Been Bad On Pre-Op Diet!

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Hi all,

Looking for a little advice. I have NOT been 100% on my pre-op diet.. I feel as though I have failed at it & I'm having surgery in 2-3 days time.. Should I tell my surgeon and have it postponed or have other people on here been in the same situation as I am in currently? I feel terrible

[Arts137 1,811]

OK details please. Assuming that you are on a fairly strict two-weeker, what and how often were "you bad". This is NOT to beat you up but to assess and advise.

This is hard. NO DOUBT, and please DO think. It sure is hard now, and after surgery it will STILL be harder still.

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For instance, for most of the 2 weeks on Optifast I would have the shake & a bar for Breakfast & lunch & then after work get home And eat pretty much anything.. bread, eggs, sometimes take-away. I'm sitting here wondering if I have no self control now am I wasting my time having this surgery done or will it help someone like me?

[crodrigu73 13]

I believe there is another thread here in which people were discussing that the pre op diet maybe done away with as a requirement, that it truly has no benefit, but I would discuss it with my doctor. He is the one cutting he deserves to know what he may run into. Also you should consider why you did not stick to the diet, are you having doubt. This is not something to go into unless you are positive. I will admit so far on my pre diet I have cheated a little here and there. A bite of this or a bite of that which I had discussed with the bariatric nurse. She said that was fine, I am down 26 pounds in two weeks so she was not concerned with a couple bites not on the diet. I wish you all the best luck.

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

One hidden benefit of following the pre-op diet is that it makes it much easier to follow the post-op diet. You can really do anything for 2 weeks. I can't really speak intelligently about the medical effects of cheating on a pre-op diet. But despite what some posters have said, cheating post-op can damage your sleeve. It's one of those things…we are making a huge change here and taking on this surgery, so why do anything (preventable) that could make it all go south?

You are stronger than you know.

[RJ'S/beginning 5,358]

I believe there is another thread here in which people were discussing that the pre op diet maybe done away with as a requirement, that it truly has no benefit, but I would discuss it with my doctor. He is the one cutting he deserves to know what he may run into. Also you should consider why you did not stick to the diet, are you having doubt. This is not something to go into unless you are positive. I will admit so far on my pre diet I have cheated a little here and there. A bite of this or a bite of that which I had discussed with the bariatric nurse. She said that was fine, I am down 26 pounds in two weeks so she was not concerned with a couple bites not on the diet. I wish you all the best luck.

The pre-op diet does have a benefit..It shrinks your liver which makes it much easier for your surgeon to do the WLS...A clamp holds your stomach up and out of the way so that the surgeon can work on the stomach. If the stomach slips then it would be a disaster..There was a time when a person help it up but today there is a small clamp and it is placed in there...That is one of the main reasons why the liver is shrunk....The shakes also detoxe your body to make it a bit easier for you to go into post op.

Some doctors don't require anything before surgery others do. If your surgeon requires it then it probably would be a good idea to tell him/her what has happened....they will not cancel for long....

This is one of the most difficult things that you will ever do....But sooooooooo worth it I promise you!!!!!

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Okay, don't take my remarks as being mean, take them as tough love. You are making a lifelong change to your body. But this surgery isn't going to be your magic cure. YOU have to be your cure, especially once you get past the first few months. I am almost 6 months post-op from surgery and my restriction has decreased a lot and my hunger has, alas, increased tremendously. It's very rare you'll find patients who lose hunger and cravings forever. I never threw up once, despite the couple of times I truly overate. Bad habits, like eating a lot of carbs, slider snacking, or take out, can come back swiftly if you let them, and derail your weight loss or maintenance. At this point I am, for the most part, running on my own steam and my own self-control.

So now that some light has been shed on how difficult the road will be post-surgery (by myself and other posters) you should ask yourself, are you ready to make real change in your life? The biggest test of your preparedness is the pre-op diet. If you fail at it, you are actually failing yourself. You cannot count on your sleeve to change who you are mentally or your habits. It's stomach surgery, not brain surgery. Only you can decide here and now that you will NOT continue down the path of obesity, that you are going to take a stand and make a real commitment. Do I think non-compliance will cause harm if you go ahead with the surgery as planned? Probably not, but that's up to your surgeon who you must consult with. Medically speaking, the pre-op diet benefits patients who have a fatty or enlarged liver by possibly shrinking it a bit or changing the composition. But mostly it's to help you get your head in the game and prepare you for a different way of eating and living. If I, a certifiable food addict can do it, so can you. Your health, well being, and happiness are worth it.

[Arts137 1,811]

Brooklyn Gal has given you great advice. Period.

Love, but tough love. The sleeve will not be your solution unless you are willing to make big and basic changes. Not easy. Not easy at all... but not impossible either.

Keep posting and tell us how you are doing.

[NYVSGguy 22]

My surgeon only required a liquid diet the day before my surgery and nothing after midnight. I had no issues being sleeved.

[Branmuffin 190]

Hi all, Looking for a little advice. I have NOT been 100% on my pre-op diet.. I feel as though I have failed at it & I'm having surgery in 2-3 days time.. Should I tell my surgeon and have it postponed or have other people on here been in the same situation as I am in currently? I feel terrible

Definitely tell your surgeon. Mine told me that he has actually started surgery on a patient (several times) and closed the person back up and didn't do surgery because of their big liver. It's not only dangerous for you because a larger liver tends to crack and bleed but also dangerous for your surgeon because your not following the diet and him doing surgery anyway could lead to health issues for you and a malpractice suit against him. It's just not worth the risk.