Should I buckle down?

just because that was right for you doesn't mean the OP has the same needs or requirements. My liver reduction diet pre-op will be 2 weeks not 4.5 months. and you're right it didn't hurt you at all, and maybe the bucket list won't hurt the OP. I too have a bucket list and will go through with eating it all because I won't be eating like that post op not in one month, one year, or ten years.

I was talking to my doctor about things I read on here and he says that is why he'd never go on a forum like this.. he'd have heart palpations at what people say they "must" do or what they eat at what stage.

It's pretty obvious or she would have said that her nutritionist was okay with it and she wouldn't have to ask here.

Hmm.  I would think, if she is waiting for her surgery date, she's probably already seen a dietician.  I think you usually have to meet the dietician before getting approved for surgery, but maybe not in all cases.

Do most dieticians tell patients what to eat and what not to eat prior to the beginning of any special pre-op diet?  Mine didn't.  So I would not have known if my dietician thought it was OK to eat single servings of things like crab legs and pasta before my pre-op diet or not.

 It seems to be important to you to have the last word so that is fine with me.  My surgery was a few years after your's so it's possible that research has made improvements to the pre-op requirements.  I stand by my original post.

I agree ^ according to the clinic almost everyone has to see a nutrionist to even get approved, I know I did for 6 months. Neither did she tell me what to eat, she just told me to eat thinks in portions. She made suggestions, but she knows I'm a picky eater..

About a week into the required six weeks pre-op classes, I, and just about everyone in class, began to do deprivation eating.  The nutritionist running the classes said that it is something most of her patients do.  She said that it is natural to "store up" when we think that deprivation is coming.  We weren't to worry unless we gained 3 or more pounds.   The crazy thing about it, of course, is that we did the deprivation eating knowing that eventually we will be able to eat some of our favorites.  So, don't worry or beat yourself up.  Just try to exercise and cut back the calories as best you can -- when you can.

Good luck,

Hattie

You're not doing too badly.  I also ate a FEW things before surgery.  I might have eaten more, but I kept reminding myself, I can eat that or that or that after surgery!!            I'm doing fine post op and am following the guide lines.  You'll be fine also.  I would consider starting  the modified diet though.  The more you shrink your liver, the better off your surgeon is.      Best wishes

Once I got the approval and the surgery date, I did the "bucket list" thing, too.  I did it, I got it over with, and I'm glad I did it!  It's funny, but now that I got that out of my system, I am not even concerned over what I will be eating next.  My husband was watching "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" last night and said, "Wow, that looks really good," when he saw some delightful and sinfully huge meal and I was just like, "Meh," where in the past I would have been tempted to go eat something because my appetite would have been whetted.

Over the last several months, I have totally weaned myself off of caffeinated beverages (and I was a big-time addict) and carbonated beverages, learned to drink 48-64 ounces of water daily, began drinking a protein shake in replacement of one meal per day, learned to eat more slowly (thereby feeling full sooner), not drinking with my meals, and reading everything I can about the surgery and post-op conditions. potential problems, etc.  I certainly have worked hard to get ready for this surgery and I know it will indeed be a life style change, so the bucket list was kind of a symbolic good-bye to the old me -- we even drove three hours from home so I could have my bucket list "last meal!"

None of us are the same and what is right for me and easy for me to do may not be right for you or easy for you to do.  If you prepare yourself physically, emotionally and intellectually for what will be an extreme change, you should do fine.  But you do need to prepare. 

I plan on eating my bucket list before the pre-op diet as well. Will I be a glutton, yes. I'm not even going to sit here and lie about it. I told the doctor that I told the psych that and I told the NUT that. the fact of the matter is that each of us our individuals and each of us need to go through what we need prior to life change.

My psych said it was healthy to mourn the loss of some habits and foods and say that last good bye. The funny thing is the number one thing on my bucket list I can have after surgery but I won't because of the amount I can take in. I LOVE brazillian steakhouses. I over indulge on all kinds of meats that I love. At $50 per person it is pricey but a treat we do for birthdays in our family. In a year when I'm eating those meats again it won't be in one sitting and I won't spend $50 to eat the amount I will be able to handle so a good bye is in order for me personally.

I was the same with stopping smoking... the paperwork said I had to stop XX weeks out and I didn't stop ONE day before that. I have cut my diet pepsi from 9 cans a day to 3 and by pre op diet time I wills top completely but there is no saying I won't have 9 the day before  I start the pre op diet.

Try to not define it as being good or bad and do what you have to to make this transition to a new life work for you. We are all different. We all have different reasons for being obese. We all have different ways to handle it. As long as you are being honest with yourself and those who are taking care of you medically don't sweat it!

 Thank you Mrs. Litch!