Cannot get started on the pre-op diet

[mom3boys]

Im so disappointed in myself. I was supposed to start my two wek pre-op diet on the 8th and so far I have not brought myself to start it. I finally quit smoking which was total chaos for me to do and now Im afraid that I have totally messed everything up by not starting the two week protein diet on time. My sleeve date is schedules for the 21st of this month but now im not sure if I will be able to have it

[bubblesnikki1969]

pre op diet is hard but you need to start it asap otherwise your surgeon won't do it. they can tell by your liver if you've stuck to your diet, try and forcus on what your going to get out of this op and your new life. good luckx

[Dana]

I have done tht so many times when Iwas regular dieting. its especially hard for some reason for the pre-op bc you feel its your last meal. but it s not, it wont be long before you can eat what you want, just not often or as much. you need to psych yourself up. get on you tube and watch some before and after wls videos. and anything else that might inspire you. picture yourself at your goal and how good you are going to feel. and let that fear of not being able to have the surgery work for you. do not eat another thing that will work against you reaching your goal. its just short term , you dont have to do it all yourself, just get to the surgery. if this was a diet for a heart surgery you would be motivated so get serious. stop thinking about all you cant do and think about all you are doing for yourself.
I admit the first three days are rough, you are going thru withdrawals and are weak and hungry but after that you should feel great. see you dont even have to struggle two weeks , just three day. and if you have to eat something let it only be protein, low carb. preferably just chicken. but not the last three days you need to let your tummy totally empty the last three days before surgery. or at least whatever the doc said do.

you can not stop eating with food on the brain. get something to do fast and get food off your mind. go to you tube, and type in 'vsg before and after' if you have time study it all you can and sleep as much as possible the first few days. this is rough but it wont last long, give it three days with all you got in you. drink lots of water too. best wishes!

[Andreas decision]

It must be the 21st thing lol. I had 3 bites of pizza tonight and I'm day 6 liquid diet.I had no other slips other then that
My surgery is on 21st also. Good luck.

[Karon4004]

What Dana said is so right!! you need to start NOW I had to do this pre op liquid diet for 3 weeks. I had a couple of slip ups where i ate some fish and salad as it was getting me down and i was feeling low. You tube kept me motivated. I spent hours checking out gastrice sleeve before and afters, watching their monthly blogs and watching them shrink!! I'd also spend hours on this forum reading peoples posts. I think its what kept me going! To read everyones positive comments keep you going. You're having this surgery for a reason! You want to lose weight! Stop letting yourself sabotage the sleeve! You dont want to be a failure! I'm 5 days out of surgery and feeling great. You will too! I sit here and watch my lot eating all the foods i would love to eat pre op and i can honestly say that it doesnt bother me. I never would think that eating would be the furthest thing on my mind. Let yourself start this diet and work to 21st. Like Dana said...if you need to eat something make sure its chicken or eggs. no fats or sugars. Your liver needs to shrink for surgery. You dont want to go under to wake and find they havent done it. Good luck!!!

[Grace]

First I want to say I think anyone doing the pre op this time of year has it harder than the rest of us, due to stress and all with the holidays.
You said protein diet? So, not liquids, just all proteins, like Atkins? This is what I had to do. I only had liquids 2 days.
I have a little trick that might help. I use ketosticks every morning. If you aren't familiar, they are little regent strips you either put into some pee in a cup or pass through your stream and they turn purple when there are fat burnoff leftovers in your pee. I use them as a positive sign that I am still on track, working hard to keep the color between small and medium (more can be dangerous for some people if it's too long). I got off track for this and stopped losing and gained back a lb. After a week on Atkins induction ( lots of protein and under 20 carbs a day) I've dropped that lb and almost 5 more in 6 days. So, 1 lb a day and I'm 3.5 months out.
Sometimes you need to see results in a tangible way.
If you think seeing some proof your efforts are working will help, this may help you as well.

On the practical side... weigh out and prep your food the night before. Put it in small containers in the fridge and when you go to eat, remember that those containers are all that is available to you. So if you are on the run, grab one or two put them in a small lunchbox with an ice pack (you'll need this later anyway) and head out with your choice of beverage and your allowed food.

