I'm in the "research phase" trying to get all the info I can. So.....why the 14 day liquid diet before surgery. How does it benefit surgery?

Shrinks the liver and gives the surgeon more room is what mine told me.

It is thought that a mostly protein, low calorie diet (800-1000 cal/ day) depletes glycogen stores in the liver, shrinking it, and making the stomach more accessible to the surgeon. I don't know if my liver is shrinking, but my body definitely is.

I went to my 101 class last night and they explained that the 14 day diet is so that your "fatty" liver shrinks and can easily be moved for surgery. They don't like to put stress on the liver because it is so important to body functions and blood filtering. I guess it makes sense. Good luck with your decision. I've got 2 months left of the 6 month doctor guided diet per my insurance then hopefully surgery in January! Woo Hoo!

That's what the propaganda says. But I have lost 63 lbs. in the past year ... more than 20 in the last month. I actually completed one pre-op diet but had a row with my surgeon. Now I'm on my second pre-op, and get the same reasons. Well, folks, I've already lost the weight and "shrunk my liver." So the only reason is to lose more weight before the surgery with irrational scare tactics ... not because it's necessary, but because they can force me, scare me, or deny me surgery if I don't lose a prescribed amount this time around. I would much rather drop the weight when I'm not hungry after surgery. But they are the boss of me.

That's what the propaganda says. But I have lost 63 lbs. in the past year ... more than 20 in the last month. I actually completed one pre-op diet but had a row with my surgeon. Now I'm on my second pre-op, and get the same reasons. Well, folks, I've already lost the weight and "shrunk my liver." So the only reason is to lose more weight before the surgery with irrational scare tactics ... not because it's necessary, but because they can force me, scare me, or deny me surgery if I don't lose a prescribed amount this time around. I would much rather drop the weight when I'm not hungry after surgery. But they are the boss of me.

hehehe, generally plans are set by the surgeon and you'll find that some plans have shorter pre-op "fasts", and some none. BUT, the general reason is to shrink the liver, even if the liver's already been shrunk.

Might as well. You might still want to eat after surgery anyway...

The pre-op diet for my program is not solely liquid. It is 3 protein shakes per day, 2 small meals, 1 fruit, and 1 yogurt. My surgeon is less concerned about the pre-op diet for me, apparently because my BMI is relatively low. (In the obese realm of low.)

That's what the propaganda says. But I have lost 63 lbs. in the past year ... more than 20 in the last month. I actually completed one pre-op diet but had a row with my surgeon. Now I'm on my second pre-op, and get the same reasons. Well, folks, I've already lost the weight and "shrunk my liver." So the only reason is to lose more weight before the surgery with irrational scare tactics ... not because it's necessary, but because they can force me, scare me, or deny me surgery if I don't lose a prescribed amount this time around. I would much rather drop the weight when I'm not hungry after surgery. But they are the boss of me.

There was a time not so long ago that during the sleeve surgery a lacky ( intern ) would have to hold the liver up so that the surgeon could get to the stomach. Now they have a clamp that holds the liver up and out of the way for surgery....If the liver is too fatty it can slip out of the clamp. Then there is a risk of cutting into the liver which is much more of an ordeal then just working on the sleeve.....Medical progress sometimes means we have to make the change for the better of ourselves...

Thank you everyone!