Sticking to Pre-op diet - yikes!

Okay - I assume I can't be the only one out there that is having or had a VERY hard time sticking to the pre-op diet.  I am supposed to do a 14 day protein shake and lean chicken diet...........well, this has never been my strong area........I did good for 3 days and royaly messed up yesterday.  I now have 10 more days to go and don't know how I will keep to it.  I've heard that the 7 days prior to surgery are the most important so hopefully I can focus on sticking without any slip-ups for those days.

The whole point of having the surgery is to help with the amount of food, the types and to reduce those cravings........doing this pre-op is very hard.  I realize it is supposed to help prepare us mentally as well as physically, but what if I just can't stick to it so well?

So what I want to know is, what kind of pre-op diet did you do and for how long - also, be honest, did you really stick to it faithfully?  It seems there is a wide range - I know some friends of mine only had a 3 day pre-op diet.

Please respond - I'd really like to hear from others on this....

 I've been on the pre-op diet for a week now - one more week to go - and doing pretty good. I am totally Opti-Fast and clear liquids however. The best thing that has helped is that my husband is doing the liquid diet with me, so I have an accountability partner in him. Since we have no children at home, we also gave away all foods that we could.

You might try removing the tempting things as much as possible and get someone who can hold you accountable. It's not been the easiest thing I've ever done, but the thought of having to put off my surgery has been a strong deterrent whenever I am tempted.

I've read that some people drink a big glass of water, or go for a walk, or find something else active to do to take your mind off things.

Think about the end results! Hang in there - you can make it!

My surgery is Oct. 15th, I'm on liquids, mainly protein shakes, but have "cheated" with chicken noodle soup which I love. I feel terribly guilty with every bite of noodles. But, gosh, I'm starving! I feel like I am being tortured. Christi

I am on the same diet as you.  I have been on it for a week now.  I have some cravings but I know I will have those foods again..  I just have to wait a while and eat a really really small amount of it.. Believe it or not we are the lucky ones a lot of drs won't let the people eat at all just liquids... One person has to say on just liquids for a month prior.  I kindof feel guilty cause I get to eat food. 
I eat a ton of ice chips to get me through... It helps a lot.  I also eat really really slow trying to get my body ready for surgery.  actually retrain my brain.  The weight I have lost in the past week has me pumped.  I can feel my body getting smaller every day.  I haven't and won't weigh myself I was a prisoner of the scale before and will not be again.  I know this time the weight is going off forever.  I figure the more I lose now the easier my recovery will be..
Pray for God to help u.  You don't want the dr to try to get this surgery done and find out he can't once he gets in there because you didn't follow his rules for 14 days.  Don't let your body be cut up and not get this lifechange and find out that some cravings cost you these scars and the dr can't help.  I will pray for you.  but believe it or not we are lucky we get chicken.  My shakes are starting to taste like milk shakes to me.  I get the strawberry high protien shakes form walmart they are equate and as long as they are very cold I really am looking forward to the.
If you find you are actually feeling hungry and it's not ur brain messing with u and u can't do this call your dietition.  I called mine yesterday and she helped me substiute some things to change my diet up a little.  I'ts not that long when you think about it. Another thing shut that tv off at commerical time.  I swear they have subliminal messages for food.  I don't want to watch skinny people pig out on cheesecake.  What the heck. 

You will feel better I know I do.  day 3 was really hard.  I was sick. the other thing stay on here and talk to people they will help you..... sleep if you can. drink a lot... go for a walk... read a book forget about food.  it's hard but u can do it.  drink a lot it will help u feel full

Hello Chandler,
My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2008 but my dr. has not given me any pre op diet accept for the one day before the sugery.  I have been trying to do my own pre diet but, I like you ended up cheating myself.
Please advise how everything is going. 
Sincerely,
Miky

Don't worry about the "what ifs."  Use positive affirmations such as I can do this, I am worthy of a healthy body.  I am a "what if" person but my therapist has helped me and will continue to help me through this process.  I am having Lapband surgery on 10/13/08.  My surgeon only requires a pre-op clear liquid diet the day before the surgery.  I've been on a high protein diet for the last 4 weeks as recommended by my dietician so prepare my body for the changes after surgery.  I considered eating a slice of white pizza this week but you know what - it's not worth it.  I'll feel awful afterward.  I don't need that.  What I need is a healthy body and I am worthy of that.  And so are you so keep this in mind as you move forward.
 

Hi, I haven't had the surgery yet (RNY10/31/08).  Will start my liquid protein diet in 8 days (for 14 days), then clear liquids only day prior to surgery.  No chicken, just liquid protein 3 times a day.  Four, if really hungry according to nutritionist.  They said this is required to get the fat off the liver to help the surgeon to be able to see and work better.  That in itself is motivation to me.  Plus, they said, he will know if you don't follow the diet (fat on the liver I guess).  I will pray for you to be motivated to do this to make the surgery easier on you and for the surgeon.  You are doing this for your health, start now.

Good luck and God bless.

Kathi

My surgery is 10/15 and yeah...this pre-op diet sucks.  I posted a thread in the RNY forum on 10/06.  I am not going to post it here because it was pretty pathetic...lol.  The responses have gone from sympathetic to advise to call my Doctor to tell him what I did to maybe I shouldnt have the surgery.  The thing is...I am committed to the surgery.  I decided that I would try cutting down to 1000-1500 calories.  I know this isnt what my doctor asked but dayummmm....
After 5 days I weighed my self at my doctor's and I havent lost anything.  I decided to try it again and see what happens.  I need to know I gave it a real try and then if I dont lose weight then I can walk away guilt free.  I am not trying to give anyone ideas but I asked around and some people didnt even have to go on a diet at all and I have a friend who has the same doctor as I do and he ate breakfast the day of his surgery.  I think that is plain dumb.  So we are all in this boat together. 
Right now I am craving potatochips and pizza and spaghetti and Big Macs...lol.  I am scared to eat them because I dont want to put weight on!  I have decided that I am going to have a last meal though at a new Greek restaurant that I am dying to try.  Anyway...thats me. I will stop back in to see how you all are doing. XO 
zippy 

 

Hi there,  I am on day 6 of my 14 day preop diet and as of today have lost 13 pounds already!!  I am doing Unjury Protien shakes, clear liquids and I'm allowed 1 low carb yogurt per day.  The first 2 days were awful with sugar and caffeine withdrawls but on day three that all went away.  It's not easy.  I'm craving Subway like you wouldn't believe, of all things, and I've walked into my office twice this week to big buffets of food.  It would be so easy to walk up to that table and help myself but that is what got me here in the first place.   The only thing that i've done that wasn't on the paper my doctor gave me is to put seasonings in my chicken and beef broth but I felt so quilty that I wont be doing that again. 

I get it, it's HARD but you have to stick to it.  If anything just to prove to yourself that you can.  Part of the reason we ate the way we did is to cover up quilt and shame only to feel more after only eating.  I would hate to see you start your weight loss journey on that kind of cycle.

How have you done the last couple days?  Did you get back on track?  Have you stuck to it?   You can do it!  It's 8 days, not forever and we are all here for you and going through this with you.  You are not alone!

Hugs,

m.a.

I am on the 800 calorie, high protein next to nothing carb diet.
Today I failed. It is my first day. =/ I had ramen noodles with my kids. I just need to get into a mind set. Last night I had a personal pizza and just ate the toppings. Lots of veggies.
Like someone had suggested, get rid of all the "temptations".
I just need to get to the store and get my veggies and I will be content.  OH my surgery is 10/23. Just need to get into a routine.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!