Before my surgery, I thought the hardest part would be the recovery. I was wrong. The liquid diet leading up to surgery tested me in ways I didn’t expect — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It felt like everything familiar about eating was suddenly gone, and I had to find new ways to cope, new routines to lean on, and new ways to take care of myself. The mental aspect of bariatric surgery is by far the most difficult.
Looking back now, that phase taught me more about resilience than anything else.
The Pre‑Op Liquid Diet: The Hardest Part I Didn’t See Coming
The pre‑op liquid diet was a shock to my system. Not just because of the hunger, but because of the sudden change in routine. The first three days were the worst, I was hungry all the time. But then the hunger took a backseat to the emotional upheaval. I was used to chewing, tasting, preparing meals — and suddenly everything was blended, sipped, or measured.
There were moments when it felt impossible. Moments when I questioned whether I could actually do it. Moments when I had to remind myself why I started.
What helped me get through it were the small things:
- Keeping my drinks cold – I can’t stand protein drinks (or any drinks for that matter) room temperature, they have to be COLD!
- Spacing them out so I didn’t feel overwhelmed – I kept to a tight schedule, helped by many, many phone alarms.
- Distracting myself when cravings hit – Now that food wasn’t there to comfort or fill time, I had to find other things. I started walking (a great healthy habit to start before surgery!), organizing, cleaning, anything to keep my mind off food.
- Reminding myself it was temporary – This felt like a lie at the time! But it’s not, the liquid diet and all the restrictions are temporary. And even when you are back on normal food, your pouch size limits what you can have, and over time this just becomes the new normal and also limits cravings.
- Focusing on the bigger picture – I wanted to be healthier for my kids and my family, I wanted to be able to buy clothes are a regular store in the mall, I just wanted to feel better! That’s what all this was for.
It wasn’t easy. But I survived it.
Surgery Day: A Strange Mix of Calm and Fear
The morning of my surgery felt surreal. I was nervous, hopeful, and strangely calm all at once. I had done everything I could to prepare, started exercising, stuck to the liquid diet, saw my nutritionist regularly, and now it was time to trust the process.
I remember the quiet moments before being taken back — the deep breaths, the last checks, the feeling of letting go. And then, suddenly, it was over. I woke up groggy, sore, and ready to start my new life and relationship with food.
The First Days of Recovery: Slow, Gentle, and Full of Learning
My physical recovery was much easier than I had thought it would be. I had surgery on a Tuesday, and went back to work on Monday. I spent my days sipping 1oz cups of liquid every 15 minutes and dreaming about eating solid food. The hardest thing in those first days was hydration, I felt like I was constantly drinking, and my new stomach got full FAST, even from liquids. I used that week to rest and heal, and plan my way forward with my new stomach.
The Post‑Op Liquid Phase: A Different Kind of Challenge
I thought the post‑op liquid phase would feel familiar after the pre‑op diet, but it was different. My body reacted differently. My stomach felt new, sensitive, and unpredictable. I had to relearn how to sip slowly, how to pace myself, and how to recognize fullness in a completely new way.
Some days were easier than others. Some drinks sat well. Some didn’t. And that was part of the process. This was much harder than the pre-op liquid diet. At this point I had been on liquids for three weeks. My stomach didn’t care, but my mind wanted to chew something! The head hunger and cravings were so bad, but I stuck to the plan and made it through.
What helped me most was giving myself grace. I didn’t expect perfection — just progress, small steps that would (hopefully) add up to a big win in the end.
What I Learned Through It All
This part of my journey taught me things I didn’t expect:
- That I’m stronger than I thought
- That change is uncomfortable but possible
- That routines matter
- That healing takes patience
- That food is emotional, not just physical
Most of all, I learned that starting over doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s slow. Sometimes it’s just choosing to keep going, even when it’s hard.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m writing this because I know how overwhelming these phases can feel. The liquid diets, the surgery, the recovery — they’re not just physical experiences. They’re emotional ones too.
If you’re in the middle of it, or about to start, I hope my story helps you feel a little less alone. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. You’re just supposed to take it one day at a time.
And that’s enough.
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