Question:
Should I taper off my eating before surgery
I have just been scheduled for surgery on Aug 23. I want to spend the next couple of weeks eating some of the foods I know I will not be able to eat post op. Hubby says I should be tapering off so I dont miss eating so much post op. ( hubby normal weight) this is creating a disagreement. what do others do pre op eat or not eat?? — Amy G. (posted on July 30, 2002)
July 30, 2002
Well, I haven't heard it from the horse's mouth yet, but I am due to visit
a nutritionist in a few days in preparation for my 8/26/02 Open RNY, and I
have the feeling I am going to get told a few things. One, give up diet
soda/caffeine now. Every time I have done it before, I have fallen victim
to a terrible, three day headache. Better to go through my withdrawal now
than with an incision! Then I will really be miserable! It doesn't sound
like you are eating "everything in sight" and that is great.
None of us need to gain another pound! I have also had to quit smoking,
and I want to begin walking again in the evenings (and stop using the heat
as an excuse not to). To make this very long story a little shorter, while
there are some things we all enjoy and perhaps may never eat again after
this surgery, I am only delaying the inevitable by continuing to
OVERindulge. I want to really feel good about the surgery and about
myself. But my eating and weight have always been such a burden for me,
and if I continue with my destructive eating patterns, I will not feel
good. We've got to get through the surgery first before we can reap all
its benefits. I wish the absolute best for you, I know you will do well
& congratulations, your new life is soon to begin! God bless.
— Valerie B.
July 30, 2002
Amy,
Congrats on having a date. That was a big hurdle for me. I am 13 days
post op, and am doing well I think. I decided to eat like a pig for the
weeks prior to my surgery. I figured I was taking my food crutch away
forever, and I might as well use it while I could. Plus, there were a few
things I knew I wouldn't be able to eat again, and they needed a
"decent bon voyage"....lol. I don't know if I was right or
wrong, but I enjoyed it.
— Marian K.
July 30, 2002
Amy, I ate like a pig pre-op and guess what? Yep, I had to lose all that I
gained. I do not recommend overeating like I did. I truly wish I could
turn back the clock for myself. I would try some protein supps. to get a
feel for what you like, and eat sensibly so you'll be as healthy as
possible going into surgery. Best wishes.
— Tina B.
July 30, 2002
Aug. 23rd....suggestion....allow yourself three favorite meals or foods
that you will not be eating post-op. Eat them or it prior to the end
of--say---next week. Then, eat healthy, small portions when you do eat.
Your taste buds and cravings will all change post-op. You will be amazed.
You really will not want for anything. It is difficult to explain, but
true. Just be dilligent to yourself and your recovery plan for good health
on a daily basis. If you do manage to get a few pounds off prior to
surgery, it does give the surgeons more room in there to work!
— Barbara B.
July 30, 2002
I encourge you to eat whatever yopu want! Just try not to gain 30 pounds.
Pre op is so stressful its OK. Most of us gain weight in the weeks leading
up to surgery. Tell your hubby to chill. Since he isnt MO he cant
understand what this is like. Lots of time for loosing weight after
surgery,
— bob-haller
July 30, 2002
My surgeon's office has us going on a pre op diet of protein and veggies
only. It helped so much because it prepared me for post op and it made me
feel better. I had more strengh and less pain. Just a suggestion.
— Lawrence R.
July 30, 2002
By God, I'd eat whatever I wanted, when I wanted and HOW much I wanted! YOU
WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER... (You get the picture) be able to do it
again. I last suppered myself to death the last month. (I lost 12-15 pounds
too).
I cut out sugar, and went to Splenda and I think that is why I lost weight.
Just eat whatever you want, stop sugar and caffine if you can. Losing the
sugar and caffine will be the best thing you can stop before surgery. And
if you can, WALK. It will stregthen your heart and lungs. Best of luck to
you.
— Danmark
July 30, 2002
My surgeon's office asks for the last week to lighten the eating load and
lessen the amount of meat that you eat. I've been doing 1600 calories a
day, sticking mostly to protein, fruit and veggies and I feel better. I've
lost 41 lbs since I started this process in January. So that's 41 pounds I
won't have to lose after the surgery.
— Cathy S.
July 31, 2002
I increased my eating right before surgery, ate everything I thought I
wouldn't be able to have afterwards and gained another 13 pounds. I'm now
7 weeks post-op and down 42 pounds! Enjoy!
— Sandi L.
July 31, 2002
Amy, the camp seems divided here. I am 20 days pre-op (aug. 20) & for
the last month or so I haven't overindulged. I have started trying to be
more conscious of eating healthier things, but not always. I have gotten
off caffeine and soda. I am *trying* to get in a little exercise (walking,
stairs) but not enough as I'd wanted. I'm already starting to look at food
differently. Sweets are my downfall. I don't consider them an old friend
to have a last hurrah with. They have done nothing but betray me &
poison me, so I don't have a lot of sentimental value attached to them. If
you must, have a few last favorite meals, but do it now & then the next
couple of weeks try to pack in the protein, water & exercise. It will
help condition you for surgery. Best of luck, surgery sister!
