Pre -Transplant Diet and Exercise Ideas

Great topic, Rosemary! Last year we interviewed Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester on the topic of weight gain AFTER transplant. She had lots of good tips for getting the scale to go down, and I assume many of these are relevant to patients looking to get healthy before their transplant too.

Cooking and Meal Planning:
-Plan meals ahead of time.
-When designing a meal, follow the MyPlate method.
-Use cooking methods that will keep the foods out of reach for snacking, such as a slow cooker.

Eating:
-Be aware of your portion sizes.
-Eat more fruits and vegetables.
-Choose whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products most often.
-Keep treats like cake, candy, cookies, chips or soda to a minimum.
-If still hungry after meals using the MyPlate method, reach for more fruits and vegetables.
-Make sure you are drinking enough noncaloric fluids.

Exercise:
-Get active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly. It is better to split this up and do at least 20 minutes most days of the week.
-Do weight training. Add this in to boost your muscle mass after your surgeon clears you to do so, since muscle burns more calories at rest than fat does.

Here's the link to the full post: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/weight-gain-after-transplant-where-does-it-come-from-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it-2/.

@rosemarya @colleenyoung
Thanks ladies for helping us discuss how important it is to be in shape for the changing moment of our lives. We will need all of our energy just to get thru the operation!
For me, that was a big wake up call. I somehow...managed to put on 20 lbs in 1 yr after diagnosis of Stage 4 Cirrhosis. I was and still am dead tired...not even able to get out of bed some days. No appetite...didnt even want to see the kitchen let alone go to the food store. As a young woman I was always athletic and active..cheerleader..aerobic dancing instructor...didnt know what a diet was! Suddenly I find myself in strange territory. Some of the answers are there..water retention...portal hypertension and throw in a little HE for fun! So after my evaluation at Mayo Jax...things are changing...
Because each of us has our own special set of complications... ie diabetes, etc. each of us has a different plan of attack.
I am now on the Medditeranean Diet. It's not too hard on me because I always ate pretty healthy food. The water weight was killing me so Im now reading labels and eliminating sugar and salt...best I can. I spent a whole day researching before I even attempted the grocery store. Remember nothing in a box, bag, or can is your friend. Read the labels. Fluids are very difficult for me. I never drank coffee, gave up
beer and soda years ago...not a big fan of water as I don't think it's a good idea to switch around especially when traveling. Thought fruit juice would work ... still too much sugar...switched to lemonade watered down...didnt work. So.....I found bottled water that I add fresh berries or fruit and a pinch of Stevia ...seems to be working. Diuretics were increased and now Im losing weight and have a little more spunk. Exercise is a whole other subject that I will talk about next time I get the motivation to get on here again.
That's part of what I am doing. I cant tell you how important finding motivation is. We each find it differently. We just have to be receptive to desiring to make the effort....
It is worth it...you WILL, of course, make yourself ready for receiving that gift of life. The former owner of my new liver deserves it....
Carry on.....

Great topic, Rosemary! Last year we interviewed Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester on the topic of weight gain AFTER transplant. She had lots of good tips for getting the scale to go down, and I assume many of these are relevant to patients looking to get healthy before their transplant too.

Cooking and Meal Planning:
-Plan meals ahead of time.
-When designing a meal, follow the MyPlate method.
-Use cooking methods that will keep the foods out of reach for snacking, such as a slow cooker.

Eating:
-Be aware of your portion sizes.
-Eat more fruits and vegetables.
-Choose whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products most often.
-Keep treats like cake, candy, cookies, chips or soda to a minimum.
-If still hungry after meals using the MyPlate method, reach for more fruits and vegetables.
-Make sure you are drinking enough noncaloric fluids.

Exercise:
-Get active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly. It is better to split this up and do at least 20 minutes most days of the week.
-Do weight training. Add this in to boost your muscle mass after your surgeon clears you to do so, since muscle burns more calories at rest than fat does.

Here's the link to the full post: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/weight-gain-after-transplant-where-does-it-come-from-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it-2/.

Great topic, Rosemary! Last year we interviewed Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester on the topic of weight gain AFTER transplant. She had lots of good tips for getting the scale to go down, and I assume many of these are relevant to patients looking to get healthy before their transplant too.

Cooking and Meal Planning:
-Plan meals ahead of time.
-When designing a meal, follow the MyPlate method.
-Use cooking methods that will keep the foods out of reach for snacking, such as a slow cooker.

Eating:
-Be aware of your portion sizes.
-Eat more fruits and vegetables.
-Choose whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products most often.
-Keep treats like cake, candy, cookies, chips or soda to a minimum.
-If still hungry after meals using the MyPlate method, reach for more fruits and vegetables.
-Make sure you are drinking enough noncaloric fluids.

