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.