Hi Everyone.

I am considering having the Lap Band surgery and I am so glad I found this website! I see a lot of people have to do a pre-op diet. I was wondering what the reason is for doing this? I would love to hear from you guys! Thanks!

Jennifer

Most surgeons want you to lose 10 to 15lbs before surgery for your own safety because being over weight and having surgery is a risk in its self. If you dont lose weight on your own before surgery most doctors will put you on a liquid protein diet before surgery about two weeks. I never had to do that its all about your doctor.

Losing weight before surgery is good but as far as I was told by my doctor, the real purpose for the pre op diet is to shrink the live. Obese people have fatty livers. The liver lays on top of the stomach were the band is placed. It is much easier for the surgeon to move the liver out of the way if it is not so fat during the surgery. It makes the surgery a more safe procedure by reducing the size of the liver.

My surgeon also told me it had to do with shrinking the liver.

Your pre-op diet may depend on how much weight you need to lose and how "fatty" your doctor suspects your liver is.

You will read on this forum that there are varying types of pre-op diets

My Dr. also said the pre-op diet is for the purpose of shrinking the liver.