Got MY Surgery Date and the pre-surg diet has begun!!

Hello everyone!  My first posting to the site.  This is Trish and  I recently got my surgery date which is Nov 25!  I am excited, nervous, excited.  The pre-surgery diet has begun....

So I hear all the horror stories about how your operation will be cancelled if you dont lose weight or if you liver has not shrunk... so I am nervous I will not get to where I need to be in time for teh surgery.  Anyone else have these fears initally?  Anyone goof up during the pre-surgery diet?

Just looking for some support on this...

Good luck to everyone and congrats to those who have been through it!

Trish

Hi Trish,

Welcome to the group. I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible, life-changing journey.

Not everyone has presurgery diet. I didn't have a specific one, but I had been losing weight as I had been preparing for surgery. My husband is having his next month and he is working on losing some weight. The reason that they want you to lose weight prior to surgery is that your liver tends to store reserves for you and this can 'enlarge' the liver. When you diet and start to lose weight the liver gives up the 'reserves' and reduces in size. The liver 'sits' on top of the stomach, so it's really important that it's not too large because a large liver is one of the biggest reasons that they have to switch from a lap procedure to open.

Put one foot in front of the other. You will get there. Make yourself a list of the reasons you are doing this and review it every morning and evening and anytime you think you might give in. Make yourself a list of things that might sabotage your success and then make plans to counteract those sabotage opportunities. These are tools that will take you a long way... not just through the presurgery diet, but through the weight loss and maintenance process.

You can do this... and we'll be here to help,

Congrats on your surgery date. My pre-op diet was that I had to eat 50 or less carbs a day. That was hard, I think air has carbs in it!I did real good for the 2 weeks until my last day of eating(I was only allowed clear liquids the day before)and ate pizza . It was good but I ate it thinking I wouldn't ever be able to eat it again but I can. I am 8 months out and eat about 1 piece of pizza when we have it.

Good Luck

Melissa

Trish - Welcome and Congratulations on your surgery date.... The pre-op diet is not easy, but then when you keep your eye on the prize, it is not too hard either ! 
As Barb said - take one day at a time or one foot in front of the other.  If you have any questions, talk to yor doc and his staff....

Shelia

Hello Trish!  I hear you about the excitement, the nerves...the excitment!  lol  Thankfully lately I'm more excited than anything...about a month or so ago, the nerves were getting the best of me! 

What type of presurgery diet are you starting?  I have to start mine tomorrow and will be on a 10-day low-carb, high protein liquid diet.  (Low-carb Slim Fast, SF Jell-O, SF popsicles, veggie broth, V8 juice, Crystal Light, etc.)  I plan on sticking to it like glue because of the things you mentioned! 

Wishing you the very best of luck!

Hi there and good luck to you too.. What is your date for surgery?  Mine is the 25th of November.    Mine is similar, it sounds.   I purchased my protein shakes at the Vitamen Shop.  Two shakes a day, 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup oatmal, 1/2 cup veges, 1/2 cup geletin, and a few ounces of chicken.  That is pretty much it.  Since we are so close to doing it at the same time.. keep me in the loop as to how you are making out and I will do the same!

Good luck

Trish

Hi again Trish.  My RNY is scheduled for 5:30 a.m. on November 21st.  I'm having it done by Dr. Cook in Hickory, NC. 

My surgeon recommends low-carb Slim Fast for the protein shake portion of the pre-op diet, but I am going to be mixing my own using protein powder and unsweetened soy milk.  The exchanges are the same.  :)  Other than that, I can have unlimited portions of the SF Jell-O, SF popsicles, broth (I'm vegetarian, so I'll use veggie broth), SF beverages (Crystal Light), and V-8 juice. 

We'll definitely have to keep in close touch since we are surgery buddies with only days apart.  I can give you my email address if you'd like...just PM me.  Good luck to you too!

I am having mine done by Dr. "Fuzz" Fernandez in Winston-Salem, NC. 

So  you will have to walk me through the cool stuff you have done to your page.  The weight loss tracker thing and were to track my "story".  Haven't figured that out yet.

welcome to the board Trish...
I have not had my surgery yet but I wanted to wish you all the best!
This is a Great board to be on for friends, support and info...