Question:
I am on day 3 of my pre-op liquid protein diet and I am so weak.
Has anyone felt this way and what can I do to get more energy? I'm also waivering on the surgery and I don't want to please help? My liquid diet is supposed to be for 2 weeks and I don't think I can do it. Also I'm thinking it's not the surgery that gets the weight off it's the starvation from 2 weeks before the surgery to at least 4 months after. Thanks Pam — P. B (posted on July 13, 2007)
July 13, 2007
hi,
I am currently 6 weeks post -op. I only had to do 4 days liquid before nad
a week after. It is not so bad. I am now on soft foods and sometimes
wishing for the liquids again. Best of Luck.
— Alvernlaw
July 13, 2007
Pam, you "HAVE" to do it sweety. It will go by faster than you
realize. Make sure you drink your protein!! THAT is important and also will
help. Crush up your vitamins and take. I still take 2 flinstone chewables a
day and I had my surgery January 13, 2004. ALot of us felkt the same way
you do. Runny instant mashed potatoes with a slice of cheese melted into
them is considered liquid. Hang in there hon!! Mickey........
— MCraig3
July 13, 2007
Trust me, I don't think ANYONE will tell you that they "starved"
up to 4 months after the surgery. After surgery you have to FORCE yourself
to eat and drink, it's not easy trust me, but it can be done. I also was
lucky that I was only put on a 3 day liquid diet before my surgery as my
surgeon wanted my bowels clean. Definately drink your protein and for more
energy take your vitamin B-12. The surgeon's don't put you on a
"starvation diet" beforehand because they want to make you
starve. They want to make your liver shrink as much as possible before
surgery to make it less risky. Hang in there! Good luck!
— crystalsno
July 13, 2007
i'm a year out tomorrow and i've lost a 150 lbs and i can tell you it
didn't come from the 2 week liquids or the first 4 months. the reason you
are doing this is to lose weight so that your liver is smaller and it's
also eaiser for the surgeon to preform the surgery. It get easier, If you
are having seconds thoughts is it out of fear? it's 2 weeks that you are on
liquids for a life time of change and health. Drink your liquids, take your
vitamins and hold on 2 weeks goes by really fast. if you need to talk
please send me a message.
— Jenney
July 13, 2007
Oh no! I just finished my first week of pre-op liquid protein diet and
feel absolutely fine. My dietician told me to drink 3-5 protein shakes
(EAS shakes are 11 oz and 100-110 calories each) and each veggies with
salsa, green beans, spinach, etc. She also said I could substitute 3 oz of
broiled chicken for a shake. I am not hungry at all and know that it is
for the best for the surgery preparation. It removes the fat from the
liver to enable the liver to be clipped properly. Please call your
dietician to see what you can have if you are starving. You should be
having 800-1000 calories per day on this two week protein diet. The
surgery is a tool to help us lose the weight for a better quality of
life....please hang in there and write to me if you need support especially
these two weeks. You can do this!
— threewishes
July 13, 2007
It's MUCH easier AFTER surgery than BEFORE. During the honeymoon period
(maybe about 6 mo.??) you may have to pur yourself on a schedule to
remember to eat something. After the honeymoon period, some folks go back
to pre-op hunger so be careful or it'll all (the fat) start to come back
again.
— [Deactivated Member]
July 13, 2007
Only your doctor can tell ya what you need to do for pre-op, but the reason
why they told you to be on a liquid diet prior to the surgery is so that
your liver will be normal size and they will be able to get around inside
better. You can do it...all of us had to be on some kind of liquid diet. I
had my surgery july 5th of 2005 and that was the worst 4th of july I had
lol
— Sweet2U
July 13, 2007
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP EVERYBODY, I MADE IT THRU DAY 3 AND I FEEL BETTER
TODAY. JUST A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT ME; I WAS APPROVED FOR THE SURGERY 3
YEARS AGO AND CHIECKENED OUT BECAUSE I WASN'T READY TO MAKE THE COMMITMENT.
BUT I AM THIS TIME IT'S JUST HARD TO GET PAST THIS VERY TOUGH 2 WEEKS AND
IT MAKES ME JUST A LITTLE ANGRY THAT NOT ALL WERE MADE TO GO ON THE PRE-OP
DIET FOR 2 WHOLE WEEKS. I WILL DO THIS I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE LIVER BUT I
STILL THINK THE DOCTORS THAT MAKE YOU DO IT FOR THIS LONG ARE ON A POWER
KICK TO SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE IT 2 WEEKS OR MAYBE THEY THINK THAT MOST WON'T
MAKE IT AND AT LEAST THEY WILL GET THEM PART OF THE TIME TO HELP SHRINK
THEIR LIVERS AND LESS RISKS TOO. I AM WRITING IN CAPS SO YOU WILL BE ABLE
TO SEE IT'S ME SO THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP AND IF I NEED YOU I WILL EMAIL
YOU....THANKS PAM
— P. B
July 14, 2007
Hi Pam thanks for writing. You have some right concepts and some wrong.
