I know my dr requires the 2 wk liquid diet and I know the reason but wouldn't something like the Atkins or South Beach diet essentially do the same thing? I know tons of weight can be lost on low carb diets and wouldn't that do the same thing to shrink your liver or am I totally off? It seems cruel and unusual punishment to put us overweight folks on a totally liquid diet PRE surgery. LOL

I should add that I totally plan to follow my dr's orders but was just asking out of curiosity.

I think yes, but I am not 100% sure. Also, I feel a part of the pre-op is to get the patient ready for life with the sleeve. For the first few weeks food intake is verrrrrryyyy limited. Some people still have head hunger/real hunger and must resist. So I think it is important to get someone mentally ready.

and that's exactly what I did for my 2 week pre-op diet - Atkins inductive (if it's still called that).

I also think mesaucedo is correct

More praise to ya!! 2 weeks of only liquids........wow!! im in my re-op diet as well, although I'm on it for a month!! However its not a full liquid diet until 2 days prior to the surgery!! EXTEREMLY low carbs and plenty of protien, im managing well! good luck too you!!

signed,

demarcos

I totally understand them wanting to get your mind right but they have got to know and I'm assuming that will be a lot easier with a smaller stomach after surgery. Liquids & Protein shakes should take care of filling your post op stomach. Atleast you shouldn't have the REAL hunger pains that you'll have on the pre-op with a much larger stomach.

@Spatters3 - Did your doctor require a pre-op liquid diet or an Atkins type diet?

Shrinking the liver is just one of the things a liquid diet will accomplish. There are things you will gain from a liquid diet that a diet with solids, regardless of carb count, will not achieve. Such as:

• No solids or residues in the digestive tract. Any time a surgeon is going to be cutting into any part of your GI system, you really, really don't want any solid matter in there.
  
• It can have a benefit when dealing with post-op nausea - it's easier and generally more pleasant to expel liquids.
  
• It helps you get properly hydrated before a major surgical procedure.
  
• Better hydrated you are, the easier/quicker your recovery will be.
  
• Reduces liver size AND clears the colon.
  
• Body does not have to work hard to digest whatever is in the system.
  

HTH

BTW, this will be my 2nd WLS. Both times, I've been given a 2 day diet of clear, sugar free liquids.

This is what Dr. Aceves is having me do for my pre- op diet. I am doing Atkins phase 1.

Very good, thorough answer from Wheetsin. I was going to mention the clearing of the digestive tract as well. I did not have quite the detailed explanation though.

I have a bad habit of information overkill. I really do.

I have a bad habit of information overkill. I really do.

Nothing wrong with that!

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm gonna follow the doc's advice but this is gonna be haaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrddddddddddddd!!!!!!!!! LOL

My pre-op is !000 calories a day with the emphasis being on high protein low carb. What I am doing is having 2xprotein drinks and a small meal plus a snack of fruit. This runs for 2 weeks before surgery. My doctor also requires that I take milk thistle during this time and omerprazole. Also no alchohol.

The purpose of the 2 week liquid diet is to shrink the liver by not eating any fat.

The liver is smack dab in the way of the VSG surgery, and they have to have a little tray thing in there to lift it up and out of the way... if it's enlarged an fatty (most of ours are pre-vsg) it's easier to accidentally knick it, poke it, or tear it, which would case the doctor to have to switch to and OPEN surgery to repair the liver, then continue the vsg.

Open surgery means cracking all your ribs in half, and slicing you open from neck to waist. It means months longer recovery time, and a much higher risk of complications.

So now think about that, and ask yourself if two weeks liquid diet is really that bad.

I know my dr requires the 2 wk liquid diet and I know the reason but wouldn't something like the Atkins or South Beach diet essentially do the same thing? I know tons of weight can be lost on low carb diets and wouldn't that do the same thing to shrink your liver or am I totally off? It seems cruel and unusual punishment to put us overweight folks on a totally liquid diet PRE surgery. LOL

My doctor has me on the liquid diet for 2 wks pre-op to shrink the liver. I had my choice of whatever Protein drinks i wanted to use as ling as the numbers match up with dictor requirements. I picked atkins drinks. If you have solid foods during this time the liver is affected by that.