Hey y'all. I've been poking around and notice most people have to go on some type of pre-op diet and I see the reasons why they do this. Any ideas as to why my Dr. isn't requiring it. She says there's no proof that it's necessary. Is that true? Also, I'm not going to go through a mushy stage. 7 days post-op, I start up with real food - just dime size bites that I have to chew a LOT. I'm a little freaked about that. She's certainly no quack. Bariatric Center of Excellence - she's done over 4,000 surgeries or something like that. So I'm sure I'm good. Just curious if anyone knows a little more about it.

Hey y'all. I've been poking around and notice most people have to go on some type of pre-op diet and I see the reasons why they do this. Any ideas as to why my Dr. isn't requiring it. She says there's no proof that it's necessary. Is that true? Also, I'm not going to go through a mushy stage. 7 days post-op, I start up with real food - just dime size bites that I have to chew a LOT. I'm a little freaked about that. She's certainly no quack. Bariatric Center of Excellence - she's done over 4,000 surgeries or something like that. So I'm sure I'm good. Just curious if anyone knows a little more about it.

I've noticed surgeons vary wildly in both their pre and post op diets. Sounds like you have an experienced doc. Just follow your surgeon's instructions carefully and I'm sure you'll be fine.

My doc explained that the immediate pre-op diet wasn't about losing weight, it was about shrinking the liver so it was easier for them to see when doing the surgery laparoscopically. The rest of the weight loss is just a bonus.

Just like the previous response said, preop and postop diets vary widely. I would definitely follow your particular surgeons advise. Good luck with the surgery!

Pre-op diets exist to simply shrink or reduce the amount of slimy fat that is on obese patient's livers. However, my pre-op diet simply required low carb/high Protein and my liver was stellar.

I wouldn't move to real food that soon considering there is a healing staple line on the inside of my stomach, but if this is her experience, her program I guess that's what you'd follow. I wasn't even allowed real food with my band for 3 weeks post-op so I know myself well enough to know that I wouldn't be putting solid foods in my body that early. I've read way too many times on here and obesityehlp that people struggle with mushies too early out, then they get frustrated, and can't eat. But, if you're taking dime-sized bites, and chewing it to mush, it's still mush, you might not be able to eat much that soon.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I'm sort of thinking like Tiffykins. How is that possible? I guess only time will tell.

Pre-op diets exist to simply shrink or reduce the amount of slimy fat that is on obese patient's livers. However, my pre-op diet simply required low carb/high Protein and my liver was stellar.

I wouldn't move to real food that soon considering there is a healing staple line on the inside of my stomach, but if this is her experience, her program I guess that's what you'd follow. I wasn't even allowed real food with my band for 3 weeks post-op so I know myself well enough to know that I wouldn't be putting solid foods in my body that early. I've read way too many times on here and obesityehlp that people struggle with mushies too early out, then they get frustrated, and can't eat. But, if you're taking dime-sized bites, and chewing it to mush, it's still mush, you might not be able to eat much that soon.

My doctor also did not require any real pre-op diet other than healthy, normal calorie range eating. He only requires a liquid diet for patients with a BMI higher than 45. And, after surgery I was on full liquids the first two weeks and then went straight into hamburger, eggs, tuna, etc. I have been reading about others experiences and would often wonder if I "got off too easy" or was doing it wrong, but everyone here has also been adamant that each person follow their own doctor's orders so that's what I've done!

That being said, I've had no complications and am doing really well with weight loss. I was really surprised about not having a liquid diet especially since I have dealt with fatty liver issues in the past, but the surgeon said that surgery went textbook perfect. He even remarked that he'd wished he'd filmed it for teaching purposes. I am a very "By the book", rule follower kind of gal so this more relaxed approach to what I thought were the "rules" kind of made me nervous when I started reading different peoples' post on here, but again it's working and I am doing great so who am to argue with the guy who has done this thousands of time?