I need HELP!

Ok all..I am 5 days away from surgery and this liquid diet is HELL. I want to eat SO bad!! Would ONE last meal really hurt at this point? This is such a struggle for me and I've had a continuous headache since staring liquids. Is it going to be worse after surgery? I was told that you don't even feel like eating so it may be easier to deal with. HELP!! Rebecca

I didn't find the liquid diet very tough before surgery. I was drinking 5 or 6 Advant Edge or Atkins shakes a day (1 every 2 hours) and allthe water I could drink and did find. I lost like 26 lbs in the 2 weeks before syrgery doing this. When I went in for my pre-op with the doctor he told me I could eat a light lunch the day before surgery. He suggested something lite like turkey but don't overdo it. I was surprised he told me that. I ended up eating the meal 2 days before surgery because he told me to eat it somewhat early so my stomach would be clear. Rather than worry about that I decided to eat it really early. Actually, I was thinking I wouldn't eat it at all and stay on the liquid diet but I was working at a Villiage Fair that day and they brought free food for the volunteers. It looked too good to pass up and I knew it was OK with the doctor. That protein liquid diet was easy then but I"m having a much harder time getting it in post-op. My tastes have all changed and although I liked those shakes before, I can't stand it now. It's strange, I feel it tastes the same as I can remember now but I just don't like it anymore. I loved ice cold Ozarka water before too and now I don't.

Thanks Rick! I just got back from the store with some protien shakes. Chocolate to be exact. I'm hoping those will fill me up better then the Crystal Lite, juices and water. I also stood in line waiting to check out, fighting my mind with whether or not to buy a little bag of M&Ms. It was like a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The angel lost and I am so mad. I think it's just that I'm missing chewing and swallowing. The shakes should do the trick! From the looks of your profile you're doing rather well! Keep up the great work!!! Rebecca

I understand exactly where you are coming from. I had the same cravings while on the pre-op diet. Luckily the angel usually won out but it was very hard. The protein shakes definitely filled me up. I was never hungry when I was drinking them every 2 hours which made it easier to comply. Now that I am post-op, 2 or 3 oz of the shakes is all I can handle - it fills me right up. I don't know if it's that I'm sick of them now from being on them so long but I have to really force even that down now. While on Pre-op I really liked the taste of the Advant Edge Chocolate by EAS best and their Strawberry one 2nd best. I felt I could take them for years because they tasted a lot like Chocolate or Strawberry milk - or as close as possible. The taste is still familiar to me but I can't stand taking it now. I find it strange. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck! now that you have started the protein shakes it should help you overcome that little devil! I sure wouldn't have been able to if all I was taking was Crystal Lite, juices and water. The protein is the key to filling you up.

BTW..you really look a lot like a guy I used to date.

Well, those pics are too revealing and embarassing but they are meant to be as BEFORE pics. I purposely let the gut flop out an all so the AFTER pics will look even better. hehe Hopefully I'll have much better ones to show before too long - at least within a year or so.

Wow Rick, I've just looked at your pictures - there's a huge difference already. You've done really well. Rebecca, I think you are doing really well on the pre op liquid diet. I'm so pleased I don't have to do that. There is no way I would survive! My angel would always loose, ha ha. I always get terrible headaches when I'm on a diet, and was worried what's going to happen after surgery. When I posted this question to other post oppers, they assured me they haven't been getting headaches. The only person who did said it was because she had come off coffee, so if you drink alot of caffeine it might be an idea to cut down now to avoid the headache after. Anyway, stick with it, it's going to be worth it in the end. See you on the loosing side. I'm waiting til 31st

hi rebecca, my surgery is 1june and i started the liquid diet on wednesday, and i thought i was going nuts! yesterday was better until the evening but i had to have real food to eat and i did just that. I only ate some skinless baked chicken. i think i would've done better by replacing meals last weeks w/ liquids instead of going cold turkey i would not be so bad this week. this morning i've done well and not craved anything solid foods.. God speed to you and your surgery..

Rebecca, I CRIED when I had to have a liquid diet for 2 days, let alone 5 or sometimes people go 2 weeks!!! (props to you Rick, I couldn't do it!). The first day I was hungry ALL the time. I did "cheat" and had a few slices of cheese. That was ok. The next day I had to do a bowl prep and didn't want to eat because I was in the bathroom all day! Personally, if you are having a bowl prep the day before surgery, a little food won't hurt you since it will "come out" anyway! Good luck sweetie. Heather

My surgeon did not require a special pre-op diet & I am so glad. I had Japanese steakhouse 2 days before my surgery & loved it. I wish I would have ate more of my favorite foods that last week. I want to chew something so bad right now (18 days post-op & down 28 pounds). Sorry for being the litte devil on the other shoulder. Darlene