So how does this help more than just a restricted calorie diet? Wont the weight loss regardless shrink your liver? Or is it something about liquids only?

It's because of the placement of your liver next to your stomach. During surgery, your liver needs to be manipulated and the more fatty the liver, the more fragile. By shrinking the liver prior to surgery, it minimizes the possability of damaging it.

So how does this help more than just a restricted calorie diet? Wont the weight loss regardless shrink your liver? Or is it something about liquids only?

Liver can be fatty and covers your stomach. I only was on prep op diet for 3 days and I lost 7 lbs. they told me today that the higher the BMI, the more important it is to do the pre op diet for a longer period of time.

Right but my question is - how does liquid diet help more than a calorie restricted diet (1000 cals or less)?

Right but my question is - how does liquid diet help more than a calorie restricted diet (1000 cals or less)?

You will feel a lot hungrier on the pre op diet. There's no milk or Protein.

Right but my question is - how does liquid diet help more than a calorie restricted diet (1000 cals or less)?

Honestly I think it's more of surgeon preference since I've seen many people who are on calorie restricted vs. liquid. There was certainly very little nutritional value in my liquid diet so I know it's not for that purpose.

Yeah that's my problem. I'm getting ready to start it but I feel like I'm gonna pass out by the end of the day so I've had a chicken breast sandwich from subway at the end of the day the last two days which puts my calorie intake to less than 1000 - Does it have to be LIQUID for any certain reason? That's my question - if i only take in 1000 cals a day i'll drop weight fast too... that's my question though.. any reason it has to be liquid over restricted calories.

This link gives a good explanation

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/61166-how-to-shrink-your-liver-and-increase-st-weight-loss-%26-8211%3B-the-low-carb-pre-op-diet/

My doctor didn't want it to be liquid only unless you were over 300lbs. My pre-op was a combo of light eating (egg, yogurt, lean meat, veggies) and protein shakes. 2 shakes, 2 light meals. I lost 16lbs in 2 weeks and my doc said everything looked great during surgery.

My surgeon has me on a calorie restricted diet of a shake at breakfast, shake at lunch with a lean slice of lunch meat and whole grain braid, 3 oz of chicken/pork/white fish with 1/2 c brown rice and 1/2 green veggie at dinner. The last day before surgery is all clear liquids. I just read about a clear liquid with protein in it that might help Cytomax Pure Protein Performance. It has 40g of protein in 20 oz. I think the weight loss is the most important thing and I don't know why some surgeons do all liquid. I would call you surgeon and ask if you can switch and tell them why.

The research I did proves your theory. If you lose the weight thats ultimately what shrinks your liver the liquids are merely to help with the transition for after the surgery. I ate maybe 4-6 low calorie meals in my 12 day liquid diet stage. I lost plenty to shrink my liver and still got the jist for after surgery and I was just fine... My two cents. Good luck, when is your surgery date?

Tentatively set for 12/31 - im waiting on insurance approval. Id hate to do all liquids for two weeks only to have insurace still not have reached a decision ya know?

Ya I completely agree and it totally sucks too because you're are so dang hungry but I was in the same boat I was self pay and hasn't got the final approval but had a date so I had to start it the same way but ya it's not gonna hurt to eat if ur still losing =)

my surgeon and I have heard many others do to, make you sign a release that if they can't do surgery lapo then they will do it the old fashion way and open you up. It does suck, but in the whole scheme of things it's only 2 weeks prior and 1 week after. Hang in there...Good Luck

I was too on a "full liquid" diet.. which you could have cream soups.. ice cream (sugar free) and jello and pudding.. things like that.. but ive not lost much weight on that.. and my doc only required me to be on that a week before surgery and the day before clear liquids then NPO after midnight. so I was frustrated at the fact I didnt lose any weight and the fact that I ate a whole lot less.. so disappointed there.

Yeah that's my problem. I'm getting ready to start it but I feel like I'm gonna pass out by the end of the day so I've had a chicken breast sandwich from subway at the end of the day the last two days which puts my calorie intake to less than 1000 - Does it have to be LIQUID for any certain reason? That's my question - if i only take in 1000 cals a day i'll drop weight fast too... that's my question though.. any reason it has to be liquid over restricted calories.

the whole point of the liquid diet is to eliminate carbs and fat from your diet to shrink your liver so they can safely retract it during surgery. It eliminates your glycogen stores and the fat in you liver is is decreased which shrinks your liver. If you eat food, you are adding back to your glycogen stores. I am not trying to scare you but the doctor i work for has a patient that went into surgery and the bariatric surgeon stopped the surgery because her liver was too big. My surgeon said that i would be able to have 1/4 plain natural almonds once a day and non-starchy vegetables between meals (shakes)bif you are struggling with hunger.....best of luck.