Hey all,

My doctor said I didn't have to do a 'pre-op' diet. So, I've just been pretty much eating what I want; nothing outrageous, not gorging myself either. But I just read on here how someone had to resort to 'open' surgery, b/c their liver was too heavy for the doctor to lift laproscopicaly!! So now, I'm in a panic, b/c I've totally ignored all the 'preop diet' posts; figureing they didn't apply to me. I have about 17 days until surgery on 1/30. I want to do something on my own, in terms of a pre op diet. Any suggestions? I mean, I was thinking of doing something like all soups, or protein shakes, plus one meal.

Ok...I'm totally in a panic you guys. I'm afraid my liver will be too fat (like the rest of me). Even if it's just for a week prior to surgery, I still have some time left, right?

I can not understand why some doctors require it while others dont??? I mean, he's the doc, he knows best...but just from reading here - he's definately not the norm. I think I'd feel better if I had a pre op diet assigned to me. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!:faint: :faint:

OK

If you have 17 days, you have plenty of time. My doc put me on a low carb/South Beach thing. I did liquids for 2-3 days before the surgery to empty my intestines.

I ate LOTS of veggies at night. I made some low-carb dip and kept my calories low at night. I was very strict on the low carb thing. Only lean meats and cheese. I ate SF popcicles for treats.

I got some Atkins shakes and drank those for breakfast, ate salad or lean meats for lunch and veggies and dip for dinner.

I lost 16 pounds in ten days, and while my liver was still pretty fatty, the doc was able to get around it to do my surgery.

Start now - go low carb. It will force your liver to burn fat.

Good Luck!!

My pre-op diet consisted of sugar free clear liquids for the two days prior to surgery.

Mine was only 7 days prior, protien shake for breakfast and Lean Cuisine ( I preferred South Beach meals, less carbs and the carbs where making me more hungry) for lunch and dinner.

Audree

My doctors require 14 days of low fat liquid diet before surgery and they like to see 10 pds off (& at minimum no weight gain). All this is due to fatty liver dangers. Surgery is 1/31/07 so I have to start all liquids on Wednesday. :hungry: I started this week during a liquid fast all day with a meal at night and not only do I feel better but the mystery pain in right side has gone. Since I don't have gallbladder I bet it was my liver hurting this past few months...hmmmm...

My pre-op was a little more extreme than others. 4 weeks of Optifast! A nice side effect of that is that I've already lost 15lbs and my appetite. LOL!

You are definitely still far enough out to do something, so don't worry

I'm another one who had no pre-op diet whatsoever--I was just told not to "go crazy."

As for why some docs have it and some don't, it may also be personalized for each person. Blood work is looked at prior to scheduling surgery and I'd imagine they get some information about each person's physiology in that way. This is just a guess, but if someone's lipid levels are very high going in, that maybe could indicate a need for such a pre-op regimen? Whatever the case, as we say all the time, we have to do our best to follow our own doctor's instructions.

Alexandra,

You and I have the same surgeon.

I was not told 'don't go crazy'...which I haven't, but i also went through the holidays with the 'last supper' mentality, making sure I ate what i wanted. Of course I stayed away from the sweets; the diabetes made sure of that.

I'm going to get onto a low carb diet pre-op. I have my preop class this Wedensday and see what they suggest I do for the few days prior to surgery.

You should be fine. You still have plenty of time as long as you get started soon. I have to do optifast from the 22nd until my surgery in Feb. and my nurse said I can eat whatever I want up until then.

I didn't have a preop diet and my doctor had no issues. Maybe you'll be the same?