Wednesday, January 13, 2010

It's a liquid world

Been on the liquid diet for four days. Gave up my dear friend Pepsi virtually cold turkey on Saturday. Had one or two sips on Sunday and then stopped completely. No caffeine, no soda. And no food: no solid food starting Saturday too.

It's really easier than I thought. I'm getting full more easily and some foods are tasting funny - like those last two sips of Pepsi didn't taste good at all. I have lost close to a pound a day. I'm very happy with this.

Most of all I've realized that any deviation from the diet would disappoint me. I don't want to hide a few M&Ms or sneak a little soda. I want to be honest with myself and do the right thing. Right now I have amazing willpower - cookies, candy have been offered and plates left in front of me. I've touched nothing. Who knew I could do this?

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Doing the Pre-Op Diet

My doctor requires two weeks of liquid diet with less than 50 carbs a day. With the office staff there were many suggestions about what to eat during this period, sample menus and the warning: The first three days are the hardest.

My surgery is 1/22/10. I opted to start the all liquid, low-carb diet yesterday to start on the weekend. Today is Day 2 of liquid diet. So far, day 1 was easier than day 2. I wasn't really hungry yesterday. I stuck to the all liquids but I was shocked (absolutely shocked!) how many carbs were in some foods. I calculate that I ate about 120 grams of carbs. This was so surprising I went back and estimated my prior daily carb intake. All I can say is 'no wonder'. No wonder I am so overweight. It turns out that 120 gr. carbs is a major reduction in carb consumption in one day for me!

I lost .5 lbs. Not much but something for Day 1. Hopefully it wasn't just a fluke with the scale.

I spend part of last night researching my burning question - what was more important the liquids or the carbs? And why both restrictions?? I just remember the doctor saying that they want the liver to shrink prior to the surgery. I thought the carb control did this but....well, I didn't get very far with this question so I'll have to ask the doc.

I have a friend who had band surgery about four years ago. She never had a pre-op diet. Are the doctors just getting more aware of risks prior to surgery?

The past 2 - 3 months, I've waivered on the decision to be banded. I ate everything in sight and wondered why I needed surgery to get the weight off. But once we hit New Years and I knew I was about to go into the two week countdown, I was ready. I am determined to do this. I am sticking to the plan. I'm hoping I can handle this one day at a time.