Question:
Two Week Pre-Op Liquid Diet
Day 4 has come to an end of my 2 week pre-op diet, and it feels like time is standing still. I've been very strict and have only been drinking low-sodium organic chicken broth, low-sodium tomato soup, light n fit yogurt 6oz (1 per day), sf popsicles, sf jello, and Carnation Instant Breakfast made with Simply Smart skim milk. One day I actually drank all 3 CIBs as my "meals" but every other day I've only managed to have 2, today I only drank 1. My problem is that I'm so darn exhausted that I'm sleeping a ton. For instance, I slept for nearly 11 hours last night and then fell asleep for another 2 later in the day today. I've had a headache I just can't shake either. My Dr told me to lay off NSAIDs so I've been taking tylenol, which doesn't seem to help me at all. Has anyone else ever had this problem with the headaches? Also has anyone else felt completely exhausted and slept a lot more during the liquid diet? I'm open to any kind of advice anyone may have. 11 more days till surgery! (Lapband) — kelbeth83 (posted on January 11, 2009)
January 11, 2009
The fatigue may be due to an inadequate amount of protein intake. I am not
familiar with the CIB but most protein powders that are sold in health food
stores have pretty good levels (20-30gms/serving). I used 100% Whey
Protein with water pre-op and did fine with 2 per day. I also got alot of
other clear liquids in between. I still use this powder for a daily
shake/meal and I am 10 months post-op RNY. As for the Headaches - doesn't
sound like you are taking in too much salt, it may be withdrawal symptoms
from cola or any drink with caffiene if you had them prior to starting the
2 week diet. If you continue with Headaches, you may want to get your
blood pressure taken to make sure it isn't related.
Hang in there....you'll soon be post-op!
— AuntPamcakes4six
January 11, 2009
Ok so my experience when I did the liquid diet was this...the fatigue and
headaches are more than likely the cause of you not getting in enough
carbs. I was suppose to intake 130-150G of carbs a day during my liquid
diet and if I hit below that (which was everyday) I felt HORRIBLE. I slept
the entire 10 days away and had the worst migraines I had ever faced. If
you don't know the amount of carbs you should be in taking call the NUT and
ask. If the headaches persist and tylenol doesn't help call the Dr and
he/she can prescribe something to help. I know it is a killer time and each
day it seems to get harder instead of easier but truly you have reached a
huge milestone with this diet! You to will make it through the 2 wks of
torture (as I like to call it) Have a blessed week and I hope this helped!
— bridgadean
January 11, 2009
Hi Kellie! Just wanted to let you know I totally sympathize with you! My
surgeon only recommended a 2 day pre-op diet and I experienced the exact
same symptoms, enough so that I took off from work that Monday and Tuesday
I had to do the diet! It is your body going through caffeine and carb
withdrawl, I was told. Hope the rest of the time goes quickly and make
sure you call your surgeon's office to see if there is anything other than
liquid tylenol for you to take. I wish you the best!
Sherrie
26 lbs down since 12/3/08 surgery
— ladiblade2
January 11, 2009
It sounds like you might be going through caffiene withdrawl. Ask your
NUT, but I was able to use half/half coffee and tea for one week. I then
went to all decaf and I didn't suffer from any headaches. Either
way....HANG IN THERE.......11 days will pass in no time. Looking forward
to seeing you on the losing side of things!
LisaRae
— Fircrkr64
January 11, 2009
Have you given up caffeine cold turkey? That will certainly do it!
Otherwise it's most likely the lack of carbs ...Carbs are the brains energy
and you are getting barely any with the little that may be in your tomatoe
soup...You might ask if you can eat some fruit or try mixing some NSA sugar
fruit juice in some water and sweeten with a natural sweetener like
Stevia...(I noticed they started a commercial campaign to introduce Stevia
to the nation! FINALLY It's called Nuvia...and it will finally be found in
grocery stores other than Health and Upscale grocers...)
Your surgeon has the ultimate ground rules before surgery...So please ask!
Just call the office...You are doing GREAT! I don't know how so many do
those liquid diets...I can barely make it two days without punching someone
or just breaking down and crying! LOL OH...and also..are you taking multi
vitamin for nutrition? Ask about that too! It could help...
Hope you feel better...you're doing great! Good luck with your surgery!
— .Anita R.
