Question:
Help! Need some tips!

Okay everybody...surgery date is Nov 4th for my RNY. Tomorrow starts day 1 of two weeks of Optifast ONLY diet. Nothing else but water or non-calorie beverages. I am more nervous about this than the surgery! I have no idea how I am going to go two weeks without eating anything at all! I can see after the surgery when I just have my pouch...but I'm really worried about this pre-op liquid only. Any "Survivors" out there who can give me some advice on getting through this?    — Karen K. (posted on October 20, 2009)

October 20, 2009
I think all of us had the same or very similar feelings. Know you can do this -- it may not be easy but you can do it. I'll share a secret with you -- during my first week of the diet I did eat steam veggies like brocolli and cauliflower. I knew these were basically no calorie and non-fat. I think I even at some tuna once or twice during the first week. The second week I adhered to the diet very closely and still lost about 12 pounds. The purpose of this diet is to shrink your liver and elimination of fats and carbs from the diet is the best way to do this. There is another factor that goes on in the head and that is you think "I may never be able to eat (whatever food is your favorite) again and you feel like you need to have one "last" meal. Not to worry after surgery you will find that you can have just about any of your "favorite" foods just maybe only a small amount of them. I was really worried about not being able to eat prime rib -- I used to eat a 18-20 oz portion, now I order a 10 oz (or whatever is the smallest the offer) eat maybe 3-4 ozs and take the rest home. Know you can do it and that you have lots of "friends" out here looking to support and help you through these trying times.
   — rkurquhart

October 20, 2009
I remember that feeling. It's like ALL of this, you just trust your surgeon and do exactly like s/he says. My bariatric nurse told me that the liver sits on top of the stomach, and it's big and floppy. The fat on it sort of oozes around where the surgeon is trying to work. By the strict LIQUID ONLY diet, you can literally fry the fat on the liver, making the edges "crispy", giving the surgeon a much better shot at getting it done right without mishap. Not only that, but it gives you a big jumpstart on your weight loss numbers! If you set your mind to this being the dividing point of all new habits and lifestyle, a new beginning, you will never see the current number on the scale again. You can do this.
   — jtoothman

October 21, 2009
Hi Karen, I'm so glad you voiced your concern for this situation. I had the same concern and am now in the 2nd week of my pre-op phase liquid diet. My thoughts were if I can get through this, I can get through anything. But you know I haven't cheated once, not once! And I'm actually very surprised at myself. If I had to change my name I think it would be changed to "cheater" because I've never been faithful to any "diet" I've ever tried! But somehow there is a strength that has accompanied my decision to have rny (mine is scheduled on Oct 29th). I have a renewed hope for being healthy and living a longer life. I have no doubt that there will be obstacles in my way down the line that I will have to overcome so because of that, you must live one day at a time. Don't look to the whole 2 week haul or you'll FREAK OUT and become discouraged with all the work that needs to be adheared too. So live in the day. Plan when you'll drink your shakes and take your vitamins. Make sure you have a constant source of water at hand. And JUST LIVE FOR THE DAY. Tomorrow will take care of itself. You can do this!! You'll find strength you had no idea you have. This is your opportunity to be healthy and feel healthy. And if you're like me, you'd do anything to have that. So good luck my dear and remember "One Day At A Time!" Bunches, of Blessings!
   — annteekee

October 21, 2009
I kept telling myself "I can do anything for two weeks."
   — ladybugtx18

October 21, 2009
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I am at the end of day 1 of pre-op liquid and so far, so good. It isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I just had my tomato soup for dinner, and have one more "shake" to complete my day. I tend to over analyze and project was "could" happen. If every day goes like today did, I'll be fine!
   — Karen K.

October 22, 2009
I am only 3 and a half weeks post-op and it feels like yesterday when I was on the Liquid Diet (before surgery). For me, it was terrible. It was worse than the surgery itself, only because I couldn't have caffine or sugar, which I was hooked on. I couldnt even work during that time, I was misrible and tired all the time. The good news is that the liquid diet before surgery makes it that much easier after surgery and its totally worth it. Just rememeber it's only 2 weeks, it seems like its forever but its really not. Just hang in there and stay away from the TV, all those food commericals really bothered me.
   — AshleyE05

October 25, 2009
They want you on a diet so your liver shrinks and its easier for them to find the stomach. Just do the best you can and eat lightly if you can't do the liquids. There is no diet police!!!
   — Kimberly Ten Kate