In preparation for my upcoming gastric bypass surgery on December 27th I’ve started a two week liquid diet using Optifast shakes. This was prescribed by my surgeon to help shrink my internal organs before surgery so that it makes it easier for them to perform the surgery and there is less chance of them nicking some other important organ!
Before I started, I wasn’t worried about this at all. I was getting frustrated with my food choices and was looking forward to having a set schedule and not having to make decisions or try to make sure I ate such and such before surgery.
What I wasn’t prepared for was the hunger and overall obsession with food. Even though I’m getting all the protein and nutrients I need from the shakes my brain can’t seem to get past the need to chew and ingest food. Everywhere I look there is something that reminds me of food. Commercials, Facebook posts, smells, even pinterest! I’ve had to unfollow half my pinterest friends because of all the food.
I’ve stocked up on Jello and sugar free drink packets but other than that we aren’t supposed to have anything else besides the shakes. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be but I’m determined to get through this two week period and lose as much weight as possible so that there aren’t any complications with my surgery.
I’ve been trying to keep busy and distract myself but a lot of mental toughness is required to make this successful. I haven’t been able to get to the gym thanks to a nasty head cold so I’ve been relying on reading books, watching movies (no food commercials) and texting and chatting with friends to keep me occupied. One day down and only 13 more to go!
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I can imagine it’s really difficult. The restaurant & food commercials are too much, I yell at the tv a lot in the evenings because of it, lol.
I’m cheering you on! You can do it =) I hope the next few weeks pass by quickly for you. Feel better soon and best of luck with your surgery!
Quitting smoking can be bad enough, at least one can (reasonably easily) avoid smoking and smokers. But food. I can’t imagine how unbelievably hard that must be. I do, however, know that you can do it. And I know that you will succeed. And that everything will be fine.