1st day of Pre-op diet

Hey all, I just finished my first day of my pre-op diet. It suppose to last 2 weeks. But I am going to freak out if it ends up lasting longer than say 3 weeks (no official date yet). The Doctors office told me to start today so I am thinking that means I am somewhere within 2-3 weeks. It is rough. I am doing a high protein low carb diet. I must say I am already feeling a bit sick of all the protein. Phew. It scares me because I know getting my protein in will be my first priority once I can eat semi normal foods after the surgery. I keep trying to remember though that I won't have to eat as much of it then as I am now. Yeah...>I am actually glad about that!!! I am trying to keep positive. I keep thinking that each pound I loose now is just me getting a head start on the loosing part! But I am worried because I am complaining to you guys after day ONE! I had a little "goodbye to food" meal out with my husband last night. Shockingly I didn't pig out too much. Just had one of my favorite meals a Carrabba's. I think I have been having a several month long "goodbye food" party. So I just kind of was ready for that to end. (I have gained about 6 lbs since learning of my insurance approval! Yikes!!) I also wrote a goodbye to food letter. It sounds corny...but I really think it help with my mindset. (This was something recommended by my psych evaluation therapist). I hope everyone else is doing good. I have been reading all the posts. (It's addictive) Sounds like everyone is excited and freaked out. Just like me! Linda

Hi Linda, Hey you complain all you want, you have every right to do so. My surgery is July 6th, and it can't come soon enough. All docs are different. mine don't require any diet what so ever before the surgery. It's all afterwards. Thank God cause I won't want to eat anyway. But you do what you have to do and I know you can do it. I'm sure you worked really hard to get this far, so just keep up the good work. Hey if you want to talk 1 on 1 e-mail me ok Believe me I do understand. Cheri ps The good bye letter was a good thing I wrote a goodbye letter for alot of things I needed to say goodbye too.

Cheri- Thanks for the support. I wish they didn't have me doing this pre-op diet. However, I can see that it is helping in changing the way I think about food. It also has me aware of how addicted to carbs I am. WOW! (I mean I know I am a food addict...but I don't think I realized how much of a part carbs play in that) It feels different being off them. Isn't that weird? I am hoping this food withdrawl I am having now will make post surgery a bit less emotionally painful. I went to the store and got some low carb protein drinks and bars. It sure is a nice change of pace from plain old meat and eggs. Linda

Hi Linda, How are you doing with yout pre-op diet? I never thought about how addicted I am to carbs, just food in general. May I ask what kind of protien drinks did you buy and where? Let me know ok. Keep up the hard work we know you can do it. Hugs, Cheri

Hey Cheri- So far so good. I have lost 5 lbs already. Jus****er weight I am sure. (Yes, I have been weighing every morning...can't help it). I bought Carb Solutions High Protein Shakes. (it comes in vanilla and chocolate flavor) It's powder that I mix with water and ice in the blender. (The package says jus****er-but I like Ice in it too). I also have a bunch of Nectar Whey Protein Isolate that my MIL gave me (she and my SIL have already had the surgery more than a year ago). I like the Strawberry Kiwi flavor of those. I had to do a 3 month diet prior to applying to surgery. I used these protein drinks a lot- mostly mixed with fruit and stuff. It was better that way. I am sorry I spoiled myself with that- because I can't have the fruit now. My MIL says the Nectar came from Cosco and I buy they Carb Solution ones at my local grocery store. I also have a few samples of others I have tried from my weightloss surgeon's office. I wish I could say I lost a lot on the 3 month diet and am just loosing more now. But I lost about 11 lbs on that (I only took it seriously the last 3 weeks of it) and gained 9 of it back after going off the diet when I was done. Feeling a bit yo-yo like around here. Thanks for the support! Linda

Hi Linda, WOW you lost 5 lbs. already good for you!!!!! Who cares if it's only water, shoot a lb. is a lb. as far as weight goes. I would fell pretty good about myself if I lost 5 lbs., good for you. Thanks for the info on the protien stuff, I need to start and buy that. I bought so much water, cases and cases I'm going to go clean out my closet to store it in, I'm running out of room. I also have cases of all different kinds of insure too. You made me laugh when you said you took your diet serious the last 3 weeks, I can totally relate to that cause God knows how many times I've done that. Keep up the good work. Talk to ta later ok. HUGS, CHERI

I feel for you I really do, but I would give anything to have a low carb pre-op diet. I am on my 6th day of a 3 1/2 week liquid optifast diet. YUM, talk about missing foods. YIKES. I never thought about writing a letter, maybe it would help me. I also gained about 10 pounds since May, when I started this process and decided to pay for it myself. Best of luck to you on your diet, I did the low carb thing for two years, it does get easier. Janice

Janice- Thanks. Your right about the carb getting easier. It already seems better. And I have already lost 6 lbs! (I am sure mostly water weight..but I will take it!) I have to do a liquid for three days prior. So I get to do yours too! However, I don't know how I would handle a liquid for 3 1/2 week optifast and THEN again on liquids after. YIKES! I feel for you. It's good to be reminded it could be worse! Ha! I hope your 2 1/2 more weeks flies by for you! Linda

Thanks Linda, it actually is flying by faster than I thought it would. Weighed this morning and have lost 12 pounds already. 1 week down 2 1/2 to go. Keep us up-to-date on how you're doing. Janice 17 days and counting

Hi Linda & Cheri, My date is 7-6-05 also and my doc doesn't require any pre op but he did suggest more protein as it helps you heal faster. But what research I have done, I am going to put myself on a liquid diet one week before surgery. Along with protein drinks. The liquids also help you prepare for the colon cleansing the day before surgery which from what I hear is PURE HELL... and the extra protein helps your body heal faster. Sue 273/257/?/150 T-9 days & counting