for a couple, then drop. Whatever! Hold and drop is WAY WAY better than a steady rise! :ohmy:

Dont tell yourself that you are going to have a hard time...because then you will! EXPECT that you will do ok. My hardest time was at night between 5-10pm. I had some serious talks with myself...when I couldn't talk myself out of eating something, sugar free POPSICLES are a lifesaver! You have to chew them and they're only 15 calories...

Basically just keep reminding yourself why you are doing this and that it will all be worth it...

GOODLUCK

Dont tell yourself that you are going to have a hard time...because then you will! EXPECT that you will do ok. My hardest time was at night between 5-10pm. I had some serious talks with myself...when I couldn't talk myself out of eating something, sugar free POPSICLES are a lifesaver! You have to chew them and they're only 15 calories...

Basically just keep reminding yourself why you are doing this and that it will all be worth it...

GOODLUCK

100 g or protein p/day is a lot, specially when you're not eating solid foods. GNC has several carb-free high protein waters. Cytomax comes in a 24 oz bottle & has 60 g of protein. I tried the tropical flavor, which wasn't bad, specially if you put some ice in it. My favorite is Isopure, 40g of protein in a 20 oz bottle. It comes in green & black tea, as well as several fruit flavors. A good alternative to just having shakes & will help you hit your protein target each day. Good luck. You can do it!