— Robin W.
July 31, 2002
I ate like there was no tomorrow and like there was going
to be a HUGE FAMINE!!!! I suggest eating some things that
you really enjoy now, but not in HUGE quantities!!!! Why
pack on more poundage pre-op, you just have to lose it post-op!!
You know what? There will be food post-op! But you won't
want some of it and you won't be able to eat some of it and you
won't be able to eat large portions. BUT THERE WILL STILL BE
FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know your "normal" size hubby does
not understand at all. Luckily, my wife and I went thru
this surgery (open rny's) in the same year so we understood
the "LAST MEAL SYNDROME" very well. I say GO FOR
IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But don't over do, especially the last week. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!
— OLD RODEO C.
July 31, 2002
I wanted to be in the best shape possible for the surgery and minimize my
risks. I chose to spend the 5 weeks before my surgery working with a
personal trainer. I did strength training and built some muscle in my arms,
legs, and abs. I think it really helped me recover faster. While I didn't
"diet" (diets don't work--haven't you heard???) I did do some
things I knew I would have to after surgery (cut out soft drinks, ate less
sugar, no fried foods, ate more protein). I did have a few last suppers but
still managed to lose 15 pounds (I gained muscle too so that was pretty
good!). Its all in what your goals are. I heard that losing a little weight
reduces the size of your liver so the surgeon can see better. Plus the more
fit you are the less of a risk you are for surgery. I really wanted to
maximize my chances for making it thru so those are the choices I made.
Plus now I can eat darn near anything I want in moderation so I don't feel
like I am missing anything. You WILL be able to enjoy food post op. Look at
my profile--I still eat out a lot! But in the end it is your choice and not
anyone else's--even your husband. Good luck!
— ctyst
July 31, 2002
Oh girl! EAT EAT EAT!! Some of my fondest memories while I was sipping
broth in the days following my surgery were my binges b4 surgery. I went
out with a BANG... and do not regret ONE bite. And so far I dont miss it
either. I am 10 weeks out and down 64. Good luck....
— Sassy M.
July 31, 2002
I'm Lisa - nearly 4 months post op and 81 + lbs. down, I can not stress to
you enough, eat like normal or even indulge yourself a bit. Afterwards,
you'll have no other choice. I was going to start fasting 3 days earlier
than what my doctor recommended before the bowel prep but my sister was
w/me. She is an RN and she told me that I should just follow his
directions - the day before I started my fasting, I had a good, hearty meal
WITH a good hearty desert. :) I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'm not
kidding you, there is absolutely no words that can truly prepare you for
the changes that will have to occur and the eating habits that will occur
after surgery - enjoy yourself without worry, before. If your husband
wants to talk to my husband - I'm sure he'd be glad to. I would gently
tell him to please back off, be there as your rock as he's always been and
let your doctors run the show before hand - follow directions and I mean it
when I say - indulge yourself a bit. Prior to deciding on surgery, I was
always making sure not to order a milk shake like my family might w/dinner
or desert, as my family would after dinner. Even with those choices, I
still gained weight - after my surgery was scheduled though, I lifted the
bar of "no-no's" in my book and I had that hot fudged Sundae I
had passed on so many times or I ate a high-fat dinner without one ounce of
guilt. If I had it to do all over again, I'd probably do it the same OR
I'd indulge a bit more. Good luck to you w/your August 23rd surgery.
— Lisa J.
July 31, 2002
It was suggested to me by my psychologist that I get used to eating the
things I was supposed to eat after surgery (healthier, lots of protien,
etc.), but I didn't listen. I pigged out and I don't regret it. My
"last meal" before surgery was a trip to Outback Steakhouse,
complete with a LARGE order of cheese fries! I kind of treated it like a
farewell to my old self party! Good luck!
— sheltie
July 31, 2002
I don't know when I have laughed so hard as I did when I read Daniel's
answer. 6 more days to my surgery and I haven't slowed down yet.
— Margaret G.
July 31, 2002
I ate Everything I loved the most in the weeks prior to my surgery. I had
little "food funerals" every time I knew it was my last time
eating something I loved. My surgery was on Friday, May 3rd so on Sunday,
April 28th, I made that my "last meal" and went out to dinner at
my all time favorite restaurant (sushi!). Come Monday morning, I cut out
eating everything "bad", upped my morning walks, drank more water
and by Friday, I had lost 9 pounds! My eating less those last several days
before surgery also made my wonderful bowel prep much easier than if I had
eaten heavily right up until surgery. Good luck with your surgery! :o)
— Jennifer A.
Click Here to Return