I need some feedback. I'm scheduled to be sleeved on 12/26. When I met with the nutritionist - she said .... "you won't have to do the full two weeks of liquid diet based on your current weight" (257 so not that skinny!). Then I got the email from the bariatric coordinator with the standard attachment for a two week liquid diet. I'm confused.

I have already started cutting down on what I eat and am currently down to 248 pounds. I think the whole purpose of the liquid diet is to shrink your liver. If I were to have a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and then eat a sensible dinner of grilled chicken and veggies .... as long as I lose weight before the surgery - I should be ok. Right?

I understand it's all about commitment and I'm there. Has anyone strayed from the liquid diet (in moderation) and been refused surgery?

My surgeon has me on a 1000 Calorie diet, Protein 60 grams/day Fluid 64 oz/day

Basically it's like 2 lean cuisine meals per day protein drinks and vitamins and lots of water. It's very tolerable to a full liquid diet

Same thing with me' date=' we got weighed the 1st time. And every appointment our weight is taken. I was told that the last weighing in is the day of surgery. The md will cancel surgery if i gain, This is kaiser permanente.[/quote']

Yep I'm at kaiser too, and get weighed every time I go in. At my first meeting with my surgeon I was given the amount I had to lose to qualify for surgery, along with their bariatric diet which is basically 3oz Protein, 1/2c cooked veggies, 1 small fruit, 1 serving carbs (1/3c rice for example) and 1 fat. There is an extra serving of fruit and an extra serving of carb added to either lunch or dinner. I've been following that for about 7 weeks and have lost about 35 lbs. my goal was only 13lbs, but since my recorded loss is more I can't gain any weight or they will cancel surgery even the day of my surgery. The first thing they do when I get to the hospital is weigh me. I am not required to do a prolonged prep though. Only 2 days. One day full liquid and one day clear liquid. I think that's better. I've been getting used to what my diet should be like after surgery already so I know I can handle it (after I'm back to regular foods of course). I too have had some slip ups. My family always has bad food around so ill take a bite of whatever. I'm also a baker/ cake decorator so that's been a big hurdle. I have to taste recipes when I try something new. I console myself with at least I'm not eating a huge piece anymore but even that one bite is something I worry about. And with the holidays here my kitchen is in full swing! Good luck on making it through the rest of your diet. I'm sure one lapse isn't going to kill you as long as you just move forward and leave those chips behind you.

Everyone is so different, my doctor didn't give me any weight requirements. I'm on a liquid diet for 3 days. I've been eating whatever I want and having a few food funerals. It depends on your surgeon I guess.

I was told that surgery would be cancelled if I didn't meet my weight loss point. I am trying the best way I can to get to 270lbs by January 8th. That's the day my surgery will be scheduled. Wish me luck! lol

I didn't have to do it all Praise God

Gail, I don't know of any places that have a weight loss requirement!

However

If during your weight management if you gain weight during that time your insurance can deny your surgery.

My Surgeon will not do surgery on anybody over 500 lbs risk is to high you must get below 500 to have surgery.

And the whole reason for the preop diet some are liquid some are low calorie. Is to reduce the size of your liver. Sometimes your Liver can be to large to do the surgery.

I'm at kaiser and they give you a weight loss goal. Many of the pre surgery appts can't even be made until you meet the goal. Also I believe not only are we held to our goal weight but after we lose that amount if we lose additional weight and its recorded in our chart, we are held accountable for that weight loss as well. If we show up for surgery and are over the weight limit the surgery is cancelled. I only had to lose 13lbs but have lost 34.6 lbs. I'm just trying to make it 2 more weeks , without gaining any weight.

To be honest, I think the weight loss goal pre

op is a bit of a joke. I understand losing 5-10 lbs week before to shrink the liver. That's important and not too hard to do one week prior. However I wish the insurance companies put more emphasis on the psych aspect of the surgery and behavior modification- as that is what most people really need. Of course there are special circumstances, but they don't make people who are getting knee replacements lose weight or prove they are going to exercise after surgery before allowing them treatment. Again, it's important to prepare and part if that is getting the liquids ready for post op and all that, but the stress of having to lose would have probably given me high blood pressure! I'd be interested to see some research on this.

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I was on a 2 week low carb diet which allowed me to shrink my liver. I really enjoyed the food on it and there was plenty of it so I didn't feel hungry at all. I still have the diet, if you would like me to send you it then send me your email address and I will get it to you ASAP. Merry Xmas eve XXxxx

According to my surgeon, the pre op diet has 2 goals. To reduce the size of your liver of course but also it's the only tangible way for them to evaluate your readiness to make lifestyle changes necessary for sustained results.

I don't mean to be a putz...but it comes naturally to me so I must say this...

If you can't handle two weeks...fourteen days....one millionth of your life on a two week program prior to having your stomach cut out..major surgery....don't do the surgery at all. You aren't ready.

Flame away, but really, if you can't take that you risk screwing up after surgery, which is life and death.

I don't mean to be a putz...but it comes naturally to me so I must say this...

If you can't handle two weeks...fourteen days....one millionth of your life on a two week program prior to having your stomach cut out..major surgery....don't do the surgery at all. You aren't ready.

Flame away' date=' but really, if you can't take that you risk screwing up after surgery, which is life and death.[/quote']

I agree. This is the last diet you will ever be on. You are planning on increasing you're life span by years, if not decades. The 2 week preop diet won't kill you. Going against your surgeons advise or staying fat, just might. Make your decision. Be proud of it and own it.

My dr said add skim milk or low fat milk to your shakes... I can have 4 shakes 2 cups of broth 2 sugar free jellos sugar free 2 popsicles thru out the day and all the Water I can drink!! I think every thing will be ok?

That is the same diet I've been on for 5 days.. It really wasn't that bad at all. Today I started my 48 hr clear liquid.. It was a lot tougher! It will all be worth it in the end!

The liver stores carbohydrates. That is why we have large livers, since most of us overdo the carbs. I may be wrong, but I think most patients who do not have to do the two week preop diet, may be starting out at lower BMIs. Can anyone confirm this?

The liver stores carbohydrates. That is why we have large livers' date=' since most of us overdo the carbs. I may be wrong, but I think most patients who do not have to do the two week preop diet, may be starting out at lower BMIs. Can anyone confirm this?[/quote']

No, I also had a two week program to follow, which was standard for my physician for any patient. I was low BMI. The only difference he has is a requirement of a much longer preop diet program for BMI's over 50.

The goal is to shrink the liver, which even a "skinny fat" person needs to do to have a higher success rate during surgery. But honestly, for most of us, getting off of the carbs is a secondary goal that has great benefits. My program was relatively easy....stay under 40 carbs, but it forced me to quit eating Cookies, crackers, bread, etc., which I now still have very little desire for after going through the withdrawals in those two weeks.