Hi guys,

I am a little ignorant when it comes to this pre-op dieting. I understand that it is to help you lose a little pre surgery, and also to show your true dedication.

Is there anything I missed? And what if you don't do it? Or do it for shorter than planned? I am sure this is posted elsewhere, and if so, please redirect and link me!

Thank you

The main point of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver as much as possible. During surgery, a large fatty liver can get in the way of the stomach and make the surgery more difficult. The pre-op diet is not necessarily to lose weight, though that tends to be a side effect, but simply to get that liver nice and dinky so surgery is easier to perform.

I don't think it's a good idea to skip it or shorten it. Just stick with what your surgeon tells you.

If it helps you any, my surgeon at my pre op class stated that a patient stated the did the diet, he went in and closed her right back up. The patient admitted they did not diet at all. The liver was too big for him to work around. Also that someone that follows (mine is 10 day pre op diet) usually loses 8-18# so that's well worth it too. Hope that helps!

Hi guys,

I am a little ignorant when it comes to this pre-op dieting. I understand that it is to help you lose a little pre surgery, and also to show your true dedication.

Is there anything I missed? And what if you don't do it? Or do it for shorter than planned? I am sure this is posted elsewhere, and if so, please redirect and link me!

Thank you

Why wouldn't you do it? Why would you shorten it?

Why wouldn't you do it? Why would you shorten it?

At the time, I clearly stated I was ignorant when it came to pre-op surgery weight loss, hence why I asked the questions.

At the time, I clearly stated I was ignorant when it came to pre-op surgery weight loss, hence why I asked the questions.

I understand why you are asking, I am simply asking what logic there would be behind not doing as you are directed before undergoing major surgery. Looks like yours is right around the corner. Has your NUT/surgeon not given you directions yet?

Edit to add:

It scares me for you that you are still smoking, too. Most doctors ask that you quit for at least 30 days pre-op.

http://www.facs.org/patienteducation/quitsmoking.html

The logic behind it was this:

I did not understand the "why" aspect, other than losing the weight/showing dedication. That also didn't mean that I was just not going to do it. I just wanted to understand.

Update: I am not still smoking. I have quit that and have been working out, getting enough sleep and eating what I am allowed to have on my pre-op diet. My doctor has given me plenty of direction.

Thanks for your concern.

-Mariah

The logic behind it was this:

I did not understand the "why" aspect, other than losing the weight/showing dedication. That also didn't mean that I was just not going to do it. I just wanted to understand.

Update: I am not still smoking. I have quit that and have been working out, getting enough sleep and eating what I am allowed to have on my pre-op diet. My doctor has given me plenty of direction.

Thanks for your concern.

-Mariah

On the smoking. That's awesome. I saw that as of four days ago you were still struggling with it so I was worried for you. Quitting is a tough battle, I know, and it's so hard giving up everything at once. Hold on strong! You are making great changes.

On the diet. I apologize for MY misunderstanding of your question. I didn't get that you were asking why a preop diet exists. We do the diet to shrink our liver, making the surgeon's work easier. Some surgeons require it, some do not. I started mine early because I was anxious to get on the losing side and I wanted to be sure I wasn't turned away during surgery as I've heard my surgeon will do if you don't follow his directions (on both diet and smoking).

Best of luck to you! I'm sure you will be a great success.