Day 4 of Opti and struggling

anncha
on 2/16/18 1:48 pm

I'm on day 4 of Opti and I'm struggling today more than I have. I'm really really hungry. I've just had my 3rd shake and some veggies but I'm ravenous. I'm exhausted and grumpy.

Please tell me this gets easier? My family are fending for themselves food wise (hubby and 2 girls age 9 and 3) because I just don't trust myself to prepare their food and not eat any of it. I had a tbsp of peanut butter on day 1 and felt so guilty that I've avoided touching anything I'm not allowed.

I know this is the "easy" part and preparing me for after surgery but I didn't expect it to be so hard.

Referral to Sudbury: April 28th 2017, Orientation: July 19th 2017, 1:1's: Dec 14th 2017, Follow up with NP: Jan 9th OTN: Jan 18th, Pre-Op: Feb 12th, Surgery: Feb 27th - 2 weeks of Opti. Hospital: St. Joseph's TO with Dr Sullivan.

Height: 5'11, age 38. SW: 323lb CW:196lb

Stitch83
on 2/16/18 2:36 pm
RNY on 02/26/18

It's definitely hard! I really struggled the first few days. And the level of exhaustion is hard core. Can you have broth or sugar free jello? I found I had to space the shakes out the first few days at every three hours and then if hungry in between I had a cup of broth and then a cup of jello at the next in between. Also drink lots of water. The first five or six days are the hardest and then t becomes more routine. The other thing is if it's just the head saying you're hungry rather than actual physical hunger make sure you have stuff to occupy you this weekend, not being busy was hard on the weekend because it didn't keep my brain off the fact that I wanted food.

HW: 285 SW: 260 CW: 134 Dr. Grantcharov, St. Michael's

Referral: May 2017 Orientation: June 5/17 Nurse: Aug. 17/17 Doctor/Dietician/SW finished by Dec. 11/17 Surgical Ed. Class: Dec. 18/17 Surgeon: Jan. 9/18 Surgery: February 26, 2018!!

helferships
on 2/16/18 2:56 pm
RNY on 11/14/16

I found the Opti stage to be the hardest as you're still hungry now but you likely won't be hungry at all for a long time after surgery. It's totally worth the struggle though so be strong!

SweetRide1
on 2/16/18 2:51 pm
RNY on 01/16/18

I did my two shakes morning and noon. Then had a third around 4:00 pm. I made a dinner of steamed vegetables and actually sat down and ate them as meal. My final shake was at 9:00.

In between I had jello, broth, herbal teas, water, flavoured water.

By the end I was just in a groove and it was OK. Try getting more fluid in to fill you up in between.

Keep at it...you can do it!

Referral - May 31/17; Orientation - June 15/17; First Appt Nurse - June 26/17; Bloodwork and ECG - June 27/17; Sleep Study - July 5/17; Dietician Appt - July 10/17; Counsellor Appt - July 10/17; Abdominal Ultrasound - July 10/17: Endoscopy/Colonoscopy - July 25/17; Second Dietician Appt - September 14/17; Internist Appt - October 2/17; Meet the Surgeon - November 21/17; Pre Surgery Nutrition Class - January 12/18; Surgery - January 16/18

(deactivated member)
on 2/16/18 3:08 pm

This is not the easy part. Opti is the hard part. You are doing everything on will power alone. It does get better but don't be hard on yurself.

Hang in there. You got this. Also. I outlawed peanut butter in my house. I could not stop are the right amount.

anncha
on 2/16/18 3:22 pm

I'm allowed 2 cups of green veggies per day and broth so I made a little broth and stir fried the rest of my veggies putting in chilli powder and it really made me feel like I was having a meal. I think that'll be the key for me. Even though it was one cup worth.

My shakes are spaced out 9,1,5,9. I'm drinking 2.5-3lts of water on top of the shakes.

Tonight I felt really ashamed of myself in that I went to pick my daughter up from daycare and left my wallet at home because I didn't trust myself not to cheat and call in somewhere on the way back. I really wish I had more will power. Trying to be positive and tell myself at least I done something proactive when I knew I might waiver.

I honestly didn't anticipate this being so tough and I know a lot of people breeze through this and say they wi**** was as easy post op.

However my mini stir fry has really helped. Now if the bloody headache would do one that'd be great.

Referral to Sudbury: April 28th 2017, Orientation: July 19th 2017, 1:1's: Dec 14th 2017, Follow up with NP: Jan 9th OTN: Jan 18th, Pre-Op: Feb 12th, Surgery: Feb 27th - 2 weeks of Opti. Hospital: St. Joseph's TO with Dr Sullivan.

Height: 5'11, age 38. SW: 323lb CW:196lb

(deactivated member)
on 2/16/18 4:09 pm - Courtice, Canada
RNY on 03/19/18

Proud of you for realizing your weakness and doing something to prevent a slip up. You recognize that this is a chance of a lifetime, take a deep breath and take one minute at a time. You can do this!!

Can't wait to hear about the next leg of your journey.

Stitch83
on 2/16/18 6:34 pm
RNY on 02/26/18

Ooh lucky you with the green veggies, what I wouldn't give for some snap peas and asparagus. Brilliant idea with the stir fry!

And I say all the power to you re: your wallet, I call that a little planning and forethought when you might be triggered to making a bad choice...it's a skill you'll need on an ongoing basis after surgery so you just got a head start. You can choose to frame it with shame or with feelings of empowerment in making a good choice. You got this!!

HW: 285 SW: 260 CW: 134 Dr. Grantcharov, St. Michael's

Referral: May 2017 Orientation: June 5/17 Nurse: Aug. 17/17 Doctor/Dietician/SW finished by Dec. 11/17 Surgical Ed. Class: Dec. 18/17 Surgeon: Jan. 9/18 Surgery: February 26, 2018!!

anncha
on 2/16/18 7:31 pm

We're almost there :) just over a week to go for us.

Referral to Sudbury: April 28th 2017, Orientation: July 19th 2017, 1:1's: Dec 14th 2017, Follow up with NP: Jan 9th OTN: Jan 18th, Pre-Op: Feb 12th, Surgery: Feb 27th - 2 weeks of Opti. Hospital: St. Joseph's TO with Dr Sullivan.

Height: 5'11, age 38. SW: 323lb CW:196lb

(deactivated member)
on 2/16/18 8:05 pm
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