Newbie - be gentle!

Hi!  I just want to introduce myself - I am Deb and live in CNY.  I had my first doc appt Tuesday and am now following the pre-op diet.

Have just a couple of questions:

1.  HOW DO YOU DO IT???!!!  The doc told me to eat 20 teaspoons of food three times a day. and the only liquid I can have is water.  Now I have a 5-6 can a day Diet Pepsi habit.  So not only could I eat a rhino at this moment, but I have a killer headache!

Is this pre-op diet to help my liver?  Or is it a test to see if I can stick to a diet?

I would appreciate all the hints you could give me.

Also, I have my psych evaluation scheduled for Oct. 25 - what is the psych looking for? 

Thanks,

Deb

Hi Deb.



I had to do a liquid diet. Dr. said it was to shrink my liver and make it safer for surgery. I didn't question her...if it's for a safer surgery, I'll suffer through it...and I did.



I'm sure it's hard not to have your DP. You're probably getting a headache from caffeine withdrawal. It will be better in a couple of days.



With my psych eval, he was looking for a couple of things...that I knew what I was getting myself into and ready for a lifetime change in my eating habits, that I had a good chance of handling the weight loss and that my expectations were realistic.



Hope that helps you somewhat.

My psych eval was pretty much the same thing, he asked questions about how I would handle stress after surgery since food wouldn't be an option at that point; also what my weight expectations were; if  I knew all the risks; things  like that.  I was SOOOO nervous before my appt. but it really wasn't that bad.  Welcome, and Good  Luck!! 

Hello Deb, Welcome to the Message Board!  We are happy to have you.  Most people are gentle here so no worries!   : )   Sounds to me your still in the process of getting all your tests and eval's.  Is your insurance requireing you to be on a pre-op diet this soon before surgery or is that just your doctors requirements?  I was put on my pre-op diet 2 weeks before my surgery date.   What I was told by my nutritionist was to ween myself off caffeine at that point.  I didn't have to cut it off completely but by the time I was to have surgery I should be off it completely.  Its a little concerning that you have to do the no diet pepsi cold turkey.  My habit / addiction was to coffee and some diet coke.  I did ween myself and I haven't had any caffeine since surgery.  I actually didn't even get the headaches doing it that way and let me tell you I was a serious coffee drinker!     I'm just wondering if it would be that big of a deal if you just took the first week at least to cut back and work you way to none????    I agree with the other poster... the diet is about reducing the size of your liver so that the surgery will go safer.  Most over weight people have a very large liver.   Not having caffeine is important since it hinders your weight loss.   Also a lot of the times the pre-op diet is to show the doctor/ insurance that you are serious about making a life style change... each doctor and insurance is different.  Mine was very layed about about the issue and my insurance didn't require any of that from me.  I was very lucky.   My previous Surgeon years ago ( when I was going to have the gastric bypass) required that I be on a pre-op diet for 3 mo.  and wanted me to lose 100lbs lol he was off his rocker.. i manged to do a mostly protein no more than 600 calories a day diet for that  time and lost 70lbs.  I ended up changeing my mind about him and the surgery.   If you can, relax about the evaluation, mostly they just want to know you realize what your choosing to do and you are stable to make the change.. I really liked my psychiatric doctor!  She was great! Good luck with your journey.... Sandra

Deb, Welcome!!! Congrats on beginning your journey!! I can't offer much help with the pre-op diet you're on - I am doing 12 weeks of Medifast shakes so it's a different animal but I will say it does get easier as you keep going!!! My doc said mine was to shrink the liver & lose weight to make the surgery safer & that was all I needed to hear!!!! I was afraid that if I didn't lose the weight he wanted I wouldn't be able to have the lap RNY & I'd be darned if I was going to have to have the open if there was something I could do to help the cause!!!  My psych appt was a piece of cake!! I sat in a room with the doc & since I was his last patient of the day we sat in the waiting room (it was cooler & more comfy - I sat in an awesome rocking chair!!)! Anyway we just talked - he asked questions I answered & then I was given the chance to voice any concerns I may have had. This guy was great!! I felt comfortable with him & definitely will go back to him if/when I need him again!!! He told me right then & there that he was convinced that I was an excellent candidate & had no qualms giving his thumbs up for me!! He said he looked forward to seeing how I do!! So don't worry!! I know each doc is different but just go with the flow!!! All they want to know is if you understand what you're getting into... that you don't have issues that would cause you problems... that you know you have to make changes - FOREVER & can handle them & that you have a great support system to help you!! (At least that's what my guy was looking for!!)  You'll be fine!! God luck!! Cece

Hi Deb. Just wanted to welcome you aboard and wish you the best on the very beginning of an unbelievable ride. Please keep us updated.

i myself never understood pre op diets i mean if we could lose the weight on our own why would we be researching surgery? me personally when i got my date i ate like i was going to the chair!!!!!! i always thought it was complete torture to diet before being approved for surgery but unfortunetly some insurance companys require it

Hi there, Deb.  I definately agree with Sandra.  Not to go against your doctor's orders, but how would he know if you taper off the DP?  at least go down by 1 can a day , then 1/2 the last couple of days & drink lots & lots of water.  I've never heard of anyone having to give up caffine  cold turkey so long before surgery.  Caffine withdrawal headaches are killer.  Why should you suffer more than you already are?