Dietician - great consult!

I had my consult with a dietician today. It was almost 2 hours long. Boy, oh boy, did I learn a lot from her! She suggested I start doing some of things they suggest for after surgery. Such as eating a meal without drinking (that will be hard for me) and not using a straw. To be honest I am still trying to "digest" all the information she gave me. I'm going to have to review the packet. There is also a support group that meets at the local hospital. Since I've already missed this month's meeting, I'm going to plan on going to next month's meeting. Did any of you start changing the way you eat, drink, etc. BEFORE you had the surgery and before they put you on a liquid diet prior to surgery? If so, what did you do and how did you do it? Would appreciate any advice you "experts" could give me. Thanks, Debbie D.

Debbie D, I have tried some jerkys and yogurts just to see if I liked them at all. Also have really started the exercise business, my insurance requires a six month physician monitored diet and exercise program, but I really think it is a good thing for me to make me more healthy before the surgery. I also will have a hard time not drinking with meals but I have completely cut out caffiene, no tea, coffee or sodas, only water to drink. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I was a major iced tea drinker. I guess I just want the surgery so badly I'll do anything to get it. Good luck to you on your journey. Lana

I never changed my way of eating. I did start trying to wean myself off diet coke which I felt the day before my surgery was going to be impossible!!! I also bought some rocky road flavored protein powder and used it if I wanted chocolate. Other than that I didn't change anything until the pre-op low fat diet which was 10 days prior to surgery with the day before surgery being only clear liquids. Looking back and knowing my self like I do I would do it the same way again. As far as drinking liquids you could switch to caffeine free tea with slenda or crystal light, Dr. H. lets you count it as water, I am not a water drinker and I don't know if I ever will be. Hope this helps.