I know its to make the liver less fatty, but do they do an xray or sonogram of the liver prior to telling you to go on a liquid diet? I have seen some that didn't go on a liquid diet, and some that have only gone on a liquid diet for a week, however the average I have seen is two weeks. Thanks.

I attended a post surgery seminar this weekend in Chicago and learned some things that I did not know before. The reason that they put you on the liquid diet before the surgery is to get your live to shrink in size. When eating regular foods your liver enlarges. When having the WLS the doctor wants you liver to be as small as possible so that it is out of the way when they are doing your procedure. There have been surgeries cancelled because of the liver being too large and unsafe to proceed. So it is important to stick with the liquid diet for the 2 weeks as close as you can.

I know all of the above. What I want to know is why some doctors want some to do it for one or two weeks, why some aren't told too, and if the liver is xrayed prior to.

I had no xrays prior to either my lapband or my sleeve and had to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks for both surgeries with 2 different doctors.

I was just sleeved a week ago. My surgeon did not require a 2 week liquid diet. I had my pre surgery consult with him a week prior and he asked that I cut back on my intake for the remaining days before surgery. I was still allowed to eat regular food. Honestly, I ate what I wanted up until the few days before he told me that. Then I avoided really fattening foods and was 5 lbs lighter the day of surgery. They didn't do any type of test on the liver before. I had no complications; he called my surgery "very boring". LOL! I told him that's how I'd like it to be!

Edited January 17, 201214 yr by Curvy Diva

Boring is definitely good! I've been adding meal replacement to get me prepared, just in case.

It may depend on how they do the surgery. My sister had laproscopic surgery but there were five incision points I believe.And she was able to eat up until midnight the night before. When I get my surgery it will be through one opening in my belly button and I am required to do a two week liquid diet prior to surgery. Being able to get to the stomach portion being removed and being able to move the liver easily might come into play on this one.

I know all of the above. What I want to know is why some doctors want some to do it for one or two weeks, why some aren't told too, and if the liver is xrayed prior to.

That is a good question to ask your surgeon. Why does he require (or not) and what are his feelings on why other surgeons require them (or not).

It may depend on how they do the surgery. My sister had laproscopic surgery but there were five incision points I believe.And she was able to eat up until midnight the night before. When I get my surgery it will be through one opening in my belly button and I am required to do a two week liquid diet prior to surgery. Being able to get to the stomach portion being removed and being able to move the liver easily might come into play on this one.

Very true. My surgery was laprascopic. I failed to mention that I had to do a clear liquid diet the day before surgery and drink a bottle of Magnesium Citrate. The Citrate was no fun....

Voodoo, does your surgery have to be an open incision?

Ask your surgeon, but my understanding was how much overweight you were depends on how long the liquid diet was pre-surgery. I was more than 100 pounds over weight and had to do 2 weeks liquid prior to surgery. I had the 5 incision laporsopic(can't spell)

I did not have to do a liquid diet before surgery. I had to do 100% vegetarian, very low fat, and low calorie. So no birthday dinner at the Brazilian steakhouse.

Of course I could not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.

I was at 40 BMI and I have the five incisions (that are mostly gone already, thankfully).

Well it seems that its doctor based going based on the responses. Oh well. We shall see.

Not to get ahead of myself, but I would love to only do a vegeterian diet, since I am one already. That would be soooo awesome. One can dream right?

Just a thought..............If you can not commit to a 2 week liquid diet for your health and safety during surgery.................how are you ever going to make the change needed after you have the surgery?......just a thought

Not to get ahead of myself, but I would love to only do a vegeterian diet, since I am one already. That would be soooo awesome. One can dream right?

Talk to your surgeon about it.

No Xray prior to surgery, but was on a calorie restriction for about 2 -3 weeks prior, then liquid for 4 days prior. I have heard it does reduce the liver size and was told surgery has been rescheduled for other people if it was found to be too large.