Help...I just don't understand

Okay guys, I'm on this pre-op diet and I'm really frustrated.  First of all, I'm not that crazy about sweets, so the fact that I'm encouraged to eat Jello, pudding, yogurt, popsicles, protein shakes (which are sweet), etc. is really becoming a challenge.   Secondly, I'm lactose intolerant.  The pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, and other dairy foods are driving my tummy CRAZY!  I just don't get it.  Are these really my only choices? So, for day one, my food consumption was... Whey Protein Shake = 130 cal; 6 carb; 22 pro EAS Protein Drink = 110 cal; 2 carb; 17 pro SF Jello Cup = 10 cal; 0 carb; 0 pro SF Pudding Cup = 60 cal; 13 carb; 2 pro SF Yogurt = 100 cal; 19 carb; 5 pro FF Cottage Cheese = 80 cal; 7 carb; 14 pro Chicken Broth = 24 cal; 4 carbs; 2 pro Cream of Mushroom soup = 250 cal; 22 carbs; 3 pro SF Pudding Cup = 60 cal; 13 carb; 2 pro Totals:   824 cal; 86 carb; 67 pro My goals were <1400 calories; 140-150 carbs; 40-50 protein And, today, I eat... EAS protein shake  110 cal; 2 carb; 17 pro SF pudding cup  60 cal; 13 carb; 2 pro SF Jello cup  10 cal; 0 carb; 0 pro SF Yogurt  100 cal; 19 carb; 5 pro tomato soup  140 cal; 31 carb; 3 pro 1/2 c. cottage cheese 80 cal; 7 carb; 14 pro 2 c. broth (ramen) 44 cal; 2 carb; 2 pro popsicle  50 cal; 13 carb; 0 pro Totals:  594 cal; 87 carb; 43 pro I'm really trying to get the hang of this pre-op diet, and I'm not dying to eat more or anything.  It's just that I don't see choices that are viable or palatable.  I'd just as soon sip on water all day and go to bed hungry than have the cramps and diarrhea that I have due to the excess dairy. Is this really all there is?  Can't I eat super watery oatmeal or cream of wheat?  I need to get more carbs in (so broth won't cut it), but I'm going overboard on the sweet & dairy products. Surely I'm missing something here. Cathy

Hey Cathy, If I were you, I would give Betty at Dr. G's a call.  She is great about having ideas on what to have and I know she won't mind talking to you. I myself did a lot of broth with spices in them.  I had a hard time with the sweets as well, but did it anyway. Bless your heart - it will pass. In the mean time, I will also email Betty to see if we can come up with a better list of ideas. Hang in there! Tonja

Wow---how many days do you have to be on the pre-op liquid diet?  I only have to do five days and tomorrow is my clear liquid day which is the hardest to do for me.  I don't like the SF jello but the SF pudding is OK.  This is the second time I've had to do the liquid diet since my surgery was postponed.  I really sympathize with you because I'm starving too!!!!!  Sorry you're having problems with dairy.  Maybe your nutritionist or dietician can recommend other food choices.  I would like to have tomato juice or V8 but they're not on the list. 

Soy milk and whey protein-won't help the sweet but will help the dairy. Vegetable broth with a shot of soy sauce (low sodium). Tomatoe juice or V8* with a s shot of worceshire sauce. tomatoe juice or vegetable broth with chili seasonings (tasty tasty). They make a tastless protein that you can add to all of the above for your protien needs. If you can eat cottage cheese I bet you could whip up some to****ame texture) and you can spice that up to taste like anything.

Thank you for all of your responses. I called and talked to Betty today.  She stated that the pre-op diet has to be flexible, as so many people have a variety of intolerances.  Therefore, I'm now eating a bowl of cream of wheat (watered down), and will have some blended chicken-noodle soup tonight. As long as I don't go over my limits of calories, carbs, and protein, I should be okay. Thanks again! Cathy

Shucks I missed this yesterday!   You do not have to eat the pudding or popsicles its recommend to help you get fluids in. I personally have problems with yogurt, cottage cheese and milk.  I  have used water, to cut everything so the "milk" would not make me sick.  If something is to sweet, I dilute it.  I have bought unflavored protein powders and have mixed them with tomato juice and with broth. Just make sure that the broth is not hot.

With my pre operative diet I am allowed 3 or 4 ounces of lean meat and a half a cup of steamed veggies, for an evening meal. But after day 7 its suppose to be all liquids.    Cathy I have been on this since July 19 so i do understand how you are feeling. You don't have that much longer till you are off of it and then its your big day! You can do this and I have confidence in you.  Unfortunatley I am going to be on it for another couple of weeks...

Hi,

            If it will go through a straw and is low carb & low fat; it’s fair game.   Tomato soup, cream of chicken, and sugar free cocoa are some good options.  If you are like me, Tabasco helps the taste of most things.  You can puree low fat chicken noodle, add some vinegar, soy sauce, cayenne and garlic and you have quasi-hot & sour soup.  There are other low fat soups that can be pureed as well.  Hunts tomato sauce plus a little margarine (for taste), salt & pepper and you have a thick tasty tomato soup.  Syntrax Nectar protein drink in “Fuzzy Navel” or “Roadside Lemonade” taste great and are lactose free (23 g protein, 0 fat, & 0 carb). 

 

 

Terry

03-28-07

527/480/416/250 lb.

High/preop/(7-17-07)/goal

Pattye & Terry, Thank you so much for the ideas.  Day four was much easier.  And, my stomach is recouperating from the massive intake of dairy. Thanks again for the support! Cathy