Pre-op liquid fasting? What was yours like?

Hi! I'm new and am on Day 5 of my 2 week liquid diet. This is NO fun. Can you tell me what yours was like? What liquids did you have and how much, etc.? I'm supposed to be doing Optifast, but that was so expensive. I'm using SlimFast instead. Bad idea? I'm also having chicken broth once a day for something warm. This is the first day I'm feeling really hungry and having some negative feelings about this. Any encouraging words? Thanks, Yvette

Yvette - I am on day three of five days of liquid diet I have to do pre-op. It's not fun. I am able to have one protein shake (the only thing that stays with you for more than 5 minutes) per day through today, then Monday and Tuesday are clear liquids only. Other than the protein shake, I have just made sure I constantly have something to drink - I have also eaten ALOT of sugar free jello and some sugar free popsicles - they at least give you more of a sensation that you are actually eating something. Mainly, I am just trying to stay focused on the goal and to find comfort in the fact that I know if I do exactly what my surgeon told me to do my odds are better that I won't create any complications for myself. You can do it!!! Hang in there! Brenda

MMPC, where I went through, had everyone on the Bariatrix products. It was $180 for the products which were a 4 week supply (2 weeks before & 2 weeks after surgery). I had some cream of broccoli soup, cream of chicken soup & chicken noodle soup. There was also boullion, ready to open shakes and a pudding mix that could either be pudding or a shake. I was happy to be done with them but I was not hungry at all with them. In fact the first few days after surgery, it was really tough getting all the protein in. Are you pre or post surgery? If you are post, is there enough protein in the SlimFast? If not, you might have to go to GNC or somewhere to get some whey protein to add to it. I use the AnyWhey which has no taste. I'm 4 weeks out and I add it to mashed potatoes, soup, pudding and even with my cottage cheese. This way I know I'm getting the protein they want me to get.

My pre-op diet was not liquid. I had two weeks of very low carb, only 15 grams a day, designed to shrink my liver before surgery. Appearently my surgeon doesn't like a big liver flopping around in the way. I lost 12 lbs. on this diet even over Christmas dinner! I was very concientious because I didn't want to do anything to sabotage my surgery. My liquid diet came after surgery only. Watch out for slimfast it has lots of sugar in it usually.

Yvette, I had to do a 7 day liquid diet. All I was allowed to have were my 5 Opti-Fast shakes a day and all the water I wanted. No soups, broth, crystal light, nothing. After day 3 I only drank about 2 shakes a day - gagged on every one!!! I guzzled water constantly. It did get a little easier after day 3 I have to admit. There were a few times that I was all set to cheat but thankfully I had friends around that detoured me until I worked through it. I HATED every minute of it!! The day of my surgery I was shocked to see that I had lost 22 pounds on my evil liquid diet!!! My surgeon said it made a huge difference with the surgery as far as shrinking my liver and loosening things up for him since I had laparoscopic. YOU CAN DO IT!! Keep busy and drink lots of water, it is worth the effort. Didn't mean to ramble - that's my two cents. Best of luck to you.

Hello Yvette, I had to be on liquids for three weeks. I had slimfast protein three times a day and water. I wasn't hungery but it did get old. I lost 25 lbs which pleased my surgeon. God Bless, Cathy

Yvette; Which SlimFast are you using? If I remember correctly, the regular SlimFast has more protein than the SlimFast Optima. So you may feel better if you try the higher protein version. With regard to the negative feelings, keep your eye on the long term goal. It is soooooo worth it! And in hindsight, this two weeks will feel like the blink of an eye. Blessings, Jennifer 253 / 159 / 137

I had to do a 2 week liquid pre-op as well. The first few days were the hardest but after that got a little better. Just remind yourself in the end it will all be worth it - it definately was for me! Use this time to learn how to get all your protein and liquids in - it is much harder post-op!! Im glad I had the chance to figure out how much I needed to drink by certain times of the day so I could get everything in! Here is what I had to do 6 carnation instant bfast no sugar added a day - made with FF milk (I used soy) 6 cups liquid (water or SF drinks) "Blenderized" soups light yougert SF jello, pudding, ice pops Coffee - no sugar,cream or caffene No Soda