Exercise:
-Get active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly. It is better to split this up and do at least 20 minutes most days of the week.
-Do weight training. Add this in to boost your muscle mass after your surgeon clears you to do so, since muscle burns more calories at rest than fat does.

Here's the link to the full post: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/weight-gain-after-transplant-where-does-it-come-from-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it-2/.

@rosemarya
So many factors not going well. Trying to be positive and it is really getting more difficult. I hate to complain...there are so many more worse than me.
We are dealing in FL with a natural and manmade disaster. Our waters are so polluted that manatees dolphin turtles and all marine life are dying in unheard of numbers. Maggots in the sand...cant wait for the fly invasion..
It is incredibly sad and depressing to see the beauty that we hold on to so dearly to help us through our " tough days" suffocating in front of us. Facebook has enabled us to view this horrific scene like never before. I am working hard writing and calling anyone and everyone who can help. We are in a declared disaster zone which gives us state and federal funds...but it's a drop in the bucket. Politicians are being accused of turning their heads and allowing the poison in Lake Occechobee to be released. This is traveling through the 2 rivers designated to go East to the ocean and West to the Gulf. In the Gulf we have a naturally occuring red tide which is annoying but not as dangerous. Seems this poison from the Lake mixes in the Gulf with the red tide and creates a super bacteria. This is causing all the problems and people are now sick and in the hospital. No end or solution in sight.
I am busy researching the effects on people with liver disease. I will forward any thing I find to you. One study has a an 11 page report that I am studying now. Didn't know I had to add marine biologist to my required degrees! Isn't life fun???
Ok so all of that leads to me. Along with raspy sore throat, violent headaches, itchy runny eyes and more. I went to the Dr. He immediately put me on antibiotics and prednisone in addition to my asthma meds and inhaler. Pneumonia is next and he has 2 patients in the hospital. His practice is very small. I'm doing ok so far....
That is the latest calamity in the Life and Times of Miss Jeanne..lol
Bone spurs are slowly responding to PT 3 xs/wk. I see the Podiatrist next week for further rehab planning. It kills to walk still.
Diet is working. I lost 9 lbs and felt good. I cheated...too much salt..and gained 3 back. So now know what I have to do to feel better. No Salt Salt Salt!
Have been asked to participate in a clinical trial. I go for screening next week. I'm not sure of the particulars but will let you know what Im thinking and will be looking for input from the Group.

There is my novel....wishing it were a fairy tale but it seems The Life and Times of Miss Jeanne is more of a modern tragedy! Lol
I'm ok...dealing with whatever God is dishing out. He's been in a bad mood lately....guess He has a lot on His plate too!

@rosemarya
So many factors not going well. Trying to be positive and it is really getting more difficult. I hate to complain...there are so many more worse than me.
We are dealing in FL with a natural and manmade disaster. Our waters are so polluted that manatees dolphin turtles and all marine life are dying in unheard of numbers. Maggots in the sand...cant wait for the fly invasion..
It is incredibly sad and depressing to see the beauty that we hold on to so dearly to help us through our " tough days" suffocating in front of us. Facebook has enabled us to view this horrific scene like never before. I am working hard writing and calling anyone and everyone who can help. We are in a declared disaster zone which gives us state and federal funds...but it's a drop in the bucket. Politicians are being accused of turning their heads and allowing the poison in Lake Occechobee to be released. This is traveling through the 2 rivers designated to go East to the ocean and West to the Gulf. In the Gulf we have a naturally occuring red tide which is annoying but not as dangerous. Seems this poison from the Lake mixes in the Gulf with the red tide and creates a super bacteria. This is causing all the problems and people are now sick and in the hospital. No end or solution in sight.
I am busy researching the effects on people with liver disease. I will forward any thing I find to you. One study has a an 11 page report that I am studying now. Didn't know I had to add marine biologist to my required degrees! Isn't life fun???
Ok so all of that leads to me. Along with raspy sore throat, violent headaches, itchy runny eyes and more. I went to the Dr. He immediately put me on antibiotics and prednisone in addition to my asthma meds and inhaler. Pneumonia is next and he has 2 patients in the hospital. His practice is very small. I'm doing ok so far....
That is the latest calamity in the Life and Times of Miss Jeanne..lol
Bone spurs are slowly responding to PT 3 xs/wk. I see the Podiatrist next week for further rehab planning. It kills to walk still.
Diet is working. I lost 9 lbs and felt good. I cheated...too much salt..and gained 3 back. So now know what I have to do to feel better. No Salt Salt Salt!
Have been asked to participate in a clinical trial. I go for screening next week. I'm not sure of the particulars but will let you know what Im thinking and will be looking for input from the Group.

There is my novel....wishing it were a fairy tale but it seems The Life and Times of Miss Jeanne is more of a modern tragedy! Lol
I'm ok...dealing with whatever God is dishing out. He's been in a bad mood lately....guess He has a lot on His plate too!