Emotionally and hungerwise, this is easily the hardest time of this whole process for you. Try some soothing music, some relaxation CDs at night if possible. You are starting a whole new phase in your life, a new part of your journey that will help you be a healthy you for the rest of your life. You can do this!

[Heart on my Sleeve]

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! Start NOW. It will be okay!! Hugs!

[ShrinkingViolet]

If you haven't started already, start this instant! Someone is about to hand you a key to a whole new, awesome life, and if your hands are slippery from chip grease, it will slip right out from between your fingers. You have worked really hard to get to this point - don't screw it up now!
You can do this. Yes, it is going to suck, but it is worth it.

[swarizonaone]

ok I'm reading what everyone else said. My pre-op diet was a disaster... my thoughts were, IF I COULD DO THIS ALL THE TIME, I WOULDN'T NEED SURGERY. I decided to just eat one meal a day and sub out the carbs with a big fat salad........I did that at lunch. The protein shakes I ate for breakfast and snacks were not the gross ones... I went with boost and slim fast........yeah, they had sugar, but certainly NOT AS MUCH as the breakfasts I had previously been eating. Ok, you don't like protein shakes? Eggs and bacon only for breakfast.........both are loaded with protein. Shake for a snack. Lunch, big meat portion, cut out the carbs, eat a huge salad............cut your dressing to a low-cal if you must and like ? dinner........should be a protein shake... stick with the boost or slim fast..........and snack around 8 pm another protein shake. Those protein mixes are freakin' nasty........but you will love the Ensure, Boost, or slimfast! Smoking is a no-go, so GOOD FOR YOU on quitting that! AND BY ALL MEANS, QUIT DRINKING ANY BUBBLY POP---diet or regular. That is a no way after the surgery. I have been a pop drinker since high school........two 2 liters a day.........so that was my devil.
I did exactly what I just told you, including the ex-pop and I dropped 20 lbs before the surgery and dr did mine!
Don't beat yourself up! Just jump on board right now! What is it that you can't do? Are you wanting to eat all the time? You'll be surprised how quick and full you do with the shakes,.........I just fear that you may be trying with that gross protein like I did. Uh yuck. I couldn't do it either!

salads with meat..........hold the croutons and cheeses..........eat all the veggies you want on it. It'll fill you, and you won't feel like you are being deprived.

GOOD LUCK---------HERE WE GOOOOO! (I'm 5 days out from the surgery!)

[mom3boys]

I just want to say give a special thanks to everyone for all the words of encouragement! I started the protein shakes today.

[ShrinkingViolet]

Good for you! I know I sounded kind of like a hard-ass before - I figured that was what you needed was some no-nonsense chiding! I had to do 2 weeks of nothing but protein shakes (I was supposed to do $OptiFast$ but I did EAS Carbvantage Chocolate instead - so good!) Just remember why you are doing this - maybe make a list of all the reasons, just to keep yourself going, and look at lots of before/after pix for motivation!

[TucsonAmy]

I just want to say give a special thanks to everyone for all the words of encouragement! I started the protein shakes today.

Congrats on getting onboard. Remember, after the surgery you will have NO hunger. At least that was and still is the case for me. So if you can pull off one week now, you will be given a lifetime of new opportunities to become healthy. (And major kudos for stopping smoking!)

[UNIT35]

i too am having trouble with the powder Bariatric Advantage but found if i mixed it with sugar free pudding and skim milk it works, also very very low carb or no carb, sugar free jello, broth, water, some chicken, also low carb low sugar protein bars, lotsa veggies except potatoes. seems to be working, getting my protein and feeling lighter and more energetic..I think I would do better on clear liquids as if something doesnt taste ok, i wont drink it..I have a very sensitive gag reflex..had it all my life

[Princess Fiona]

Good for you!!! Don't give up .. close your eyes and see your self in a wonderful dress.. walking down the streets and people look at you.. not because you are big but because you are beautiful!!! Good luck.

[Heart on my Sleeve]

That's a girl! Okay don't forget sugar free jello and chicken broth. I ate them all day. It saved me.