Pre-op diet starts in 5 days!

Hi all, what a wonderful website! I start the 2 week pre-op diet very soon and I am stressing out over whether I can even do it or not!! I am using Advocare protein meal replacement shakes and figured I would eat chicken and veggies for my once a day meals.....I am a terrible water drinker, but I know it is crucial. Any hints, secrets, advice? I am also walking 1/2 hour a day starting today to help a little with my health. I am also stressing out that I will be super dehydrated after surgery! I do not like drinking aspartame at all, so any crystal light and all that is out. I could LOVE any advice at all....Thank you!!!!

I start my pre-op diet in 7 days. Woo!  I can't wait. I only get shakes and broths but I've been replacing 1-2 meals a day with shakes for the last 70ish days already, so I feel prepared.

I hear you on the aspartame.  I had a talk with myself and just decided I'd suck my dislike of artificial sweeteners up during this process and that it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make right now. I'll go back to avoiding them once I've healed. I do, however, dilute my crystal light twice as much as the directions say... so at least I'm getting half as much aspartame in each serving!

Yes, diluting is a good idea. Is there a reason to use anything? Can I just drink water? 

Of course you can just drink water!  It's all a function of what your body will tolerate. Some people have issues with "jus****er" post-op, some don't. 

Personally I realized anything sweetened was a trigger for me, so I cut out anything sweetened.  Not real, no fake, no sweet.  Coffee and tea without anything.  It works for me.  The sweetest thing I do is my protein shake and vitamins, and I'm good with that.  

This being said, alot of us (me included) seem to get a whole new set of taste buds after surgery.  I used to be unable to stand black coffee, but shortly after surgery if it isn't black (and decaf) it tastes funny and almost cloying like candy.  Water needs to be your new best freind.  It'll help you avoid hunger and keep you vertical.  Get a sigg bottle or something and never le****er out of your reach, 24/7.

Of course your mileage my vary, but this is what works for me.  Good luck to you!