Please Help! Day 4 of 14 pre-op clear liquid diet

I am struggling. Very tired of jello and juice. It's hard to get in my 1,000 calories a day, plus 30 grams of protein. I'm kinda getting sick to my stomach when I "eat" anything. I know the liver has to shrink prior to surgery; and that they want your weight to be reduced as much as possible . . .

I've put unflavored protein powder into broths and jello. Tried it in fruit juice but, after mixing it in a blender, it was really foamy and doubled in size (besides not being very pallatable). I'm not one to complain, but two weeks does seem like a very long time to be on a clear liquid diet (no milk based products allowed).

If anyone has any ideas or if you could just share with me how you got through this 14 day phase, I'd very much appreciate it.
      ~Sandy~

Hi Sandy,

I am sorry you are struggling so much with this two week eating plan.  Keep focusing on your end result because that's what's important.  Getting to the operating room takes some discomfort and this is part of it.

Have you tried chicken broth?  I loved that and ate quite a bit of that.  Also liked liquid Jell-O.  I mixed it with double the water, or else I just drank it warm when I made it.  Are you allowed to have Gatorade?  I can't remember if I could have it or not, but that is something that would be a different flavor for you with some nutrients too.  

Wish there was some magical answer for you but when you are on this short term eating plan, the options are few.  Focus on your goal and not on what you are deprived of.  If you can do that, you'll make it.  This is just the beginning of eating the right way for the rest of your life and you can do it.  Keep trying and don't give up because you need to be in the right shape to have your surgery.

Keep posting and letting us know how things are going.  Maybe others have more suggestions for you, too.

Hang in there..........you're almost to the operating room and it won't be long now!

Carol

Hi there,
   I know it's hard, been there done that and have to do it again. I survived on sheer will. Try putting the spicy V8 in with beef broth and heating in the microwave, I don't remember who suggested this to me but it's good and kind of like soup. lol. I snarfed my protein with water..disgusting but the brand I had didn't jive with anything else that I was allowed. Know this..Dr. G is awesome and strict and there is a reason why his patients thrive. I bought some Popsicles at Wal-mart that had lots of different flavors...mango, pineapple they had sugar free and regular. I loathe Jello so that was hard too. Feel free to ask anything. Though I have not had surgery..Dr. G told me I was pregnant with my 3rd whilst on the table awaiting surgery...so now she is 10 months and gearing up for another try. Good Luck with everything! 

Just  hang  in  there ,  it  will  be  worth  the  trouble.  I  plan  to  just  follow the  schedule     they  have  in  the booklet  and  focus  on  the  schedule  rather  than what  I  am  eating.  maybe  that  will  help. 
  I  am  not  getting  excited  because  they  don't  get  in  an  hurry  getting  you  a  surgery date  so  i  am  just  going  to  do  my  own  thing  and  if  it  happens it  happens.  
     Keep  in  touch     Karen

Sandy   How  are  you  doing??   Karen

Hi! I'm doing okay. It's really hard for me to get in the full 1,000 calories a day. I just get tired of "drinking."
I get in my potassium by having 16 oz. of orange juice a day; the protein is a bit of a struggle. I put it in my broth and jello and the V-8 Fusion but I sometimes fall short of the required 30 grams. I've learned of a drink (IsoPure Plus) which has 15 grams of protein in one bottle (8 oz.) so I'm thinking that will definitely be something I'll get -- will be especially helpful post surgery. I believe GNC stores sell it or it's available on-line at a better rate. Seven more days of this phase and then the surgery on the 14th!

I've been exercising 20 minutes a day on my recumbent bike (I have a fused ankle, shortened leg and replaced knee, so things like "walking" are out for me. As it is, I have to "velcro" my foot to the pedal in order to make the rotations! I LOVE lap swimming, but it's hard to find a pool in this area). Eventually, I'll increase the exercise to 30 and then 45 minute sessions. But, for now, on under 1000 calories a day and at my current weight (339 -- down from 352!), it's enough. My heart rate is definitely staying at the target heart rate for 30 minutes total!

I'm re-reading some of my gastric bypass books, especially the ones that have to do with the emotional/psychological aspect of this surgery. I know that, eventually, hunger, especially "head hunger" returns and I know my struggle will be to not turn to food for comfort (boredom, stress). I really think this should be stressed more in the educational aspects of weight loss surgery: that you have to change your RELATIONSHIP with food, forever, or the old habits, and thus the weight, will come back on.

I have my pre-op visit this coming Monday. Excited to finally talk in person with Dr. G. and to meet the nurse, Mary, whom I've spoken with lots over the phone. I'll let you know how that whole process goes.

Hope things are going well for you and everyone! This is for LIFE guys! Stay the course!!
    ~Sandy~

I'm glad to see you are getting through it. Mary and Kim are beyond awesome. Dr. G is well...there is no words to describe how fab he is! Keep it up! 

BTW..I sent you a friend request.

Hope  it  is  a  good  visit with  the  Dr.  I  have  to  go  to the  pulmainary  Doc  on  the  13th.  It  better  be  my  last  test.  
    The  isopure  at  GNC  is  good  but  i  think  it  comes  in  larger  bottles.  Like  40  grams  of  Protein,  I  drank   the  melon  apple one  this winter.  It  is  ok.  The nutricionist  said  it  came  in  small  bottles  at  WM  but  I  could  not  fine  it anywhere  I  went.    Just  get 1  bottle  of  the dif  flavors  and  see  which  one  you  like.  They  say  the  grape  is  the  best  seller but  i  am  not  a  grape  drink person.  I  will  get  the others  when  I  finally  need  them.
   Hope  your  having  a  good  week .  Karen

Sandy  Have  not  heard  anything  .  How  are  you doing?  Will be  thinking  of  you  Thur.  Karen