9 days Pre-Op - Trying to stay on track

[Cbelan]

Hello,

I am in the mind set to change everything in my life and this is one of my steps to a new life. I am going to be 58 yrs old in about 2 months and have spent my entire grown up life working and raising my only child (now 22 yrs old) as a single mom.

The past 7 years have been so hard and recently every part of my life has been pushing me threw life changing events from my job to my relationship to where I now call home to health issues and lastly my phyical appearance.

I want to be healthy and happpy the last 20+ years of my life so here goes 9 days and counting to my Gastric Sleeve Surgery.

If anyone has suggestings as to food items for the Pre-Op Diet that would be really helpful. I am so hungry and I am also trying to stop smoking at the same time so it's really a double struggle for me right now.

[DHB]

Welcome! I'm not yet 2 weeks post-op but I can tell you I think pre-op was harder in many ways. Can't imagine trying to stop smoking at the same time. I had a hard enough time giving up caffeine. Just do your best. I found some high protein soups (Bariwise brand, available on Amazon) that provide 15g of protein and are so much better than those sweet shakes. I still use them post-op to get in enough protein.

If you cheat, just do it with lean protein. My nutritionist said that adding extra nonfat Greek yogurt, egg whites, even lean chicken wouldn't hurt my pre-op diet (I was on 3 shakes + one lean meat & veg meal/day) and it was better to "cheat" with those than to get so hungry I ate something really fatty or sweet. I don't know what your pre-op diet is, so I'm only saying what my nutritionist told me but I hope this helps. Hang in there. I was SO hungry pre-op. Hard to imagine that I now struggle to get in enough calories each day. EVERYTHING will change very soon. Hang in there. You can do this.

[Christie13]

Cassie-welcome!! I agree with Dale. I had a similar pre op and the only difference is that the last 3 days immediately pre op was full liquids. Good luck on your surgery!! Reach out with any questions, if you need advice, and to just chat. This is a great place to be.

[Cbelan]

Dale, thank you so much for your reply. I am going to are some Bariwise today to stock up. Are you taking supplements now that you are Post Op?

[Cbelan]

thank you Christie13 for your words of support. Your stats look awesome you must fell so much better being 1 year out of surgery. You are such a powerful example of how this surgery works..... thank you!

[Truffles]

It might help to know the why regarding the pre-op diet. The purpose is to help shrink your liver. Most obese patients have fatty livers, and having your liver shrink prior to surgery makes it safer. If your liver is too big, and in the way, your surgery could very well be cancelled after already going under. It's rare, but I do remember hearing about one patient of Dr. A coming out of surgery intact because their liver was too large. I can't remember the specifics, though.

So, Dale is spot-on that if you must have something, make sure it is lean protein.

[DHB]

Oh yes, Bariatric Vitamin (with Iron, B-12 & D) plus calcium supplements.

[Cbelan]

Hello there, thank you for the vitamin suggestion. I am 4 day post op and really excited! I've been shopping for all the items that I need but stressed out that I couldn't find the Gas-X Strips anywhere in Washington State. I even checked Amazon, they were sold out and it's too late to do eBay so I only have the pills. Not sure if I can pick them up in Mexico, probably not but asked for a substitute suggestion..... thanks again for taking the time to reply. Cass

[Cbelan]

Hello there, thank you for the vitamin suggestion. I am 4 day pre op (oops) and really excited! I've been shopping for all the items that I need but stressed out that I couldn't find the Gas-X Strips anywhere in Washington State. I even checked Amazon, they were sold out and it's too late to do eBay so I only have the pills. Not sure if I can pick them up in Mexico, probably not but asked for a substitute suggestion..... thanks again for taking the time to reply. Cass

[vivalabetsy]

You made it to surgery day! Congratulations!