Losing the Liquid Diet Willpower

I have been on liquid protein since Aug. 14. My surgery is August 28th. I feel like I'm about to go crazy. I can't stand the thought of liquid protein anymore. I'm starting to get headaches and sometime I feel shaky yet somewhat lethargic in the afternoons. My mood is beginning to get cranky. Sometimes I feel like I get overwhelmed with anxiety and I'm on the verge of eating something. Any suggestions on how to help me hang in there?

Between pre and post-op diets I had 4 weeks of liquids and, omg, liquid fatigue is a real thing. It sucked so much. Are you allowed to have sugar free popsicles? Those were a nice change for me and gave me something to "crunch."

How much protein are you getting? (How many shakes are you drinking each day?) How much other liquid are you getting in?

I wish I had some amazing advice but, really, the liquid diet just sucks. A lot. Life will be so much better in 1-2 months :D

I'm getting in at least 90 grams of liquid protein a day and drinking water all throughout the day. No, we are not allowed anything to eat. Last night I almost caved in by snacking on broccoli but didn't. I've never appreciated eating solid food like I do now.

It might be worthwhile to call your surgeon's office and ask for advice about the headaches and lethargy. They might have some useful ideas.

I agree with Gwen, it wouldn't hurt to give them a call and let them know what's going on. At two weeks in I finally called my bariatric team and they added a few raw veggies and a small apple to my diet until 3 days before surgery.

I sent an email to my nurse and told her how awful I was feeling and she did allow me to eat only raw vegetables from my approved vegetable list.

My surgeon only told me to drink protein the day before surgery. 2 days before I think he had me do soft foods, other than that I wasn't on a strict anything. I think all surgeons are different. Definitely call!

It sounds like the "carb flu". You're going through withdrawal symptoms of carbs, and if you quit caffeine at the same time, OMG, the agony. I went through this when I did Adkins a lifetime ago. It goes away after a few days to a week. It is an eye-opening experience at how much that crap has you by the throat, though.

"Carb flu" is the perfect way to put it! I was just telling my husband last night how run down I was feeling and that it felt like I was coming down with a cold or something. It was kind of freaking me out because the last thing I need to happen now is to get sick.

You have no alternative but to live this way after surgery for 2 or 3 weeks. You don't want to go through carb withdrawal at the same time you are recuperating from surgery.

Best get over it now. It sucks. But in the long run, you are much better off.