Pre-surgical diet - HELP!

Hello there!  I'm scheduled for Lap Band surgery 9/21 and am in the midst of my pre-surgical diet.  I'm excited for my surgery but having a hard time with protein shakes..... I hate them.  Any suggestions on how I can make it through the next 2 weeks... and post surgical??? I'm scared that i"m going to fail because of this. HELP!

Hey there Heather!

Oh wow, the first few days of the pre-surgical diet are pure hell.  It does get better.  I think the excitement overrides the hunger or your body just gets numb to it.  I remember trying lots of protien shakes to find the ones I did like.  For me, my favorite is muscle milk light from Costco.  In a pinch I like the atkins advantage in chocolate and in vanilla.  If your diet is still the same as mine was, you're allowed oatmeal.  I made the oatmeal a little on the thick side and used the vanilla atkins to cool it down and make it really creamy.  At least I had a hot meal every day instead of just liquids. 

I also have protien powder in a few flavors from GNC.  If you'd like I can get together with you and give you some samples so you don't have to spend a ton to try out a few new protien options.

Tyna :-)

I had the gastric bypass but and my doctor isn't a fan of protein shakes, but did tell me that the EAS protein shakes were okay if I did decide to drink them. I got sick of the flavor of chocolate or vanilla so I would add alittle black coffee or a shot of espresso to change the flavor but not add any sugar or calories.  I love coffee so it helped me alot. 
 


Rachelle

p.s
 
my sister had the lapband alittle over a year ago and lost about 70-75 pounds so there is great success waiting for you

Rachelle, Great tip with the coffee.. I will try that!!!  Thank you!!  I hope that things are going well with you post-op! 

hi Tyna!!
Thank you for the response.  The night I wrote this was pure hell for sure...  I seriously felt like I wasn't going to make it through pre-op!  Since then I seemed to get over the hunger "hump"  and move past it... although I still don't like the shakes I can get the chocolate flavor down if I gulp it.  My only issue now is that I can't seem to get the 4/day required in.  So far the most I've been able to do is 2 a day.  I feel like such a wuss!

Good idea on the oatmeal.... I haven't done oatmeal but it is on the diet plan.  I will try that.

You're so sweet to offer me samples.  I don't want to use up your stash!  We should get together for coffee or something though... it would be fun to meet. 

Thanks again for the support.  I  know I will make it through this... it's just a tough road and I'm having moments of self doubt for sure!

Heather, you didn't mention if your shakes are supposed to be meal-replacement or just protien. Meal replacement shakes contain low-carb, balanced essential nutrition. The high-protien, low-carb variety used in the post-op diet are not always the same, and it is presumed you are taking supplements. I have heard many pre-op folks say they used the sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast during the pre-op phase. Other ways to make a powedered shake palatable are to mix in a small amount of frozen no-sugar added fruit in the blender, using ice to smooth out the texture, or adding sugar-free flavored syrups like DaVinci to taste. You might visit bariatriceating.com for other ideas. Whatever you do, the results are totally worth the effort!

It's true and you are right... totally worth the effort. I had a really rough night and felt discouraged when I wrote the origional post... I guess it was a real down time for me because for some reason I had it in my mind that I would breeze through this pre-op period and not have an issue in the world (duh Heather!)..  Today I feel much better but just worry that I'm not getting enough protein in.

Good thought on the website and the instant breakfast shakes.. I will look into that also!

Thanks so much for the comments.  I am excited about what life has in store for me in the next year... it will be great!