Struggling with Pre Op Diet

[robbynnoel]

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))

I'm really struggling to stick with my pre op. I think part of the problem is that this is pre op part deux. I lost 20 lbs the first time through (my surgeon was in San Francisco) a few months ago. Then I switched doctors and my surgery is next week and I really need to get on the ball with the pre op again. I gained 6 lbs waiting for the new surgery date. I'm dieting and I'm doing a program (the way it's designed...I even exercised today) but I know I should really tighten it up more.

Just wondering if anyone else had difficulty getting focused. For some reason my motivation is flat...I think it's because I'm scared about going under the general anesthesia (not just scared...paniced and convinced I'm not going to wake up after...). Dr. Miranda let me know the more I lose the less time under the general anesthesia. You'd think that would be a motivator but for some reason it's not.

[mona-camille]

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))

I'm really struggling to stick with my pre op. I think part of the problem is that this is pre op part deux. I lost 20 lbs the first time through (my surgeon was in San Francisco) a few months ago. Then I switched doctors and my surgery is next week and I really need to get on the ball with the pre op again. I gained 6 lbs waiting for the new surgery date. I'm dieting and I'm doing a program (the way it's designed...I even exercised today) but I know I should really tighten it up more.

Just wondering if anyone else had difficulty getting focused. For some reason my motivation is flat...I think it's because I'm scared about going under the general anesthesia (not just scared...paniced and convinced I'm not going to wake up after...). Dr. Miranda let me know the more I lose the less time under the general anesthesia. You'd think that would be a motivator but for some reason it's not.

If you are convinced you won't wake up after surgery, then you are asking for trouble. STOP!!! Now turn that around and convince yourself that you will be fine and you will wake up with no problems!

Best of luck to you and I KNOW you will be fine!!

[jhawkchick75]

I had a lot of trouble as well - just take it one meal at a time one day at a time. If you mess up on a meal, don't worry andj just get back on track. My issue was I kept thinking to myself I needed to eat everything in sight b/c I wouldn't get it again, which I know now is not true. But back then I had this idea that I needed to go on this "farewell tour" of sorts to get in everything one last time. Besides bread I can still eat everything just not as much.

Good luck! You will do fine!

[BellCurveBabe]

My only saving grace was water water water. If I felt hungry I MADE myself drink 16 oz of water BEFORE I ate anything. It worked most of the time. I kept telling myself that it was only X more days.

The anesthesia thing is really your personal choice. You have had complications before so only you know what is best. I would call up OCC and get the explaination for exactly what will be different this time. Run the explaination by your allergy doc and see what he says.

I wish you all the luck.

[shiney42]

Robbyn, Don't think like that!

I have bad reactions to anesthesia. I wake up bad, Crying, cold, weird stuff

[robbynnoel]

If you are convinced you won't wake up after surgery, then you are asking for trouble. STOP!!! Now turn that around and convince yourself that you will be fine and you will wake up with no problems!

Best of luck to you and I KNOW you will be fine!!

((((((((((((((((((((((((Mona)))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you for your post. I really appreciate it. You are absolutely right. The OCC has given me a complete, detailed plan of exactly how they are going to handle my situation. I'm so thankful I changed doctors.

Hugs.

xo

[robbynnoel]

I had a lot of trouble as well - just take it one meal at a time one day at a time. If you mess up on a meal, don't worry andj just get back on track. My issue was I kept thinking to myself I needed to eat everything in sight b/c I wouldn't get it again, which I know now is not true. But back then I had this idea that I needed to go on this "farewell tour" of sorts to get in everything one last time. Besides bread I can still eat everything just not as much.

Good luck! You will do fine!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((JHawkChick)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you thank you thank you. You've made me feel human. There is another board where there is a thread that is huge...thousands of posts and 99.9 percent say they followed the pre op to the letter and I'm thinking, "OMG am I the only person in the world who didn't follow the pre op to the letter"...sigh.

You are correct, one meal at a time.

You look amazing btw.

[robbynnoel]

My only saving grace was water water water. If I felt hungry I MADE myself drink 16 oz of water BEFORE I ate anything. It worked most of the time. I kept telling myself that it was only X more days.

