Starting 14 day Preop Diet in the morning. I'm scared

So, in the morning I start my 14 day preop diet. It'll be the strictest diet I've ever been on. I'm a major worrier and I'm scared about everything it seems. I dont know how I'm going to make it through this next 14 days, or surgery, or the life changes after, etc...

Can I do it? I keep hoping that someone will tell me that I can't do it so I don't have to be scared anymore. Yes, I'm in therapy. It's just hard to understand how I can succeed after so many failed attempts at weight loss.

I have my preadmission and anesthesiologist appts tomorrow. Then, I'm going to stick around for support group in the evening.

Anyone have any calming words or mantras that I can tell myself? This is normal, right? lol

You will do amazingly.   As a newbie myself, being only about  3 1/2 months out, I remember feeling the same way not too long ago.  Worrying if I was going to be the freak that didn't eat or if I was going to make it through all this pre op craziness but I'm glad to tell you that I'm the happiest right now that I have ever been.  Today, I went shopping and bought a size 18 pants when just 3 1/2 months ago I was wearing 26's.  I'm down from 3x tops to a 1x.  And the shopping is just one of the many perks, I can walk around all day and not be tired, walk up and down stairs without getting winded and working out more than I ever have and actually loving it!  This weekend my husband and I went out of town for the weekend and had a steak dinner for his birthday, I actually ordered some soup and then he sliced me off a piece of his filet and I was satisfied, didn't even eat all of it.  I have never once felt like the freak when eating and have always found something that I can eat if I go out to dinner with friends and family. Now, I'm just enjoying their company more and not making it all about the food.  I will tell you, the two weeks pre op and the first two weeks post op, suck, they really do suck but as you get into the mushy stage and then eventually back onto normal food, you will feel better as the days go by.  Just take one day at a time and trust me, each day gets better and better.  Wish you the best of luck!

HI Tracey,

 I am almost finsihed with my pre op diet.. I don't know what you can drink or maybe even eat on  your diet.. I found that at times of hunger, sf gum helped me, that chewing.. I could have protein shakes, I liked the already made kind, and sf jello, and popsicles.. I also could have broth, and I drank crystal light, decaf tea and coffee..

It is hard on all of us, you will do great, it will be hard, but you can do it!!!

It will be over with in no time, and like everyone says when you are first starting out, the first three days are the hardest.. You may also experience headaches, if you use to be a coffee drinker before, just your body getting use to the no caffeine..

I wish you ALL the luck on your no beginning of a new journey.. I have surgery in a few days.. Good luck to you, and stay strong..

Susan

When I was on my pre-op diet, I was hungry constantly. It was not easy. But I put myself in the zone. And when I thought about eating something I wasn't supposed to, I would say to myself 'How bad do I want this surgery?' Say it to yourself when you feel like you might not make it. How bad DO you want it? the more irritated your stomach is during surgery, the more chance you have of problems. Shrink your liver girl! You can do it! I also had major restrictions for my pre-op diet. No wheat, gluten or dairy. I did it. So can you.  Have faith in yourself and keep going to therapy.

Go for it and don't look back.

Now, I only had a 7 day preop diet but I found the first three days to be the worst, mainly due to caffeine withdrawal. I totally agree with kbossio, I had to keep talking to myself about how badly I wanted the surgery and wanted it to be safe, how thankful I am to have this chance to lose weight, how many others with weight problems before me have made it through with flying colors.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

I'm 4 days in on my pre-op liquid diet, starting day 5 on Monday!

My pre-op is a lot more restrictive -- it only includes 4 Diabetic Boost shakes, water and crystal light.

I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but it's been fairly easy.

The key -- is to get lots and lots of water in, as a filler between meals.   I'm a bit hungry now, but I should be sleeping : )

It was a lot easier than I thought, after reading about how horrible it was on here.   I guess I was expecting not to be able to do it -- but I'm thinking of it like the rebirth of a whole new me -- and I'm worth it!

Wishing you all the best!  You'll be great.

I went through my pre-surgery 3 week trial liquid diet already and am still waiting on my surgery. During those 3 weeks I had no hunger and felt very satisfied. I attribute this to having been on 1200 cal before, cutting my sugar, carb intake and experiencing that withdrawl you all talk of with headaches and hunger etc. Mind you a person can not only have the hunger aspect but the "head hunger" is a whole other issue to have to work through and deal with. In those 3 weeks I had lost 23.6 lbs. I then returned to my 1200 cal and went into a 4 week stall..OMG what a learning experience...but now the scales are moving again and all this is beneficial for me when i have surgery and continue on my journey.

Here in Nova Scotia the Weight Loss Program before surgery is very different than other places as I am sure where you are, it's different as well from all you have read. Important thing is to follow the plan given and you will do fine. Read what others say, sift through the info for the things that may help you but never alter the plan given by your doc. Support is very important and will get you through those rough times.

KNOW you are doing this properly and WILL NOT FAIL!!  We all have been there..repeated attempts failed before, but NOT THIS TIME. Continue working on yourself and those behaviours and habits  that need changing and YOU WILL DO IT!!

Keep up the good work tracey and keep on your plan... you CAN DO IT!!!

You are going to do great............You have come so far already. Think of all the people who dont even think they have a weight issue. I am 6 days post op. I feel great. My pre op diet lasted exactly 2 weeks.   The first day or two i felt hunger pains but after that i was never hungry. Believe it or not i have not been hungry since. It baffles me but my dietician said it is normal after surgery to not experience hunger. I feel completely satisfied adn I am enjoying what I eat today.

Hi Tracey!  Ok - deep breath - you are over thinking this!  You can do this - one shake at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time!  If you do slip, try to make it with a lean protein slip - that will be the least problematic for you!  You will be fine - the first three days will suck monkey butt - after that you will probably find it much easier.  Keep sf jello and sf popsicles in stock - they help with the need to chew.  You're strong - you got this - don't think it, just do it!

Think of it as a vacation from the battle with food -- you know: "I shouldn't eat this," "I should eat that."  Give yourself no options.  Do exactly what the doctor said to do, and don't even entertain the thought of anything else. 

And drink water like a fish.  It will help wash the crap out of your system and make the cravings less.  As someone said, the first few days are the worst. 

Also, don't let yourself get hungry.  Anytime you have the slightest hunger pang, suck down some broth or a protein shake or whatever you are allowed.  Keep something going in your mouth constantly.

Best wishes!  It will be over before you know it.
--Dorothy