After reading on here about experiences with a pre-op diet, I realized there was no mention of it in the extensive printed material my doctor gave me, so I asked the office nurse. She said my surgeon does order a two week pre-op diet for some people, but I wouldn't be one of them. I guess I'm relieved to hear that I don't have to do that, but I'm wondering what criteria the doctor would use to decide that? What's the purpose of it? I know I should have asked the nurse while I was talking to her, but typically, all the questions occur to me as soon as I hang up!

Hi Rose, the varied protocols for pre-op and immediate post-op are so confusing. Who knows that the reasoning is? Personally, the pre-op diet for me was not that hard as I am a "restricter" and felt like I was doing something to get ready. But it can be a difficult time with a lot of emotional issues coming up. The purpose of the pre-op is to reduce the fat around your liver to make it easier to get the band placed properly.

I was glad I upped my exercise prior to surgery so if you're feeling like you can prepare then that is a great way to do it. A few more steps each day! This could help with the mental leap, too, letting yourself know that you are investing in your body and your life in a new way.

Good luck to you!

I didn't have a pre-op diet either. I was told to have Breakfast the day before and then shakes or liquids the rest of the day. I had surgery about 9 am the following morning.

My BMI was around 36-37 which may have been a factor. I would assume doctors make the call based on what BMI is and what our food vices might be?

The goal is to reduce the weight and size of the liver. I'm thinking that high BMI patients who may have food issues with carbs or soda pop might factor into the decision. Activity may play into the decision too? Someone who is sedentary with poor muscle development may also factor into it?

Finally, familiarity with the surgery could also be one of the reasons.

Those sound like plausible reasons but I have a high BMI, about 50 and I'm completely sedentary. I spend a lot of time in a wheelchair due to arthritis and a damaged leg, so I don't exercise at all. My eating habits might be a little more healthy than some patients, however. Even before I started on my restricted calorie diet to meet insurance requirements, I always ate predominately fresh fruits and vegetables and very rarely ate fast food. My problem is eating big portions and adding on sweets after dinner, I rarely drink soda pop. I just had a battery of blood tests and my cholesterol is 168, and I'm not diabetic I don't know if my surgeon thought that had anything to do with it.

My surgeon's office listed these reasons in the paperwork they gave me for my pre-op diet:

- It reduces liver size and intra-abdominal fat

- Improves visual field for surgery

- Reduces co-morbidities

- Increases patient understanding of post-op requirements

- Reduces operating time

- Reduces post-operative risks

Basically, it shrinks your lives, makes for less complications during surgery, and gets you ready for the new way of eating after surgery lol I don't know why some people don't have to do it though. Maybe some surgeons just don't see the need if the patient has already been on a steady diet before surgery (a lot of people have to be for insurance). Anyways, best of luck to you