January 11, 2009
Hi Kellie
I will be watching and waiting to see how you made it as I still have not
got final approval yet for my surgery. The pre-op diet is what I am most
worried about, not the surgery itself! I have felt the same as you do on
the Atkins diet, and being diabetic with no carbs to speak of made me
feeling like a zombie. I thought the pre-op had to be clear liquids with
nothing like tomatoe soup or yogurt. I think I could make it if I could
have something more than "glorified colored water." I'll say
little prayers for you, and this too shall pass. Debbie
— dawright
January 12, 2009
This discussion is very helpful to me as I am also yet to set my date for
my Lap band surgery.
Since my first visit with my doctor 3 weeks ago, I have been reducing my
daily intake of carbs and caffeine, as well as practicing better portion
control and overall daily food intake. I have already started to experience
occasional headaches, and it seems to be on days when I have almost no
caffeine, very little carbs, insufficient water/liquids, or some
combination of all three. I am also more tired than usual, but since I am
self-employed and work from home, I can deal with it by taking short naps
during the day.
Last year, I had tried to follow the South Beach Diet and quit halfway
through Phase 1 because I had brutal headaches and I was exhausted almost
all day every day and slept more than I was awake. I just couldn't take it
and it didn't fit my life at that time.
Now it's been easier because it's been more gradual and my lifestyle is
more flexible. The headache and exhaustion problems are getting better as I
adjust to the new dietary habits I am building, and this discussion helps
even more in helping me stay focused on the reason I am doing this.
So, I continue with my prep and look forward to my next visit with my
doctor when I will hopefully be able to set a date.
Thanks to everyone in this forum!
— Ada L.
January 12, 2009
I had the same thing happen to me, and turns out it was a caffeine
withdrawl headache. Coffee and tea are clear liquids that have just enough
caffeine to get rid of your headache...just don't drink a ton, because
caffeine can also have negative side affects on your healing after surgery.
Your headache could also be because you're dehydrated even just a little
bit. You may also try to put some protein powder in your liquids. You
might not be getting enough protein, which can make you feel tired. Also,
try going for a walk. Sometimes a little fresh air is enough to wake me up
and keep me going through the afternoon. Congrats on your surgery date!
— [Deactivated Member]
January 12, 2009
Patience and perseverance, my friend. Try drinking more water; add Koolaid
or Crystal Light with equal or splenda; also don't use your CIB's as meals.
Remember you are retraining your body to eat and metabolize in a different
way.
A little tea and coffee. Add one or two more yogurts for protein. Start
exercising; go for a walk and perhaps join a support group. No more NSAIDS
is a good idea from your doc. If it is like another post said a caffeine
withdrawal headache then the meds won't work. Don't drink soda. And if
you must put something in the coffee or tea; use your smart milk and equal,
sweet n low, splenda. Good Luck and God Bless you,
vinnigirl, retired RN
— vinnigirl
January 13, 2009
A few things, are you takinbg the vitamins they want you on after the
surgery, like b12 and iron, multivitamin and calcium. I used to sleep 20
hours a day because of medical issues and once i started takingf the b12, (
i take 2500mcg) i sleep alot less with more enegry. I get headaches when i
am very hungry, once i take a shake i am better. I use the Whey isolate 28
from the store GNC. it has 28 grams of protien. also to get more protien
we were told to add 2 tablespoons of the non fat dry powdered mild to the
shakes. You can buy it at any grocery store. between 8 to 15$ depending
on thew size but it adds grams of protien without too much calories.
Maybe you are dehydrated too from not drinking enough fluids also. Walmart
has faux crystal light sugar free drink mix in many flavors too that are
good and they are easier to drink sometimes then water.try these ideas and
see if it helps. Good luck Gail
— 2bethin62
January 13, 2009
Hang in there - I'm on Day 6, so I'm only 2 days ahead of you. I had a
thumping headache all day on day 3, and a really bad headache on day 4.
It's pretty much gone now, just comes back a little in the later afternoon
before I have my dinner. My dr has me on Optifast shakes (3 or 4 per day)
plus 1 cup of green veges at dinner time - that's it, nothing else. No
milk or any calories in any other way. Being a Kiwi I usually drink a LOT
of tea with milk and I'm sure it was withdrawal from tanin/caffeine from
the removal of tea from my diet and also the drop in calories. I dropped
from goodness knows (I do actually!) calories to about 800cal per day.
I've also got a really white tongue (body detoxing). I know you get
headaches when you do a detox diet, and I believe that it's all of a sudden
all the nasty toxins stored in your fat cells get released in one hit, and
your body has to cope with them.
— Sarah_Auckland
January 13, 2009
Oops, sorry I'm on day 7 (Wed 14 Jan).
— Sarah_Auckland
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