pre-op diet

My husband and I have to go on the liquid diet for seven days. It seems like it will be the hardest part to go thru. Does anyone have any suggestions on what they did to make it any easier? Thanks, Trish T

I'm still pre-op (two weeks to go!) but here a dozen ideas I've been kicking around to keep myself from obsessing about food. Perhaps something may work for you too... Good Luck! 1. Fill up your schedule to keep yourselves REALLY busy with non-food related activities. 2. Get out of the house or at least stay away from the kitchen or the places you usually eat. E.g. go to a museum where you can walk around and food is not allowed; or work on your garden if you have one. 3. Take on craft projects that keep your hands and minds busy. 4. Clean out your drawers and closets - or reorgainize so you can prioritize what to get rid of as you shrink. 5. Pick out movies/books/music to enjoy when you get home post-op. 6. Clean up the house and maybe pick up some candles or flowers or a new plant - something to make your recovery space soothing and supportive. 7. Make a jar of "cookie-less" fortunes. Take a jar and fill it with pieces of paper and on each write a reason why you wanted to have the surgury, or what you are looking forward to doing as the weight comes off, or something encouraging to yourself or spouse. When you need a bit of encouragement, you can pick out a slip to help you true in to why sticking to your eating plan is more important than putting something your body doesn't need into your mouth. 8. Line up a therapist who can support you in dealing with all of the emotions that may come up. 9. Plan activities you can do together post-op. Maybe a celebatory trip, a night out dancing - something that will be special for the two of you. 10. Plan a pamper-spoil day - get your hair done, maybe a facial or a message or reflexology etc. to help you relax. 11. Try yoga deep breathing exercises. I've been told that 10 good slow deep breaths can help shift your mood. 12. Get to sleep earlier than usual.

Thanks Suzanne for the info. It sounds like our diet is nothing compared to yours. We should be able to make it no sweat. GOOD LUCK TO YOU! Trish T

Trish - I think I need to clarify and give context - I am not on liquids for the next two weeks. As a matter-of-fact, my surgeon doesn't have me on any specific pre-op diet at all. I am just struggling not to gain weight (losing a bit would be nice) before 8/11. That said, I am very concered with how I am going to change my eatting habits so I can make this a life-long success story. It scares me when I see so many posts of people who start putting the weight back on post-op. So, I am trying to attack the eating issue from mutliple angles. That is why I started brainstorming what I can do with all of the time I will now have that is not spent eating and to find things to do to keep me from eating in the long run. So, when I saw your post I thought I'd share some of them. My intent was to support you with ideas that could make your dreaded week easier, not offer a comparison of pre-op diets. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I wish you and your husband an easy time and good health. Regards, Suzanne

Suzanne, Sure you don't want to whip up a little brochure to publish or something? Your ideas are awesome! Creative & clever. At the very least you should send in a freelance article somewhere. So helpful, fun, & terrific touchstones for when we're struggling. Thanks, Lisa

Suzanne, I love your cookie-less fortunes idea!!! That is so great... I have been compiling a list of things that I want to do post op that I can't or don't feel comfortable doing now. I am also trying to document, for myself, things that my weight has inhibited me from doing or problems that I have now due to weight so that I can look back when times get hard on the post op journey. I know that it will be a tough road, but I don't want to forget how I feel right now...I need to remember this so that I NEVER get back to this place physically. Heather T.

Trish, I've been thinking about the same things. I loved Suzanne's post with all her ideas. I have to jump on the hobby bandwagon. I love to scrapbook and I've decided to do a scrapbook about my recovery process. If you need scrapbook materials just let me know I have more than I could ever use in a lifetime! I'm going to have my hubby take a photo of me on the first of every month and then during that month I'm going to keep track of all the things I can do for the first time in a long time. Like first bath and first cutting of the toenails and first flight of steps without panting like a dog. I'm also journaling and writing a book. Whether it ever gets published who knows, but I think writing is a great way to spend some time reflecting. It doesn't have to be fancy or grammatically correct, just your thoughts. I have also picked up a couple books I always wanted to read and never have the time. I have also dusted off my Bible. It's been a long time since I did any Bible study but I think I might dive into one on my sick leave. And of course I have my hand list of phone numbers of family and friends who already know that I am not a be by myself person and will probably go nuts sitting at home and trying not to think of food, so they are ready for me to "bother" them during this time. I've enjoyed reading other's suggestions and will keep checking back for more ideas. Great post and good luck with the surgery and recovery and always feel free to contact me for scrapbooking supplies! : ) Kelle'

I have to do a 10 day liquid diet and started early so I'll actually be doing it for about 2 weeks. I'm drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast (CIB) with skim milk or water. That's it. Everyone told me day 3 is hard. It is. I'm starting to get a little shaky and tired. I'm also getting a little anxious which I assume it my body getting ticked off I'm only consuming 600 calories instead of my normal 1700. Here are some tips: Avoid "food porn" That would be the advertisements on TV, magazines, etc. Say "No" I've been invited to Happy Hour and a going away party between now and surgery. I've turned both down. I don't need the temptation or the stress and since surgery is so important, I'm not going to mess it up. My friends are having to just deal with that. Also, I really, really want to go see a movie, but I'm feeling really tempted by hot buttered popcorn. The solution? Don't go. I'm watching DVD's like crazy and trying to keep myself away from temptations I have also declared a food-free personal space around me. I work in a cubicle village and we all end up eating our meals at our desks. There is also an abundance of snacks and candy. I've let me coworkers know that they are not to come to my cube while eating anything or with any food in hand. I've asked them to finish what they have and talk to me when they're done eating. Clean out the house I live alone so I don't have to keep anything in the house I'm not supposed to. I thought I would be OK, but even the frozen veggies are looking good. I'm bagging it all up and taking it to my sister's tonight. Get rid of EVERYTHING you're not supposed to have if you can. Especially your trigger foods like snacks. Stock Up Make sure you have plenty of the stuff you are supposed to be drinking. That way you don't have an excuse to cheat. If you've got a kitchen loaded with broth, CIB, milk and water, there's not a really good reason to go for the frozen pizza (which should be out of the house anyway). Try not to complain You got yourself into this and you'll get yourself out. Try and be positive when you can. Recognize when you're frustrated or having other emotions, just don't settle in to them. You could get yourself in a real funk if you do. Get Distracted Sleep. Play video games. Pay cards. Go for walks. Do whatever ya gotta do to not be sitting alone thinking about how you're not eating. You really won't need to be in constant motion the whole 7 days, but you'll want to have something planned to do if you start to get itchy. Good luck!