[tigra1965]

Dear All - I really need some advice and quickly please.

As you may not be aware I am in the UK and I dont know how they deal with this in the USA, but I've found this all kind of strange.

After last seeing my surgeon in November 06 I should have had a dieticians appointment - this never arrived due to her busy schedule. Then last friday (9th March) I received a phone call to say I have to begin the pre-op diet as of the 12th march. My problem is that I dont actually see the pre-op clinic until a week after this pre-op diet has begun. The only advice I have been given was to eat, clear soup, apparently packet soup without any lumps (???), jelly and clear fluids (so no milk, solids etc..).

Yesterday on my first day of the diet, I was in a right mess and felt seriously ill and today I feel only a tiny bit better. I seriously dont know what they mean by the clear soup and I know I probably sound stupid - but I'm not. Do they mean just a stock or can it be something else. I suppose what I'm worried about is that yesterday I could not have eaten more than a couple of hundred calouries if that and my daughter was very worried. In both her and my mind - if I carried on at only having that little calouries to eat then I am going to become very ill after two weeks and not be able to recover from my surgery properly.

Could some kind person please clear this up for me - I really need advice on this one please. thank you

[fr1endly2]

(((HUG))))
sorry your having some last minute confusions.
I didnt have to do the pre op diet like that but
had to loose 25 lbs to have surgery. ITS an important
issue and probably for the same reasons as my
required weight loss to reduce your fatty liver
size for safe lap surgery and it reduces complications.

NOW when i first had my surgery i was on clear liquieds
and the soup at that stage was only beef or chicken
broth (no lumps and chunks) a clear liquid diet is
anything that you can see thru.....

I was allowed sugar free jello, water, propel, crystal light products,
sugar free popsicles, sugar free kool aides. A sudden change in diet
this way it can happen that you dont feel well as your having withdrawals
from the every day things......carbs, caffine and so on. ITS not easy
pre op going on such a diet but its for your safety for the surgyer.
HONESTLY, if i was you i would call the nutritionists office and find
out what you can and cant have on this clear liquid diet. MAYBE they would allow you a protein shake just now pre op...i know some go on medifast diet (shakes ) pre op every surgeon has different rules and so do the nutritionist....maybe a phone call will help to be sure your doing this
very important phase right, i sure hate to find out you did it wrong and jeopardize your surgery date.

GOOD LUCK
HUGS

[DocSanae]

Some surgeons in the US put their patients on clear liquid diets 2 weeks prior to the surgery, then there are those who put them on Optifast for a while, then others like Lisa's say lose 10% of your weight, while others say nothing...depends on the surgeon, and how they feel will be the best for their patients, actually.
For your liquid diet, I think you've got it pretty much right what you should do. Sounds like you are having a kind of withdrawal from all the processed stuff around us. Although you may feel hungry, you have enough stored in you to last the 2 weeks, so rest assured you will be fine and ready for your surgery, just be sure that you get the liquids in so you won't dehydrate.
((((((HUGS)))))) Hope you're feeling better today.

[bren]

I was on a 10 day liquid diet and it consisted of the things Lisa said, anything you can see through. Also sugr free jello, sugar free popsicles (which help when your really hungry) etc.

[tigra1965]

Thanks girls - you dont know how relieved I feel at hearing the above. Today I'm feeling alittle better - the violent headache is now like a dull tightening around my head, so I must have got over the worst of it.

I have telephoned the hospital and they are trying to find me someone to talk to about all of this - so hopefully I should have the information by this afternoon. I have restricted myself to no driving at the present too, as I still feel quite light headed and dont want any accidents.

Again thank you for being there - it really does help

[fr1endly2]

HANG in there juls!
each day will get better!!!
YOUR doing wonderful!!!!

[tigra1965]

Lisa

well today I fell off the wagon so to speak. Instead of straining my soups to get out any bits (it was minestrone) - I just ate it. I have worked out that calorie wise I am getting less that 500 a day - surely that cannot be right. My major concern is that I also take 20mg of cipralex daily and this needs to have SOME food with it, no matter how little. Has anyone else had this?

[fr1endly2]

((HUG)) talk to your surgeon regarding the precription your on and ask how to handle it ...i didnt have the pre op clear liquid diet but many doo....
I think its got to be hard if you cant even take a protein drink during this time. I feel you need to ask if you can use a clear protein drink they make varities that are in the clear liquid catigory and that might help you to be having your meds with food
(((HUG)))
i know it must be hard, needless to say was looseing 25 lbs pre op.....there all difficult tasks and i know some feel if we could do
this would we need the surgery!
HANG in there and phone the ones in charge of what your able to have and see what your to do with a med that needs food!

[howietam]

Hello Juls!
Surgeons are different and have different requirements. I didn't have to do clear liquids before surgery.
I did have a rather lengthy talk with my dietitian and she rec I start some of the protein supps before hand. They also suggested I be looking over the post op diets and getting familiar with the stages.
I wouldn't hesitate to call either my MD or the dietitian with any questions, especially if you are not feeling well.

[tigra1965]

Hiya Guys - just an update really. Firstly I would like to say thank you for all your replys - they do help.

Well I have to stay on the pre-op clear fluids diet or my surgeon will not do the surgery - its just his way. On the upside the headaches are nearly gone - just a dull ache and I have lost 6lb since monday.

I have managed to get an emergency appointment with the dietician tomorrow straight after my pre-op assessment - so that has made me feel much better. Also I have now adjusted to the fluid diet, which I never in a million years thought I would do lol.

So now its just the nerves kicking in - cos the op is on the 26th March. My partner is a bit weird too at the moment. He has told me constantly over the past couple of days that I dont need this op - that I can do it myself. Personally I wonder if he's feeling a little threatened by my imminent weight loss, especially since he has put weight on recently. He knows this is the start of a whole new life for me and maybe he's worried. Has anyone else had this ?