April 5 too - home stretch

This is beginning to feel real. I started my final two week pre-op diet today. Mine consists of one meal (I did breakfast) and two high protein, low carb shakes. I came home and made a huge shake/smoothie with Low carb Dannon Yogurt drink, 1 scoop of vanilla protein whey powder and two cups of chipped ice. I also put a few raspberries in it (I know they weren't low cab, but needed something to chew). I think I may have to go to bed early to keep myself from eating. The hospital also called and wanted money as my out-of-pocket expense is $2,000 and they want all of that. I had to pay them half today, even though my surgery in not until April 5th. Go figure! I'd be interested in other April folks to hear what their pre-op diets consist of and how they are doing staying focused. I kind-of was "practicing" and have lost 8 pounds in the last couple of weeks. I was doing two meals and one low carb shake and generally watching the carbs. I have not had the carb cravings since I have cut them out - except for one time, and ALL I DID was lick the spoon of a cheesy macaroni Hamburger Helper dish I fixed for my family. That set me off. No more, if I have any brains at all. Good luck to all and happy pre-op meal planning. Mary Wms

Hi Mary, I have been trying to do liquids these last two weeks before my surgery(4/3) and it has been hard usually slim fast for bfast and lunch and soup for dinner. Today though very stressed at work, ate corn and crab bisque and caeser salad with shrimp and crawfish.very bad

The pre-op is hard. But I will say, I do feel pretty disciplined at this point. I just hope and pray I can hang onto that frame of mind. Having said that, my breakfast was not all that great this morning. I had pastry and a sugary frozen fruit salad thingy, along with eggs and meat. I'm surprised I was able to refrain from the carbs the remainder of the day. I really intended to have Chinese buffet tonight (my real weakness and what I will miss more than anything, even more than the diet sodas which I gave up three weeks ago. Since I did the breakfast, I didn't . But, I'll live. How about you? Anything especially hard and how are yo doing with it?

I have cut back on diet sodas, but I love diet sunkist so it's very hard. Chewing gum, I'm a fanatic. Trying to give it up but it has not been easy at all. Then, I live with a bunch of men, and I cook alot. Usually every day xcept Friday. So that gets frustrating. I doing really good on my water intake usually at least 4 to 5 bottles at work and the 2 big glasses at home. I hope I can keep that up. I also love Chinese food and have been craving it all week. But, I have to be strong. My surgeon won't do surgery if I gain any weight since my intial consultation. So I have to be very careful. What kind of protien drinks are you doing? What do they taste like? And what kind of vitamins are you going to be taking?

hi all, I too have been on pre-op diet.Two 35 gram protien shakes and 1 low carb meal and 2 pieces of fruit, so far I lost 18 lbs in about a month. Needed to get my BMI down to 60,7 more lbs to go. I feel confident I'll be able to do it by 4/10 surgery date. I thought it would be harder but I'm also focused and know I'm preparing myself. Treating myself to some good seafood meals ,lots of salad and veggies. Before this I was in that "last meal" syndrome which is definitely not good. SF ice pops,pudding, jello are good snacks Goo Luck and God Bless Donna

I've been reading alot of posts where people are on liquid diets for weeks prior to their surgery. Is this something that they must do because they are having the surgery and the doctor wants them cleaned out or is it because the doctor wants them to lose weight. I'm just finding this unusual because I have no actual pre-op surgery requirements other than nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before my surgery. The process to get approved by the surgeon was another story and different doctors that I know all have different requirements. But I am definitely wondering about this liquid diet thing - it must be really hard since you don't have the tool of the small pouch to help you out. Congrats on your date - hang in there - I know you'll make it through. Curious as to why Carolyn

hello and congrats to all here Carolyn to answer your questions yes some surgeons want there patients to try and lose a little weight before there surgerys and some done mind.....you are and seem lucky compaired to everyone else I too just a cant eat past midnight but no special diet before surgery......best of luck to you all and the ones on liquids hang in there it is not much longer now best of luck Hugs Lisa

I was figuring I'd have to do the 2 week liquid diet too but when I mentioned it to my surgeon, this is what he said... "Many surgeons request their patients to start a liquid or low carb diet a few weeks before surgery to "shrink" their liver a little and make the surgery easier. The truth is that we have not seen a big difference in the liver's size after this diet and it certainly adds some extra stress to the patients so soon before surgery and therefore we stopped requesting our patients to do it. It will be enough if you eat healthy (with less of carbs, no fried stuff and no fats and more of protein, vegetables and fruits) in the last two weeks before your surgery." I guess it really is up to each surgeon as to what they think is best for their patient. I've heard so many different requirements from one to the next. So, I've got a little over a month before surgery and I am doing things i know will help me during and after surgery: I have cut out sodas completely. I'm eating few carbs, mostly protein, and some veggies & occasional fruit. I'm having no sugar, eating sugar free pudding/jello, sugar free gum, etc. I've started taking a one-a-day vitamins (which I should have been doing all along) specifically for people on low carb diets. It has the extras that help in what they're deficient in, which also helps prevent so much hair loss. I got this 64 ounce water thingy that I'm filling up in the morning and adding ice throughout the day. (I was not a water drinker at all) It's the only way I can SEE that I'm getting the water I should be. I'm REALLY trying to stop smoking. Well, I'm working on it have only smoked a few cigarettes since Monday. This is the hardest of all. It's stressful enough this anticipation of waiting another month. And to quit at the same time.. UGH! But I know I have to (not that my surgeon is requiring it) but because I decided if I am going through what I'm going through now and for the rest of my life have my health improved with this surgery, I just can't see continuing to smoke when I KNOW what smoking does to our bodies. AND I'm preparing my self emotionally. I have major anxiety about the anesthesia. So I'm reading a book that is WONDERFUL! I also bought a relaxation CD that I've started listening to. I'm going to take it to the hospital with me too. I know before my day arrives, I'll be better able to deal with my emotions and anxiety. (I think) the CD is helping me with not having such urges to smoke too. I replied to someone's email last night that it would be a lot easier if I could sleep from now until they wheel me into recovery..lol. But then I took it back cause we have to be careful what we wish for So I understand when you say you're going to bed to keep yourself from eating. That's how I feel about not wanting (or wanting) to smoke. That is great you've lost 8 pounds so far! I've lost a little too. It makes me wonder why the heck I've not been able to become so focused, eating healthier, losing weight all along (before deciding on this surgery). Then I remembered that I HAVE done it.. on every single diet imaginable out there. Like so many others here, off and on for YEARS I've been focused, exercised, lost weight, and then screwed up, gained back more weight than I'd lost. It was a vicious cycle and I am SO happy that, provided I follow my surgeons post-op rules and suggestions, I'll never have to go through that.....ever again. I wish you luck too. And I look forward to hearing from you after surgery. Take care ~ Lisa

I have to have one week of a specific liquid diet which consists of 3 8oz cartons of impact advanced recovery.( this totals about 1000cal per day) also all the clear liquids with zero calories I want. I was told it was to help shrink my liver.My doctor is only having his laproscopic surgical patients use this diet. His open bypass patients are on a 1200 cal diet. The other reason for use this liquid prodduct is it has the proper nutrients to help get the body ready for surgery and for healing afterwards. I have been on a monitored calorie restricted diet since Jan1 and have lost about 15lbs. I have also started takaing my vitamins and have started a walking program (very slowly since I have not done any exercise in years). One good thing is I won't have to have any Bowel prep prior to my surgery. Best of luck to everyone. Sher L