Did you stick to your pre- op diet?

My doctor has me eating like I will after the sugery. No caffiene, no sweets, lots of protein, no drinking 30 min before, after or during... I can still eat my normal amounts, just no good stuff. Did you do this? I'm not doing well.  Feedback, please

My surgeon doesn't curtail caffeine, but I think it's a wonderful idea to get used to eating a new way.  Not drinking before and after meals is tough to do, but it's necessary for long term success.  It's not easy, but at least you're eating your normal amounts.  It's so hard to cut down when you're dealing with a regular stomach. You can do this and after surgery you HAVE to do this!

Change is something you will need to embrace. If your dotor is wanting you to curtail thing - follow his/her lead. Once you graduate (1.5 yr) you will find you can eat anything in moderation. It's important that you not look at this suggestion as a negative.  You're mind is the most powerful tool next to the surgery. Empower yourself to think positively and you will be very successful! I wish you the best in the journey.....

Thanks for the kind words. Q, congrats on your sucess.

There are a variety of reasons why this is done. First, is so that you can get a realistic picture of your diet post-op. Also to see if you have what it takes to embrace change. There is no sense in having surgery if someone is unable (or even unwilling) to adhere to a diet.

The most important reason is to reduce your BMI so to improve your odds of having the surgery lap v. open; and to reduce the size of your liver for the same reason.

When you state that you aren't doing well, can you elaborate? Not well as in you are adhering to the diet and not enjoying it, or not doing it at all?

I am not doing well because I am eating more than 3 or 4 times a day and I'm eating sweets. Not a lot or bad really bad ones, just ww and 100 cal snacks.

That's not as bad as it could be. Sounds like what would be effective is the "stair step" approach. Gradually remove the WW and 100 cal snacks, fill up on proteins. You know how after you eat Chinese food, a full meal, your hungry again a short time later? That's because the foods are carb-heavy, like desserts. Focus on protein dense meals that will abate hunger, then work on reducing the number of meals per day.

HTH.

I think you have and excellent surgeon! My surgeon had me on a "diet" to shrink my liver but did not suggest practice no drinking within 30 minutes of eating or cutting out caffein but I did them both on my own. I figured going through caffeine withdrawl before surgery would be better than while my body was recovering. Also...  getting in the habit of the drinking this is very hard and it's a good idea to do this before surgery so that it just makes the whole transition easier on you. I tried to do a lot of things before surgery that I knew I'd have to do after surgery including cutting out all alcohol. I wasn't a big drinker but I'd like  to have a glass of wine or 2 when out with friends. So I started getting in the habit of drinking water when I was out instead and found it was just fine.  The most IMPORTANT thing your surgeon has you doing and I really applaud him for this is that he wants you to up your protein. Protein really helps with healing and I swear that is the biggest reason I flew through my surgery with ease. It amazed me and others how quickly I healed and how good I felt right after surgery. My surgeon never suggested any of those things but just reading online I learned.  I think more surgeons should give this advice!

I was 600lbs. when I first started seeing my surgeon and I was put on the Post-op surgery lifestyle of pure protein 8 months prior to my actual surgery day. This was hard at first with the sizes of my meals I was eating and how frequently. But every month I would make my portains smaller and cutting carbs to which I had cravings for just as a smoker has when quitting.  I was so glad I did this as after surgery we're down to much much smaler portains such I was an ounce having had the RNY. But I've read, spoken and heard of others who were not prepared. And felt as though They had made a Big Mistake, But if they'd cut back it's just so much easier. I lost 40 pounds prior to surgery and have lost another 160 since receiving my Gifted Tool as were told. I got tired of water and now use many WalMarts brand of Crystal Light which is a Zero Calorie drink.  Remember if it's white don't eat it. Such as potatoes, Flour which is breads, Pastas and Rice. As Carbs will only make you crave more Carbs. You can eat the Pizza toppings but not the crust. So it's Meats, Fish, Chicken, Pork, Eggs, Some veggies before surgery and cheeses. Best of dreams will come your way soon,  Mike