I cheated on my pre-op diet, what is wrong with me!!!

I am pretty upset at myself right now.  No, actually I'm angry at myself.  My surgery is two weeks from today.  I was not told by my surgeon to do a pre-op diet, but I remember his partner surgeon mentioning it at the info seminar, so I recently called and asked about it.  The nurse checked my file and told me that I should just go ahead and eat only meat, fruits and vegetables before my surgery so that my liver will shrink.  I am a carb junkie, so I figured that my liver was probably pretty big because of it, so I decided to do a two-week high protein liquid diet.  Well, this morning started out alright with protein for breakfast and K20 protein water at mid-morning, but I totally lost it at lunch.  I came home for lunch and was going to have some chicken broth before my protein shake, but I took one bite of the broth and gagged.  I'm really weird with meats, and to me it smelled and tasted like rotten chickens!  I know that there is nothing wrong with the broth, I just bought it and its fine.  But I freaked out.  Then I ate my leftover spaghetti from my dinner last night.   And I drank a Coke. I know that it was wrong.  I know that I need to discipline myself better, which is why I am so disappointed with myself.  I also know that I need to shrink my liver to prevent any problems in surgery.  I plan on picking up the pieces here and moving forward with my pre-op diet, but here is my concern:  Did I do enough damage today that I have put myself in jeopardy for my surgery?  (Spaghetti and Coke are like the opposite of what I should be having, I know, I know...)  I still have 13 days, and the nurse said that the liver can shrink and expand pretty rapidly, so can I still come back from this???

Hi Debi, Consider yourself lucky in that you're able to have meat, fruits and veggies for your 2 week pre-op diet. Many of us, myself included, were on 2 weeks of protein shakes and liquids only. I don't think you did any damage, but I would definitley follow the pre-op orders. Me? I'm terrified of all things medical so whatever they told me to do, I did.  I know it's not easy, but once you get the carbs and sugars out of your system, you will feel better and the cravings will go away.  I think this is especially important because AFTER the surgery, you will definitley not be having any carbs and sugars. How will you handle it then with your new, baby tummy?  You can say that once you have the surgery, you'll be 100% perfect, and maybe you will be, but why make it harder on yourself? I'll never forget the girl who posted a few days after her surgery about eating a junior cheeseburger from Wendy's and she wondered why she was sick. All the best to you! Stacey

Oh I think so Debi,   But you might want to get the things that tempt you out of the house. Maybe keep some V8 juice on hand for when you don't feel like broth. A little No Sugar Added applesauce, some SF chocolate syrup to add to your protein drinks, there are all kinds of possibilities. Just don't panic, and you'll be fine.  Get back on your pre-op regime and work at it. Good luck, Fred

first . . . TAKE A BIG BREATH IN . . . good NOW EXHALE SLOWLY . . . okay, good. Now STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF!!!! Really, now DUST YOURSELF OFF . . . and GET BACK ON THE WAGON. Are you able to camly think this through? Were there any other triggers? What were they? What can you do next time instead---afterall, there will be a next time. Do a good clean out of your home---have a "safe" place. No foods that are off the menu allowed. And I agree that you are very lucky with your diet---I was only allowed protein drinks and clear liquids. If the broth alone gagged you---you are allowed to dress it up a bit. I took chicken, added a tablespoon of lemon juice and some poultry seasoning. I also stirred in one jar of baby food ckn meat--but you are allowed real meat--so maybe some of those pre-cooked tyson strips? You can do this---it's less than two weeks--and if you feel you may slip---log on here. We'll be waiting to cheer you on to VICTORY!!!!

Look, I didn't have to do a pre-op diet. I just could not gain anything from the time of my 1st weigh in and the surgery date.  I had one day of liquids, the day before surgery.  My starting BMI was 43.9 (so 44!!) I basically think that the dr.s want to see you preparing for life right after surgery as well as wanting to shrink your liver as much as possible.  So don't hang yourself!!  A new day is ahead and however you start over will be fine!!  YES, you are already on your way back by reaching out for help!!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!  

You are so normal--almost all of us have posted exactly what you did during our pre-op diets.

So, relax! It's not such a big deal. I know this is always controversial when I say it, but each doctor has his/her own protocol, which tells me that no one knows what's really important. One doctor says no diet, another says 3 months--just doesn't make sense. It does make sense that you want to shrink your liver as much as you can because it makes the surgery easier (for both you and your surgeon). So you will do your best, not beat yourself up, and focus on your goal of an easy surgery-experience.

And I noticed that you stopped smoking more than 3 months ago--that is so important for a good surgery! (And harder, too!)

So, jump back on and know that it really is fine!!!

Take care--

Pielet

You'll be fine.  I was a low BMI patient and my doctor said protien diet 2 weeks before surgery to lose 5 - 10 pounds.  When I suggested to the nutritionist a liquid diet she said no.  She didn't want me to get tired of it before surgery.  I didn't lose weight but I did maintain and everything went fine.  If your BMI is really high the losing weight before surgery is important.  Once I was home from surgery I had the same reaction to Chicken Broth and couldn't stomach it.  I had to switch to healthy request chicken noodle soup - put into a strainer and I only ate the broth.  Don't go to hard on yourself with the liquid diet because once you have surgery you only have the liquids.    Cheers,  Theresa

Relax! your not the first and you won't be the last. You'll be fine. Just get back on that horse.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I really appreciate all of the encouragement and reassurance.  Thank you for taking the time to calm me down, you guys are the best!  It really, really helps to have this board and to have all of you supportive wonderful people to talk to. 

Wow, this really is going to be hard, but I can do it.  Back on the wagon!  I will take your suggestions and clean out my temptations so that they are not in the house.  Also, the suggestions on how to doctor up the broth a little so that I can get it down a little easier.  Being able to talk to others who have gone through this already and understand how I am feeling is truly a blessing!

Thanks again, my wonderful OH friends!! ps.  You are right, if I can quit smoking - and boy have I been tempted since - than I can quit carbs and Coke!!!

First don't be mad or upset at yourself. Just go on from now and learn from it. It is not too late to turn it back around...You still have 13 great days ahead of you!! :-) I don't think one day this far out is going to hurt you...but please try really hard from here on out so your body is in great shape for surgery :-) You can do this! Sherri