The anesthesia thing is really your personal choice. You have had complications before so only you know what is best. I would call up OCC and get the explaination for exactly what will be different this time. Run the explaination by your allergy doc and see what he says.

I wish you all the luck.

(((((((((((((((((((((((BellCurveBabe))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you. That is a very good point. I need to amp up the water.

xo

[robbynnoel]

Robbyn, Don't think like that!

I have bad reactions to anesthesia. I wake up bad, Crying, cold, weird stuff

((((((((((((((((((((Shiney)))))))))))))))))))))

Hugs. Sounds as if we're in this together. I'm so sorry to hear you've had issues as well. I wonder how common it is?

xo

[arianna]

Hi Robbyn,

At least you are doing a pre-op diet. I did my band in Kuwait and I was never told to go on any sort of pre-op diet. In fact, I did the reverse. I celebrating the fact that I was going to get the band by eating out and enjoying all my favourite foods. so by the time my surgery date came around, I'd gained 7lbs. not smart. I'm just now discovering that everyone else had to do a pre-op diet and were given a list of instructions to follow. I just joined this forum a couple of weeks ago because I needed support. so far it's great and I have to admit I've definitely been working more with the band now than the past few months.

You will be fine. Get those thoughts out of your mind. Don't focus on the anaesthesia and the surgery itself. Instead focus on what's to come after. How great you're going to feel and look when those pounds start to come off. Don't be so hard on yourself about not being able to stick to the diet to the T. That's unrealistic.

Let me know how it all goes.

Arianna

From Kuwait

[nursemom]

Robbyn, Don't think like that!

I have bad reactions to anesthesia. I wake up bad, Crying, cold, weird stuff

Although it is scary and not ideal, lots of people wake up from anesthesia like that (cold/crying). Sometimes, it is just part of the surgery process. HOWEVER, at OCC they put you out fast and you aren't under very long. I usually have probs with traditional anesthesia and did great at OCC. They do thousands of these surgeries and are very good at what they do. GOOD LUCK!

[shiney42]

Hi Robbyn,

At least you are doing a pre-op diet. I did my band in Kuwait and I was never told to go on any sort of pre-op diet. In fact, I did the reverse. I celebrating the fact that I was going to get the band by eating out and enjoying all my favourite foods. so by the time my surgery date came around, I'd gained 7lbs. not smart. I'm just now discovering that everyone else had to do a pre-op diet and were given a list of instructions to follow. I just joined this forum a couple of weeks ago because I needed support. so far it's great and I have to admit I've definitely been working more with the band now than the past few months.

You will be fine. Get those thoughts out of your mind. Don't focus on the anaesthesia and the surgery itself. Instead focus on what's to come after. How great you're going to feel and look when those pounds start to come off. Don't be so hard on yourself about not being able to stick to the diet to the T. That's unrealistic.

Let me know how it all goes.

Arianna

From Kuwait

WOW Kuwait! Wow- that's far........... Are you Americain

[MyNewLife]

Robbyn,

I am CONVINCED you will do great. You have ALREADY accomplished so much and NEVER have you given up on this process. I dont know if I could have taken everything you have went through, but YOU have done it. The stress of surgery, getting a surgery date, not having a surgery date, having a surgery date....WOW, you have already overcome SO much! This is doing to be a downhill slide! Just think about how strong of a person YOU are. This may be tough, but 100% worth it! You CAN DO THIS. Like Shelby said, dont look at it as I got this number of days left, take it one day at a time. Fiber pills are WONDERFUL for the Hunger pains!

You are such an inspiration ALREADY !!!!

I only wish you the best, you so deserve it!

Carrie

[robbynnoel]

Robbyn,

I am CONVINCED you will do great. You have ALREADY accomplished so much and NEVER have you given up on this process. I dont know if I could have taken everything you have went through, but YOU have done it. The stress of surgery, getting a surgery date, not having a surgery date, having a surgery date....WOW, you have already overcome SO much! This is doing to be a downhill slide! Just think about how strong of a person YOU are. This may be tough, but 100% worth it! You CAN DO THIS. Like Shelby said, dont look at it as I got this number of days left, take it one day at a time. Fiber pills are WONDERFUL for the Hunger pains!

You are such an inspiration ALREADY !!!!

I only wish you the best, you so deserve it!

