Cold Feet

No, not cold feet literally... I think I am getting cold feet about surgery and I wasn't like that until I posted the other day. I posted because I am currently on the liquid diet and not doing as well on it as I'd like... Just like everything else I do... I always seem to fail. I posted on here and i was told that if I done bad on the liquid diet i needed therapy or i needed to reschedule the surgery until i could have will power to do a 2 week liquid diet... so i guess what im trying to say is if i mess up on liquid diet pre op does that make me a bad candidate for this surgery? and i have surgery tuesday... is it normal to feel these emotions????

I don't have any experience with this since I am pre-op myself but I would say that you should consider seeing your NUT or Dr before surgery and explain your difficulties. See what they think - they hopefully have a lot of knowledge and experience they can pull from to help you. A liquid diet is probably something you have never tried before and so it is understandable that you had a hard time. I'm sure there are many others that struggled as well and maybe can offer some insight?

Just make sure you are making the right choice for you and getting the mental help To change your mind along with the surgery...

lots of us have problems with willpower. the surgery will help you.

Many of us did not have a two week liquid diet...in my case it was only three days. That said, you do want to be ready going into the surgery. Mindset is key and if you are ready, pull the trigger and do it. If you feel you are not ready, I'd talk to someone. I took almost 10 years to get there and although I now wish I had done it years ago, I also know I needed to be ready to put 100 percent into my new lifestyle. I am very happy with my decision and went into surgery excited and ready to do the work. No one can answer the are you ready question except you and talking through it with a professional, in my opinion, would be a solid option at this point. I wish you only the best with your decision and look forward to welcoming you to the bench.

I was on a 2 wk liquid diet also and there are lots of emotions and thoughts of doing bad. I think almost everyone has a little trouble at that point. If something happens dont punish yourself, just get back on track. If you were a bad candidate your Dr. would not do the surgery. Have faith, you can do it, I believe in you. The reason for the 2 weeks is to shrink your liver so it is easier for the Dr. to do the surgery. Good Luck Tuesday  

Luckily for me, the 2 week Liquid Diet wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. It certainly wasn't easy, but I pushed through it. The only advice I can give you is that thus far for myself (just shy of 6 weeks out), the surgery has done very little to change my attitude about food. I am seeing a therapist, and trying to recognize that this will be a lifelong struggle. With or without the surgery, I would have always found challenges with food.

Will power isn't something that we can gain overnight. It takes daily hard work and effort. The best you can do is get up every day and try harder than you did the day before. Best of luck to you!

Just let your surgeon know if you didn't adhere. He or she will be the one to decide if you need to reschedule. The 2 week liquid diet isn't easy but you can do it!

I think any emotions you feel are going to be normal.  This is a life changing major procedure you are about to have done.  What you need to ask yourself is why you are having the hard time and address that issue.  Do not think of yourself as a failure, this is just another hurdle in a long road of hurdles for those of us that struggle with food issues.  

That being said, my opinion (and this is just my opinion), first and foremost call Dr. Lalor's office in the morning.  He won't be there since Mon, Tues, and Wed mornings are his surgery days. However, explain your concerns and the fact that you are scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.  Maybe see if your nutritionist is available as well. Work through this, do not let it be a failure.  Second, and very important, yes I think therapy would be a good idea.  I am not saying stop your progress and go seek therapy.  I passed my psych eval with flying colors, however I recognize with all these changes I know I am going to struggle and that I think I very well may need a therapist myself.  Use a therapist as an additional tool, not a hindrance. If losing weight were an easy thing and doable for everybody, there would be no need for this surgery. We each have our own individual issues that got us were we are, we need to deal with them not only before surgery but I think continually after surgery.

Cold feet especially when you are worried about this, or rather second guessing are you doing the right thing, tells me that it is at least on your mind and you are knowledgeable that you messed up. We all mess up at some point. I will tell you, that for me the days since surgery were easier than the pre-op diet because I have not been hungry.  My biggest concern has been getting in my liquids and honestly I do not even think I would have room to be tempted to put food in my pouch. 

Please call the office in the morning and talk to someone.  Seek their opinion on whether or not you should postpone, no one elses. They know best and Dr. Lalor and his staff are very good at what they do. Also, take initiative to find yourself a therapist.  It will help you along your journey.  Keep us posted!  If Dr. Lalor decides to proceed, good luck!  You are in good hands, the staff is wonderful there and you will feel like you made a very good choice.

The liquid diet is tough. It does get easier though. The first few days are by far the toughest. 

It gets easier.. It takes a bit, but stay strong. I did the two weeks and did not stray from plan. Then after surgery I had another two weeks of liquid. The pre-diet is harder because you don't have your tool working for you.  Once your body gets used to not having sugar and carbs, you will be amazed what you can do!  Good luck to you, what you are experiencing is perfectly normal. I almost backed out at 11 p.m. the night before my surgery, wondering if I had tried everything possible. I knew the answer, and I am so happy I made my decision.