MORE PRE-OP DIET QUESTIONS... STRESS!

Still trying to stay on this clear liquid and pro shake diet pre-op. Thanks to all of you, it helps to know I am not the only one suffering thru this. It seems like every day at about 4-5pm I am starving, no matter how much I drink of the pro stuff... Trim Spa is a great idea, but I have PVC's and that is a no-go. Tonight I messed up and ate a grilled chicken wrap from Sonic. I was so hungry and the thought of another shake or juice or water made me wretch. So, it's back to square one. Such is the story of my life. I have so many mixed feelings on this. 1. If I could do this, would I NEED RNY? 2. How can this be healthy? 3. I miss my food, how will I cope later? 4. I am never satiated this way, will I be this way post-op? 5. Shouldn't I feel full with much less and stay full longer post-op?, My family keeps saying "better get used to it, this will be your new life..." Living like this, surgery will be a relief. Still need support here, all week I have been busy at work, but this weekend I will be at home where the real food is, Please help! DEb

I haven't had surgery yet, but wanted to respond anyway. My surgeon (and the clinic where she works) doesn't require the liquid dieting pre-op. In fact, they don't even recommend drinking protein shakes afterwards. I do know that the WISH center here in SA, TX required all that before - sticking to a strict diet for 2 months before, exercising 6 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time. I went to them for a consultation and came away feeling so depressed. I also thought "if I could have done that already, I wouldn't be needing WLS!" I felt much more comfortable with my surgeon's approach to things. But I know you have to do what you have to do to get the surgery and get going on your new life. So I am not recommending switching docs or anything. What I do think is that you should just do the best you can. Don't expect perfection, don't get discouraged, and if the surgeon's office requires perfection, well, tell them what they want to hear. I know that sounds dishonest, but I had heard that the WISH center would cancel someone's surgery for one small slip up (someone had a soda a week or so before her scheduled surgery and they postponed her surgery). If you are doing the best you can, and stick to the diet most of the time, I think it isn't that big of a deal to "fib" in this case. Regarding missing food, I was very worried about this. I brought it up and the support group that is sponsored by the surgery clinic (New Dimensions in SA, TX). Everyone (at least 50 people) reassured me that your appetite AND tastes change after surgery. Some people who loved crystal light lemonade before, can't stand it now. So somehow how we think of food, what we "crave", feelings of hunger, all change. I also asked about this idea of "eating when you are hungry, and not eating when you are full", that the docs recommend after surgery. I don't understand what hungry or full means! But ALL the post-op patients reassured me that they were the same before surgery, and it all makes sense after surgery. That you learn quickly what full means - or you throw up. You learn to drink water if you think you are hungry, and if it goes away, you weren't. I am an RN, and am going for my master's in nursing to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am doing my research on gastric bypass surgery, so I have done a lot of reading and researching this subject. Some statistics are that with morbidly obese people who try to lose weight the conventional way (diet and exercise), 90% regain most or all and sometimes more of any weight they lose this way. BUT 75-80% of people who have weight loss surgery lose at least 50% of the weight they need to and KEEP IT OFF. The surgery works. They don't know all the reasons it works, and clearly it isn't just about restricting intake and some malabsorption. It actually causes some chemical changes (newly discovered hormone in stomach called "Grehlin" that has been shown to control appetite) that change your thinking/feeling about food. I was so impressed when I heard post-op patients talk about how they lost their pre-occupation with food after surgery. Their lives no longer revolved around eating, their next meal, etc. So just know that it works, believe that it WILL work for you. Do what you have to do to get through this pre-op stuff. Your family will see after your surgery. They just don't understand how and why it works either. But it will and does. Take care and feel free to write - [email protected]. When is your surgery? Mine is 2/17. Cris

Cris... This post was very reassuring for me as well. I have been going over scenarios like this in my head ever since I made the call on Tuesday telling them I want to go ahead w/ my surgery (even though I have to pay out of pocket). I was wondering if I would be able to handle it. I am dreading the clear liquid diet this week. I start tomorrow. My surgery's on Friday. I guess I have it easy compared to some...mine's only for 5 days. I just hate bananas! Yuck. We go tomorrow to get my supplies for pre/post-op. I just hope that all the Super Bowl people haven't bought up all my apple juice! Again, thanks for this post. It has put my mind at ease. --Dan

Hi Dan, I am also paying out of pocket. I know what you mean about being nervous about the choice to do this. I mean, if a doctor had said to me "you HAVE to have this surgery or you will die" then the decision would be out of my hands. But it is MY decision to do this and then live with the outcome. So that is scary. Last night I went out with my mom, some friends, and my boyfriend for my birthday dinner. There was a flyer on the table advertising a special valentine's dinner of 5 courses and cost $45/person. I turned to Mark and said "hey, maybe we can do this sometime". He gently reminded me that it is unlikely that I would be able to eat a 5 course meal after the surgery, at least for a long time if ever. So it still hits me at odd times that I will be living with the ramifications of this surgery for life. But it will be worth it! Take care and good luck with everything! Cris

I am about 8 months post op and have lost about 130 pounds from the time I entered the program and about 105 since surgery. After surgery I felt very full and satisfied with liquid diet. I could not swallow whole pills so I was not anxious to attempt food. I just realized this weekend that I am able to eat and talk and not overeat.. recognizing the signs of being full. I have found that strong flavored food is very satisfying. I found tomato juice a giant treat right after surgery. Also real home made broth. My daughter made some great broth that was so tasty it was like a meal. Maybe you could make some and freeze it before your surgery. We had to loose at least 5 pounds prior to surgery but were not required to follow a liquid regimen. I do believe all of the requirements are an attempt to make certain you are willing to change and also comply with change. Best of luck to you.. I do not regret for one minute any of the discomfort or hoops I had to jump through. Su Ellia