Liquid diets are tough, and you can do 3 days. You are weak because you
have vitamin issues or emotional issues, possibly both. Obesity is a head
issue with a body consequence, and if you think that you are gonna just
fight a battle of obesity, you have to re think your situation. You will
have head hunger, you will struggle with your brain, but won't be hungry
and won't be starving. If we really were starving, it is from the junk we
have pumped into our bodies for decades to stay obese. You are emotionally
exhausted from this decision, but the decision is yours to make. You have
to own the decision and the consequences. Having surgery was a great
decision for me, feel free to read my profile, I keep it up pretty regular.
It had it's ups and downs, but I would do it again in a heart beat. I did
liquid for 3 days, and it is not easy, but it shows you can follow doctors
orders, and you are strong enough to make it. If you had pre surgery blood
work, then if you had a vitamin problem, they should have notified you. I
think you are scared and are fighting head issues. I don't want to tell
you to have surgery because it is a decision that only you can make. But
if you have surgery, own it, and fight for your health. You are worth it.
You are right that the 4 months or whatever of protein drinks will help you
lose weight, but it is not the only reason you lose weight. I did NOT do 4
months of liquids, I did about 1 week of liquids and got my sources of
protein from food such as milk, cottage cheese, pinto beans, etc. If this
is something that interests you, then challenge your doctor, tell him that
4 months of drinks is not for you and you want to do it with milk and good
foods. You pay him through your insurance carrier a ton of money for his
services. There are other options that liquid crap for 4 months. But if
you don't ask, if you don't research, if you don't challenge, they will
lead you around by the nose and expect you to follow. Just be sure that
you follow a good plan, and don't make it up as you go along. A good
nutritionist can help you, and your doctor can help you. Put on your
research hat and your fight girl, and make the best choice for you. Take
care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 14, 2007
Pam,
It is very hard to get through the 2 weeks. Trust me when I say, you can
do it. It was terribly hard but I made it and so will you. After you have
the surgery, you won't even be hungry anyway and what a blessing that will
be. I am 2 months post op and don't miss most of the foods i used to eat.
I have no desire whatsoever for sweets. Before surgery I found that I
could have tomato soup in moderation and that helped me get through. I
will be in prayer for you. God bless you. You are on a wonderful road and
will be very happy afterward. I have already lost 54 lbs. I am so
pleased. You can do this, it will be hard but worth it.
— mBaggett1
July 14, 2007
Pam, trust me you can do it. My doc makes his patients drink slim fast for
2wks pre op...yuk. Not gonnnnna lie to I did break down once or twice.
But remember your goal. Best wishes.
Muah,
DivaDe
— DivaDee73
July 29, 2007
Hi There,
I had my surgery on Monday, July 23rd - I came home on Wednesday at noon.
Prior to surgery I did 2 weeks of the liver-shrinking diet - it was hard to
get past the first two days - so I know I was weak because I decided that I
WOULD NOT do anything outside of the diet they gave me. So, I ended up not
getting in the total number of protein shakes for those two days HOWEVER,
taste was my thing - along with that mental thing that says - you could at
least eat one LAST thing today. Well, I found out I was stronger than any
little voice in my head.
On the evening of the second day - I felt so hungry and yet so weak - so I
got into the kitchen and experimented a bit. I HEATED my skim milk for 3
minutes til it was piping hot, then added my Chocolate No Sugar added -
Carnation Instant Breakfast. Girl, it hit the spot! At work, we have
those packets of Nestle Hot Chocolate that you mix with water - well THIS
"hot chocolate" was a lot more creamy and FILLING to my stomach.
Plus I learned to relax and hold that warm cup and just enjoy having my
"hot chocolate". This worked for me and even now - after
surgery, I heat all of my CIB drinks and I find that its like
"tea" time for me - very soothing and relaxing. If you haven't
tried it - try it and hit me back and let me know if this helps. I only
want to see you succeed and YOU WILL DO IT! I can feel strength in your
words - and some mental stuff as well, so TURN that thought process around
and out in on the DETERMINATION TO JUST DO THIS! Between YOU AND YOU - you
already know that you can do it - so just do it.
Synergy (Melanie)
— 4Synergy
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