Should I or Shouldn't I...

...have a "last meal(s)?" I have been thinking about this lately. Surgery is Tuesday and I just can't decide if I should eat the things I love that I haven't had since January 2nd or should I just say good bye to those foods and move on. I'd love to have a bowl of cereal, chik-fil-a sandwich and waffle fries, popcorn (haven't had this for 19 months because of braces), sesame chicken w/ fried rice and an egg roll (chinese food is my favorite!), a large sweet tea from McD's and a pint of Ben and Jerry's brownie batter ice cream. I've worked hard on this low carb diet and have lost 20 pounds. I'd be pissed if I ate this food and then stood on the scale Tuesday morning and gain weight. I just can't decide... So my question is what did you all do. Did you have a last meal? Why or why not? If so, what did you eat? Thanks! Becky

Becky, You've done so well and gone this long - I wouldn't do it!!!!   I did not have a "last meal", but I did have a last Pepsi.   You've statred weaning yourself off "bad" foods, so it will be easier if you don't go back to them.  Because after surgery - there is no backsliding for us.   I did not want to gain weight before my surgery and have Dr Bauman cancell - which he will do!  So, I stayed on the straight and narrow. Dianne

Part of the pre-diet is to shrink the liver. Splurging on "good by" foods this close to surgery could impact that and make it difficult for the surgeon. I don't know about your surgeon, but I had gained even 1 lb... they would have re-scheduled.

If you have gone this far without it, I'd say you should pat yourself on the back and a giant KUDOS and move on.

Don't do it!!!  20 pounds before surgury - that is wonderful.  Don't mess up now.  My surgeon told me that he actually was in the operating room and opened someone up and could not do their surgury because they ate and ate and ate right before surgury and their liver was too large.  Don't risk it.  And with time, you will be able to eat those things again anyway.  I went out for lunch today to a Chinese restaurant and it was wonderful.  I am only 5 1/2 months out.  So don't think you will never be able to enjoy those foods again.  You will!!!!!! - just in limited amounts.  Good luck to you on your upcoming date.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Donna

For you... I would say no - you have been sticking to your plan since Jan 2nd - why 'mess' it up at the 11th hour? I personally had many last meals... however I started to change my eating habits 9 months before I had surgery. I also had to do a two week liquid pre-op diet... the 2 weeks before that I ate like crap then stuck to the liquids. (you asked what I ate, its more like what DIDNT I eat?) You know what? You can eat all of those things you mentioned post-op if you so choose... you may not be able to eat them right away but further out you can - it doesnt mean you will but you can. I eat cereal many days, I love chikfila but opt 99% of the time for the grilled chicken versus fried and I will eat maybe 3 or 4 waggle fries, I love popcorn, have had honey garlic chicken, fried rice and egg roll, I hate sweet team and I go to ben and jerrys for their NSA ice cream. While I dont eat these foods often I do have 'treats' now and then... I am also eating 25% the portion size I use to.  So basically dont throw away all your hard work this late in the game... you will be so proud to have stuck thru this to the end and there will time to eat later :-)

Thanks you guys! This is the reason I love this board. I know in my heart it would be stupid to eat something now. It's just my mind playing tricks on me because of this low carb crap. haha. I'm totally bored with it all. In due time I'll get all the things I like, except for maybe the Ben and Jerry's because of sugar. I'm proud of myself because I went cold turkey on carbs, sugar, and caffeine. I really don't want to screw up now. Thanks again for your voices of reason.

Giving up Carbonated Beverages was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I was tempted so many times right before surgey to just have a sip of one for old time's sake.   I had to really talk myself out of it but it was one of the best decisions I made.   Hang in there!

I went to the doc today for my presurgical consult.  My surgery is 2/19.  He explained the reason we have to be on liquids the last 2 weeks is to help shrink the liver and give easier access to the stomach during surgery.  He said that sugars and carbs store crap in the liver and that enlarges the liver.   Based on all that, it would appear to be a bad move. Good luck on your surgery!!

Becky, I was soooo tempted to cheat (yes the low-carb thing leaves you with so many temptations,) but I didn't.  I was to focused on wanting a successful surgery.  I didn't want to risk plumping up my liver.  It sounds like you've already made up your mind to stay away from the "last supper syndrome.", and I'd just like to say Good for You!  You have worked so hard to this point and I would be willing to bet that none of those foods would actually taste as good as your mind thinks they would.  Plus, you will be able to eat all of those things at some point after surgery.  You won't want them right away, but as time goes on, you can have them.  You'll just have small amounts and will be satisfied.  Yeah, really!  You'll be satisfied!  :)  You probably could even have a few bites of the full on Ben & Jerry's brownie batter ice cream and then call it quits.   Good luck to you. 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'nuff said?