Liquid Diet - Can I have... ?

Ok, so today is Day 1 of liquid diet (no surgery date yet but need to lose 45 lbs before surgery and NP suggested this, and it will also help me get myself prepared for what's to come)...

I have a bunch of questions for everyone who has been there, done that about what you were allowed/not allowed to eat because I can't seem to find consistent answers.

I know that each surgeon has different yes/no lists and I do have a call into my surgeon for clarification.

Were you allowed to have:
98% fat free cream of chicken soup?
Sugar-free creamer with decaf coffee?
Sugar free gum?

And about pureed soups... Were you allowed to have any kind (for example Chicken noodle) as long as it was pureed our did it have to be a carb-free soup, like a basic vegetable soup?

Of course now I can't remember all of the things that have been popping in my head but I'll add to this as I remember.

Thanks for any help/info you can give me!

Denise

Protein is VERY important.  If you can get in mostly protein shakes that would be ideal.  Since you are trying to lose weight before surgery I would suggest making these with water and ice in a blender.  They make protein shakes of ALL different flavors.

I would also suggest staying away from the cream based soups and sticking to clear broths.  Sugar free jello is a life saver when you have a sweet tooth.

What was the reasoning they gave for doing all liquids to lose the 45lbs instead of a specific meal plan?  I'm just curious. 

If there are any additional questions or if I can be of any help I'm happy to do so!

I am doing 3 shakes a day with skim milk (tried water... yuck!). I was just wondering what else might be okay to supplement so I don't chew my arm off, lol. I am not going to be on the liquid diet from here out to surgery, basically a jump start (I needed a kick in the @$$!) to get me back on track with eating well and dieting. Easing myself into it never seems to work for me. I need strict boundaries or else I make excuses for eating what I know I shouldn't. I meet with my nutritionist on Monday and we'll work on a game plan from then out to surgery to get me to the 45 lbs total.

I have fatty liver disease so it's important for me to stick with a diet plan that will help shrink the liver for surgery. If that means a modified liquid diet for the duration to get me there, I'm in. Gotta do what I gotta do to get where I need to be.

So far today I had 2 protein shakes with milk (230 cals, 25g protein each), a sf pudding, and a sf popsicle. For dinner, I'm having ff, low sodium chicken broth with a little bit of kale, mushrooms and onions (I need to chew something... better that than the kids' snacks that are calling me from the cabinet!), and then for 'snack' I'll have the 2rd protein shake. So I'm estimating I'll be right around 1000 calories. Surprisingly, I'm not really hungry but I feel like I need to eat something 'real' so that's why I added the veggies.

At my size and given what I had been eating previously, this should do the trick to drop a few pounds. Also going to try to get in 15 mins of moderate stationery rowing tonight.

Denise

Our surgeon has all his WLS patients on a special diet for shrinking the fatty liver so he can work in the necessary areas. Another reason for the pre surgery diet is to get used to controlling old eating habits, sticking to a food plan, following the post surgical guidelines with a liquid diet first then soft foods, progressing to solids, over a few weeks to months for a good surgical recovery. Now is not the time to add foods not approved by your Dr. The liquid diet is also a pre surgery prep. 

I am 2 years out from my D.S. and prefer to use shakes, protein fruit drinks, and one solid meal a day. Fruit adds too much sugar, preventing weight loss. SF anything is best. Post D.S. some of the sugar free sweeteners/ products are gas causing, like gum.  used to abuse SF gum, haven't had any for 2 years, gave me stomach pain. Check out on line Bariatric suppliers like Diet Direct and Bariatric Choice. they have all kinds of liquid protein. Now is a time to try out as many as you can to see what you like for your post surgery liquid diet. I like the packets of protein lemonade because it's not too sweet, like some of the shakes. The shakes I like are: Dymatize Elite- most  fun flavors- google for suppliers. Medicine Shoppe caries it in the basic flavors and  lots of brands of liquid protein. Sams Club has many types of protein mixes, and ready mixed. I like Premier Protein Chocolate ready to drink, easy to bring in a small cooler in the car, and carry in my purse. Always carry a shake with you to keep from eating out. Another good ready to go is Muscle Milk- Strawberry, chocolate, vanilla. All of these are best cold or with ice. they are 160-170 cal, carbs 4-6- get used to reading the labels for the lowest carbs. We have under 50 to 30 for major weight loss. You can try limiting carbs, not easy for any of us. It is the only way to lose and  maintain weight loss post D.S.

Soups: try the high protein soup packets from Diet Direct, or your surgeons office store if you are lucky enough to have the ability to get bariatric products there, approved by your surgeon. Some love the soups better than the sweet shakes. I prefer sweet. Warm protein beef broth was the only thing I could tollerate for the first 2 weeks post surgery. Your taste changes post surgery because of the anesthesia. Don't stock up on anything because you may not like the taste, this changes very soon. 

Also helpful is to limit your night time activities if you are used to eating then like TV when you usually are tempted to snack. Distractions are good. If TV watching is when you have to munch, go read a book in a different room. Pre surgery I went to bed several hours earlier to avoid post dinner calories. I lost 30 lbs this way. Next I added an afternoon nap, avoiding snack time. I work at home and can take naps. Keeping the protein shakes going throughout the day helps take away hunger. I take Prilosec to calm down stomach acid, helps take away hunger pains. Ask your PCP if you can take Prilosec. Hydrating with water helps too. We have to have at least 64 oz water a day. All fluids count for this total. Get used to carrying a water bottle with you at all times. The best advice is to start a daily journal of anything you eat or drink. Log your weight to watch what works for weight loss, or gaining. Make columns for carbs, fluids, protein. Calories for pre surgery may be helpful, but not necessary post surgery. Journaling helped me the most, and I reviewed my entries with my nutritionist often for her advice. Drink shakes/protein anything often to prevent hunger. Chewing is not necessary at this point. Later, in the solid food stage you can eat all kinds of chewy foods. Remember this liquid stage is only tempoary. 

Best wishes for your WL journey  !!!