Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How well did you follow your pre-op diet??  

1 member has voted

  1. 1. How well did you follow your pre-op diet??

    • I did not have a pre-op diet.
      38
    • I followed it strictly, never cheated once.
      43
    • I cheated less than 5 times.
      31
    • I cheated more than 5 times.
      8
    • I could not follow the diet and cheated constantly.
      7


Recommended Posts

I would like to know the following about the pre-op diet. I am currently doing this diet, and I think it is a horrible. It is not heathy and teaches you the opposite of what you should be eating post op. Mine consist of a Protein Shake and Protein Bar three times daily. I am curious what everyones pre-op was and how compliant they were. IE Did you cheat?? Alot?? I am interested in this from a medical stand point as the hospital I work at is working on becoming a "Center for Excellence for Baratric patients" and I want to find out how to develop the best program that pt's and Dr's can live with so both have a high success rate. Thanks for all input and opinions, but PLEASE keep it friendly!! :kiss2: :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't have a pre-op diet so to speak but a rule that I am expected to lose 10 pounds and exercise 30 minutes a day for 30 days prior to surgery. I am currently exercising 50 minutes 5 days and have lost 11 pounds. I have considered going to no breads no sugar in the next week or so to better prepare for surgery but that is my own thinking, not a recommendation from the surgeonn.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

The pre-op diet is different for each person and each doctor. It depends on your weight, pre conditions, BMI, and the doctor's preference.

Dr. Ortiz's clinic gave me 3 options for a pre-op diet...all of which were designed to help patients lose 5 % of their weight before surgery. This is the one I chose:

Protein shake (for Breakfast and lunch) no more than 240 cals each

lean cuisine for dinner - no more than 350 cals

up to 4 lbs of greens (salad, yellow/red/orange peppers, cuke, mushrooms) per day and ultra low cal dressing.

I found the first 3 days hard as my stomach adjusted to the lower cals but after that it went well and I lost my 5% and lots of inches. I only had to follow it for 2 weeks but I did an extra 3 days (dieter's mentality...had to start on a Monday)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The pre op diets suggested/enforced by some surgeons are done to "shrink" your liver, in order to lessen the chance of nicking it during surgery.

Whilst its not the healthiest thing in the world, nutritionally speaking, it serves a purpose and short term, it won't hurt you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am on the same as Sunsreturn - Protein Shake (for Breakfast and lunch) no more than 240 cals each

lean cuisine for dinner - no more than 350 cals

with out the greens. I'll be honest and tell you that today is day 4 and its been HARD!!! I haven't cheated in the calorie area but I have added a ricecake in the evening for a snack. I don't want to do this but I do want the surgery so I'll do whatever it takes. And I know its for my best interest. I think everyone cheats to some degree - and I dont' think its a huge deal as long as we get right on track again. I have made my head ok with this by telling my self, promising myself that this will be the LAST diet of my life. Post band I plan on eating healthy first and letting the band help me get past the bad choices I've made in the past.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

just another note about the diet - I don't do it breakfast and lunch like they suggest because I'm not ready to eat until noonish - so I have my shake then, by 5 I'm starved and ready for my dinner which is never enough - I could eat 3 of them before I feel full. Then I drink my second shake in the evening when I get the snack fever - it helps me get past the attack. I make mine with frozen slimfast - half a can frozen, 1/4 cup skim milk and a handful of berries or half a banana and I feel like I've got a treat. I don't feel too guilty about the rice cake - its not many calories, and I like the crunch - and the other thing thats helped me in the snack department in sf Jello - the homemade kind - its like 10 cal. and I like it. Like I said the diet stinks but its my last diet and I know theres an end in sight where as all my previous diets I never could see an end.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Protein Shakes (as many as i want) sf Jello, sf pudding, broth here. Have not been perfect but the results are amazing, not as far as weight (13# is pretty great though) but the change in my head! When u are deprived from something you are addicted/crave (whatever u want to call it) u are forced to face the demons (in my case anyway) that I didnt even know I had. I know this will be successful now because I am beginning to understand why and how I got this way which never happined with any other diet/plan. I know now I have an emotional connection with food and a tenacy to binge eat therefor the band will be crucial for me while I face my demons. The bottom line is without the deprivation of food I would have never even realized any of this in fact I would have told anyone I didnt have any "emotional" isuues with food (duh) I was just fat because I really liked to eat and I probably would have started to process trying to eat around the band. Hopes this helps its just my persective.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was lucky as I didn't have a pre op diet. I guess my doctor believes that you are this way and you failed so many times. I heard that the benefit is to shrink the liver? but I'm not sure. Good luck with your diet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I start mine tuesday and it is basically

Bkfst - 1 oz. Protein and 1 slice bread

snack - powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shake

lunch - Protein and veggie

Snack - Unjury

dinner - protein and veggie

Snack - Unjury

between 600-800 calories a day. I'm kinda worried about it but at least some real food is involved and not all shakes which i was afraid of...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc did not put me on a pre-op diet. I only had to do Clear liquids the day before surgery. But, I wonder if some docs vary the pre-op requirements depending on the patient, because I ran into another of his patients who did have a pre-op diet. We were close to the same BMI, but she is apple-shaped, and I am pear-shaped. I figured that people who carry their weight through the middle might be more prone to having a fatty liver.

Tami

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon required me to do 7 days of Clear Liquids only. Yes, I was freakin' starving before I even had surgery. So for me it has been 2 1/2 weeks of only liquids. It's no wonder I sucked all the flavor off a dorito today. They said it was to shrink the liver to "avoid any injury" during surgery. Since I have heard so many other bandsters say they had no pre-op diet I think it is strictly a cya move on the surgeons part.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said that it all depends on your body type. If you have the "diabetic" build, which is most weight in the middle area, your liver is more likely to be fatty. I have met many women in the waiting room in my doc's office, and about half had to do the pre-op and half didn't. I, personally, didn't have to. Believe me, if my liver was in my butt area, I would've had to do a year of pre-op dieting!

I think I might've had an easier time adjusting to the diet post-op if I had been required to do the pre-op diet!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×