Beaking up is hard to do!!

So I met with my surgeon for the first time on Monday and she wanted me to start phase 1 of the liver shrinking diet ASAP. Short list of what you can have and a LONG list of no-no's. On the no-no list is coffee (even decaf). She said I gave her the deer in the headlights look when she said that! I am sure I did.

Anyway I am breaking up with my love for coffee. One of the first big steps I have to take. Did anyone else have to do this diet? The second phase starts 3 weeks before surgery and it is the all liquid diet.

I had to do the 2 week liquid diet. Which is hard, but if you do it in phases its much easier. I did a pre liquid diet, stopped drinking soda, tea, anything other then water, started watching my carbs, staying under 100 grams, made sure I was taking my vitamins, little things like that.

Each doctor has their own plan.  I had to give up coffe and decaf two weeks prior to surgery.  For two weeks I could have two protein shakes, one meal of 4 oz protein, and a s/f Popsicle or s/f jello.   It  got easier by the fourth day and I lost 16 lbs pre-op.

you can do it!

I gave up caffeine. I thought it would KILL me. I drank almost 2 pots of regular coffee a day pre-op, and went cold turkey the day of surgery, While in the hospital, the horrible headache (that I think was from caffeine withdrawl) was much worse than the surgical pain!! It gets better. Now at almost 8 weeks out, I am still off caffeine, but drink 1-2 cups of decaf a day. I have learned to like it ok. Good luck!!

My Dr. said no coffee or tea of any kind. She said it has something that starts with a Z ( (I can not remember) that is an appitite stimulant. I worry about the headaches that I am sure will follow. But I figure they will probably hit over the weekend and I can be at home and not at work trying to function with it.

If you have the time, wean off of caffeine slowly so you don't go through withdrawal.  I was a 2 pot a day addict!  When I had my psych eval, the psychologist suggested that I start with 3/4 caff coffee for a week or so, move to half caff for another week or so, move to 1/4 caff for the next week or so, and then go decaf.  I didn't do a pre-surgery diet, so I never had to give it up completely, but I didn't enjoy decaf until about three months post-op.  Now I drink decaf every day -- even mixing chocolate or vanilla whey protein isolate in it so it is like I'm having a flavored latte without the milk, caffeine, or any sugar!

I'm pre op so I've been trying different protein shake samples.  I tried syntrax nectar's cappuccino. OMG...it was so good. Not sure if you could make it hot but cold it tasted like a frappe. I put it in the blender and it was so good. Just a suggestion. Best of luck!!

~Megan

I like the cappuccino too.

That sounds great! Where can I pick them up at? Can I go to Walmart or GNC? Since I am starting the first phase this weekend I want to try out some different kinds. My Dr, gave me a few samples but the first one smelled like dirty feet and the taste was just as bad!

I ordered them offline, I'm not sure if any stores sell them. You could google to see. They did ship very fast though, ordered one day and had it by the next day or 2.