Huge Question!

   Okay, so I tried to start my pre-op liquid diet today....it went fairly well for most of the day, but when it got about 7 pm I just HAD to have something to eat.  I need to know how you all did the 2 week preop liquid diet for Dr. Richardson.  I definitely need some pointers lol.

I did the liquid diet but some days I was really hungry so I ate a small lean cusine for supper. But I only did it when I was so hungry I couldn't take it. Pattie

That doesn't sound too bad...  I figured I would have to do the same thing too because it's going to be way intense to only drink liquids the whole 2 weeks haha.

Dr. Kennedy (who was with Dr. Richardson) told me if I was dying to have something, I could have a piece of lean meat (like chicken) and a salad with no fat dressing (no cheese or meat). So, of course, I had that every single night of the 12 days I was on the liquid diet. I followed everything to a T but did bake a chicken breast in broth every night and have huge salad with fat free dressing. I honestly don't think I'd have made it otherwise. Also, I saved one of my two allowed sugar free popsicles to eat immediately before going to sleep. For some reason they made me feel full so I could go to sleep (I can't go to sleep hungry--never could). Anyway, I lost 13 lbs. during those 12 days and had no problems with my surgery. Good Luck!!!! Jen

Aw, thanks for that advice!  You know when you see Lara the dietitian, she's all about "ONLY LIQUIDS FOR 14 DAYS STRAIGHT!" and I'm just like omg what if I mess up and eat something out of desperation? haha...I figured if I became that desperate I would eat a little something, it's not like you're in the bowel prep for 2 weeks, it's just a little quick fasting diet basically to shrink all your organs up...but thanks for that advice, no one has ever told me that.

i'm definately not looking forward to starting my liquid diet.  i start on 2/29.  Lance, are you drinking any protein shakes?  If so, what brand?  I am going to try muscle milk light.  My husband drinks it occassionally, 25 grams of protein per serving.  I have an appt with dr richardson on 3/4 to sign consents for surgery (having surgery 3/14).  good luck!

I stayed on the liquid diet for 15 days and only cheated one time. I stuck my finger in some hummas dip and licked it    When I got too hungry I just drank another shake. Also, the broth from chicken noodle soup really helped to satisfy me. LOTS of broth, no noodles. After the 3rd day, I didn't feel hunger anymore and the diet got easier and easier. I didn't feel hungry again until I ate carbs. Now I'm suffering with hunger pains constantly and thinking I need to drop all carbs again. They make me hungry. Good luck, and if you MUST eat, just stick to pure lean protein like a chicken breast.

Aww, you guys are amazing! I love this website.  It really has helped calm any fears I had for having surgery for weight loss with seeing all of you doing so well and giving such great advice.  And I have a couple more days before I HAVE to start the diet, I'm just taking it slow right now, priming myself for the "jump into the cold water" so-to-speak of starting the 14 day fast haha.  Yeah, and I have to see Dr. Richardson on this Thursday (2/28/08) for my final consult and all. Also, I do drink protein shakes, but I make them with a twist and if this is too many calories for you you can cut out the ingredient I use (the Slim Fast one) (I'm a diabetic btw).  I use one scoop of Body Fortress (15$ at Wal-Mart by the vitamins in the Pharmacy) Chocolate (there's different flavors) Whey Protein and that gives me 26g of protein.  I put ice in a blender with one can of Creamy Chocolate Slim Fast Low Carb and that has 20g of protein in it.  I also add about 4oz of skim milk because that's not quite enough liquid.  And one other thing I do is put about a half pack of sugar/fat free pudding in and I used a White Chocolate kind.  So all together it's about 380 calories, 15g of carbs, and 47g of protein.  And I have that for breakfast.  I haven't gotten any further with that because during the day I make a fruit smoothie with Diet V8 Splash and real fruit (bad I know) and eat a small supper.  I'm about to go full liquids though, I am just trying to transition myself slowly so I don't jump feet first into it and realize I can't do it or something.  Thank you guys!

For the same amount of protein you can get the gladiator at smoothie king and it is only 180 calories. I sometimes get the chocolate gladiator made with coffee and i mix in the sf instant cheesecake or white chocolate pudding mix and it is great. Other than that I usually do the vanilla with a 1/4 pineapple which adds 35 calories to it but it is alot less than the 380 calories your doing, because remember we are supposed to stay around 600 calories for shakes on that 14 days liquid diet.

My nutritionist said we could have Cream of Wheat made very creamy. That helped me get thru the "I need to chew phases" I cheated once and had a grilled chicken breast. Because my surgeons office was strict about the no solid food. But it did get better after the first two days. It prepares you for after too, I had 2 weeks of liquids after surgery. So I already knew what I liked and what I didn't by that time.
~jamie