Pre-Op Diet Advice

Hello everyone,

I was told to begin my pre-op diet two weeks before my surgery.  Well… that means I must begin on Tuesday.  I am so nervous about this because I know I am going to get hungry.  I understand that this diet is done to shrink the liver and make it easier for the surgeon to operate.  I am so sick and tired of food controlling me.  What have I done to myself allowing food to control my life??  Did any of you have trouble with your pre-op diet???  I know a lady in my support group said she just couldn't do it and only did the diet 4 days before surgery.  Just how important is it to follow this exaclty as the doctor has said to do. PLEASE HELP

 

Good Evening!   You will be fine during this two week period.  Yes, you have to do it!  Depending on your size right now, it mean the difference between LAP RNY and OPEN RNY!  If you keep SF Jello and SF Popsicles on hand you will be fine.  Drink your fluids and the really, the first two days are the worst.  After that, it's no big deal.  Look to the future, look what lies ahead.  A new you.  A you you haven't seen in years or ever.  This is a chance of a lifetime and you don't want to throw it away.  Yes, you will eat a little during these two weeks, but don't over indulge.  I was on my two weeks this time last year, and I made it through, so can you.  You will be fine.  When you get that "head hunger" remember that it is really boredom and old habits telling you that you need to eat.  You are satisfying your body with the "stuff" that is on your diet plan.  Drink your fluids and you will do well.  Take care and let us know if you need anything.  This place is the best support system you will ever find! Beth

You are correct about this being the "BEST" support system!  Everyone is so encouraging!!!  I didn't realize if I didn't do the pre-op the correct way it could mean "OPEN RNY".  When I asked my doctor about what my goal weight should be...he would not give me a number.  He told me that I should loss 80% of my excess weight...I think...does that sound correct??  I even wanted him to add it up but he didn't.  I weigh 283 and I am 5'6".  I have no idea how much weight I might loose because he didn't tell me what my ideal weight should be.  I am going to try my best.  I am pretty head strong about things but I don't have much support in my family.  My mother thinks I am on a diet.  She doesn't know that I am having the surgery as of yet.  My aunt is very supportive of me and has gone with me to my appointments.  She is going to go with me when I tell my mom.  Just tonight, I shared with my mom I had lost 6 pounds and really didn’t say anything positive.  I told her that I was watching my carbs and I was supplementing with protein shakes.  She then begins to tell me how that WOULD NOT work because I would just gain the weight back.  However, just over two weeks ago she was telling me that I needed to loose some weight.  I hope and pray when I tell her that she understands and supports me.  I have prayed for over 1 ½ years for God to guide me to make the correct decision and HE has!!  This is something that I have not taken very lightly at all!!!!  When she told me I would just gain the weight back this is what I told her.  I told her that I would NOT be gaining it back because I was going to make a life change!!!  She said, "You still just might gain it back!" Please pray that she is supportive.  Thanks again for your advice.  I am so thankful to have friends here to support me.

 

I hope that you will be pleasantly surprised when you tell your mother. I can relate to your anxiety about her reaction. I was afraid to tell my mom because she has never been supportive in the past. I put off telling her until I had my surgery date. My mom lives 900 miles from me but I knew that she would eventually learn of the surgery and would be very hurt and upset with me if I didn't tell her in advance. And then there was also that wee, small voice whispering "what if something happens during surgery and you die without telling your mom?" Whew! That really put a guilt trip on me. I was very shocked at my mom's reaction. She has been very supportive...of my surgery. We wound up having a very open discussion of my reasons for deciding on the surgery, how I have tried everything else, my health is getting worse, my weight keeps going up even while on a diet, etc.  I will pray for the same reaction from your mom. She probably won't change in other areas, but hopefully she will stand behind your decision to take control of your health by having this surgery. If not, you will have at least tried and we will be here to support you. It also sounds like you have a good support person in your aunt. Good luck!

Hi My Friend,   I know what you mean as I start my 2 week diet tommorow(remember my surgery is one day before your's).  I know we can do this,  it sounds worse than it is.  I have been low carbing it from April 6th and have lost 28 lbs. so far.  After about 3 or 4 days w/o carb's & sugar's it get a lot easier.  I'll be thinking about you as Tuesday draws near.    

Hi Susan….Yes, I do remember youJ  You have been doing awesome already with your diet.  I have been working on cutting out a few things myself.  I have also joined an exercise program.  I wish you the best and I can’t wait to hopefully meet you in person at the hospital.  When is your pre-op testing?  Mine is June 2^nd and I will be glad to get this done.  I worry about something being wrong and I will not be able to have the surgery.  I have low iron and I asked the doctor if I would still have the surgery.  They said normally just because of low iron the surgery is not cancelled.   I wonder how many surgeries are cancelled due to the lab results.  Do you know how long it takes to get the results??  I feel like I don’t need to build myself up in case something could go wrong.  STRESS!!!  I just need to pray more and remain faithful for God’s will to be done.  I too will be thinking of you tomorrow. 

My testing is this Tuesday, I belive they will be doing blood work, EKG & upper G I ( that one will be fun)LOL .  I have to be there at 7:30, I live about 90 minute's east of Nashville,  What was I thinking taking such an early appt. time?  Maybe I can get ahead of all the morning traffic.  I hope so. See ya.

Pre op diet...Oh my goodness...I started mine thursday...the first couple of days I starved but then it got better...( I am ashamed to say I cheated a bit yesterday at a family reunion) I will be talking to Dr. Morton's office tomorrow to make sure I didn't mess anything up...  Anyway, I started adding ice to my slimfast and blending it...gives it more substance and it takes quite a bit longer to drink...Hang in there...I know pre op diets are important or they wouldn't make us do them...My only advice is to be honest with your dr if you flub up... I still have11 days left of pre op and I plan on being STRICT!! Good Luck...keep us posted on how everything goes!!

Chrissy, could you let me know what you find out at the doctor's office, just in case I do the same thing????  I am using Dr. Lynch who is in the same office.  LOL

Good Luck to all 3 of you!   You will all do fine on the liquid diet!  Just look at it like this, you are setting yourself up for success instead of failure!  Keep up the good work and keep us informed!  I've got to get started on those Losers Benches!