So my surgery is next Friday and I have no pre-op liquid diet to follow. I'm worried that I've gained a few pounds in the last month... Will my liver be too big and cause my surgeon to say "no way" and stitch me back up on surgery day? I'm just wondering if this has happened to anyone... I'm thinking of putting myself on a liquid diet for a week just to make myself feel better!

I had my surgery November 7, 2012 and I was not required to follow a pre-surgical liquid diet. Just the day of surgery and for a week after then slowly advanced my diet. my surgery went by with out any complications and I healed rather quickly.

I didn't have to do a pre-op diet and I had no issues at all with my liver.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

I didn't have to do the typical preop diet. I only did one day (the day before) on liquids. My surgery went great.

I didn't have a pre op diet, but I had lost 20lbs prior.

I'm sure if your Dr thought there would be a problem, he would have ordered you one.

Good Luck on your journey!

You could always double check and ask your doctor if there is anything he recommended for it pre-surgery, I had a pre-op diet just to be cautious and avoid the possible 'liver too big' situation, but lots of others didn't.

I didn't have to do a pre op diet either...I did put myself on one for 3 days before surgery...no problems here!

I didn't do it either and I think it does make it easier for the doctor to move around it the liver is working hard at the time but not to big a deal he didn't even ask me nor did anyone else. Go on one if it will make you feel safer it wont hurt you .

I have heard of a few that were turned down surgery date!

I had surgery 11/8 with no pre-op diet and I only lost 2 lbs before surgery and had no problems. Just eat smartly

Wow, one day pre-op diets, or none at all! I had TWO WEEKS of liquids! No joking. It is standard for my doctors entire practice. I say, if it makes you feel better, do a little diet of your own. It can't hurt! =)

It does seem to be common for surgeons to put you on a liquid diet for a couple weeks preop. I admit to not following it at all. Infact I binged up until the night before surgery- yes I am sick lol. Anyway, you are right, the diet is to shrink the liver. They need to lift the liver to work on the stomach, if it's too big, they don't have enough room to work. It certainly won't hurt to put yourself on liquids for a week, make sure the shakes are high in protien. Good luck!

@Shella: I had a two week diet as well. Nothing but optifast shakes & the bars which I found horrible.

I'm another one who did not have a true pre-op diet. To each his own, as with post-op nutrition, dr. visits, etc. Everyone is different.

Enjoy the journey. If you follow the rules YOUR surgeon gives you, you should be just fine. They are rules, and they really must be followed in order to have success.

If your doc did not give you a per-op diet, don't stress. It is unlikely they will peek and run!

The liver being smaller also helps for less painful recovery because it isn't so much extra weight bearing down on your stomach. I don't think the doc would stop the surgery, but it may be beneficial for you to not suffer as much.