Carrie

((((((((((((((((((((((((Carrie))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much for your post. I really appreciate it. Aside from the surgery there is so much going on in my personal life now...I have so many attorney's it makes my head spin. (An attorney for an accident my mom and youngest daughter were in a few years ago, an attorney for my mother's probate - that court hearing is today, and lastly, an attorney because I want to move out of state and I'm divorced - child custody stuff).

Phew. I would say I can't believe how much stuff is hitting me at one time but it's been a constant whirl wind of extraordinary stressors (one after another after another after another) since September 06. I'd like to get off the roller coaster...my husand would like to get off the roller coaster...thank god we have a strong relationship.

Wow, now my head is flashing back on the past few years...it really has been a lot.

[mona-camille]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((JHawkChick)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you thank you thank you. You've made me feel human. There is another board where there is a thread that is huge...thousands of posts and 99.9 percent say they followed the pre op to the letter and I'm thinking, "OMG am I the only person in the world who didn't follow the pre op to the letter"...sigh.

You are correct, one meal at a time.

You look amazing btw.

I think a lot of those 99.9 percent are lying! It's easy to slip on the pre-op. Why wouldn't it be? Thats why the lap band was invented, for people who needed it! If you had 100 % will power, you wouldn't be getting a band.

But, just try your best and if it helps, look at it this way - the more fat you lose from your liver by being on the pre-op, the quicker and easier the surgery goes. Plus, your recovery will be faster.

And for Gods sake, don't so what I did!!!! I was afraid I would never be able to eat my favorite foods again, so I went on an eating spree at all my favorite places. You will still be able to eat wherever you like and whatever you like. It will just be smaller portions. I went hog wild because I thought it was the last time I could eat what I wanted and it just wasn't true. Knowing that ahead of time would have prevented me from going crazy.

Anyway, you are going to need to post just as soon as you wake up because I for one, will be waiting to hear from you!

And most important, say out loud several times a day: I AM GOING TO BE FINE AND THIS WILL BE EASY AND I WILL WAKE UP READY TO START MY NEW WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY!

[ValleyGirl]

Somethine else I found helpful on the pre-op diet (mine was 2 shakes per day plus a Lean Cuisine) was exchanging the Lean-Cuisine for a healthy home-made meal instead. I found that WAY more satisfying. I emailed Dr. Miranda to find out how many cals, fat. protein should be in my one meal per day and I don't remember the numbers but you should do the same- especially since you are a good cook!

I would have things like a huge salad with salmon or grilled chicken breast or peppers stuffed with ground turkey- much bigger portions than a Lean Cuisine and often lower cals and fat to boot! Hope that helps mix things up a little. Play around with Shake recipes too. You can mix flavors or add a small amount of fruit- I even put coffee in mine to make them like frapaccinos!

Sabrina:)

[arianna]

WOW Kuwait! Wow- that's far........... Are you Americain

yes I'm American but living in Kuwait. There are a lot of americans here...working and some married to Kuwaitis.

[Smiley]

And for Gods sake, don't so what I did!!!! I was afraid I would never be able to eat my favorite foods again, so I went on an eating spree at all my favorite places. You will still be able to eat wherever you like and whatever you like. It will just be smaller portions. I went hog wild because I thought it was the last time I could eat what I wanted and it just wasn't true. Knowing that ahead of time would have prevented me from going crazy.

I don't know about you all, but I have found that I eat out more after being banded. What I mean by this is that a regular meal at a restaurant will usually turn in to 3 or 4 meals for me. So, not only do get to eat it fresh and hot with my friends, but I also eat on it about 2 or 3 more times as leftovers.

[jhawkchick75]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((JHawkChick)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you thank you thank you. You've made me feel human. There is another board where there is a thread that is huge...thousands of posts and 99.9 percent say they followed the pre op to the letter and I'm thinking, "OMG am I the only person in the world who didn't follow the pre op to the letter"...sigh.

You are correct, one meal at a time.

You look amazing btw.

Thanks so much! And ditto to what Mona said....those people are being big fat FIBBERS!!!!!!! If it were that easy then I wouldn't need the band. I would bet all the money I have that many of them didn't follow the program every meal every time. Don't worry - just take it day to day and do your best. You will do great!