New Member 17 days until surgery

Hi Everyone,

I am booked in for surgery on the 11th December. I have been reading a lot of posts here and there is so much helpful and encouraging information I decided to register.

I have been on my preop diet for 5 days now. I have to do that for 3 weeks, It hasn't been too bad though, I had a crippling headache the second day but kept up my water and it slowly receded over a few days still having moments but a panadol clears it up now. I really notice the lack of energy though. I cannot do anywhere near what I could do a week ago.

Pretty excited and slightly anxious at the same time. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this community.

I’m scheduled for mine om 12/14. Good luck!

Are you getting in protein? Pre-op I could have all the protein drinks I wanted. It should help get your energy back! Good luck.

Hi,

I had lots of trouble sticking to the pre op optifast I even failed the first week and started again. The second attempt was easier the first 3-4 days are hard until ketosis from lack of carbs kicks in. I found plenty of water is important to avoid dehydration headaches for me.

Thank you for the responses!

My Dietician from the team has given me a diet based on my size and work, I am pretty active live on a farm. I get 4 optifast shakes a day, 100g lean beef/pork, one egg (farm fresh as we have our own chooks) and as many vegetables as I like from an allowed list (basically low carbs/low starch at least two cups have been eating about 4-5 though, which I am told is ok) and 3 litres of water a day with the shakes doing 3l to 3.5l.

I really do notice a lack of energy though I have just been mowing with the push mower in our backyard, two weeks ago I would have done twice the area and only felt slightly winded, today half the area and I had to sit down for about 10mins to catch my breath, drink water etc.

Small price to pay though. I actually like the optifast shakes. I've been 100% on the plan from day one. only really bad day was day 2.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brett.S

Thank you for the responses!

My Dietician from the team has given me a diet based on my size and work, I am pretty active live on a farm. I get 4 optifast shakes a day, 100g lean beef/pork, one egg (farm fresh as we have our own chooks) and as many vegetables as I like from an allowed list (basically low carbs/low starch at least two cups have been eating about 4-5 though, which I am told is ok) and 3 litres of water a day with the shakes doing 3l to 3.5l.

I really do notice a lack of energy though I have just been mowing with the push mower in our backyard, two weeks ago I would have done twice the area and only felt slightly winded, today half the area and I had to sit down for about 10mins to catch my breath, drink water etc.

Small price to pay though. I actually like the optifast shakes. I've been 100% on the plan from day one. only really bad day was day 2.

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Well done sticking to what your doctor has asked; the fact that you can do that now is so encouraging for your long term success. I do find if I am not getting at leaaaaaast 60 grams of protein (I'm 5'4" 123 at this point) my energy goes down. Also if I'm not getting in as much liquid as I'm using up.

Best of luck! Please keep posting.

Good for you for sticking to the pre op. For me it was the hardest part of the procedure - and even then it wasn't that bad. I knew that there was an end date and that my life was going to change for the better with the surgery. And it has :-)
This is such an exciting time for you. All the best for the 11th.

I am getting very creative with the way I cook my vegetables to mix-up the taste. Luckily there are a lot of veges on the list I already liked and ate a lot of, and luckily I get a meat allowance, though its only lean beef or pork and I don't really eat pork so I think I will be very sick of beef after three weeks. Though again cooking it as differently as I can each day. Just got some good news my blood sugars have been below 6 all week (have diabetes type II) and they want me to stop taking my metformin now. :)

The headache is carb withdraw. Hang in there. It gets better. :)

The preop diet is no fun, but it's a critical part of the journey and it's so worth it! Good luck and welcome!