I am currently in the middle of the liquid diet that is required prior to the operation. This is required to jump start the weight loss but also to shrink the liver, making it easier to operate. From Monday to today, I have lost 7.5 pounds. The diet requires only full or clear liquids and keeps you to around 1,000 kcal a day.
I have been having two protein shakes and soup as my three meals. I will supplement with bone broth, popsicles, gelatin, and other things to fill in the gaps as the shakes and soup come out to less than 600 kcal. I may have cheated, today, and had a pickle. Because the calories are so low and there is no fat or cholesterol, I felt safe and it made me feel a little more human than I had been.
The most difficult thing is the lower energy. I know that will take some time to adjust to the caloric intake. With four full days between now and the surgery, the nervousness is becoming more real. On Wednesday, because of the issues with the liquid diet, I decided to start my time off the next day. It's been tough, but not as bad as I thought it would be.
The most difficult moments come when making food for my father-in-law who lives with us, or when smelling the food that him and my wife are eating. It could definitely be worse. I just can't stop thinking about how much different it will be after Wednesday.
In the meantime, tomorrow is the pick-up day for Scouting for Food, the annual food drive that we take part in. We collect mountains of food for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and other food banks in the area during a time when need is high. I am looking forward to seeing the Scouts engaged in this service.
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