After reading through these forums, I'm shocked at how much the pre-op diet varies. Some people didn't have one. Some people had to stick to small low-carb meals. Others were strictly liquid diets. The length seems to vary too. The practice I go to uses bariatrix products and they are mostly dehydrated powdered soup envelopes with extra protein added. I'd give anything if I could just switch to 3 small low carb low fat meals a day. What I wouldn't give just to have a salad!!