First post-op appt and interesting view

[ladykatie_ 117]

I went to see my doctor today. He said my incisions have healed great and addressed all my concerns (constant diarrhea, belly pain, Protein intake, etc.) and I was relieved to hear I'm not having any abnormal issues. Yay!

I was curious about something so I decided to ask. Whenever I read about people in the pre-op stage for their surgery, they usually have to go on a diet for a few weeks before surgery. I've also heard of that before when I was first looking into the surgery. I did not have to do this before my surgery. So I asked the doc and he said that recent studies have found that it doesn't make a difference in many cases. He also said that some studies found that patients were malnourished prior to surgery because of the diet. He continued explaining to me why a lot of doctors still required their patients to do this.

I was pretty surprised. I said it seemed like such a common practice. He responded that he is constantly keeping up with bariatric practices, reads several medical journals, attends classes, etc. and it was his belief to not have people diet before surgery.

Does anyone feel that their pre-op diet (if you had one) helped with the surgery? Did it you feel it would make a difference?

I'm just curious is all. The point is moot now that I've had the surgery. Interesting to see what people think.

[bravobentley 55]

Im on day 4 of a liquid diet and its hard I have 8 more days to go I hope it's helpful my surgeon just like for the liver to be shrunken so it's easier to work with but I have read a lot of people don't do a preop diet LUCKY DUCKIES but I also know it's preparing me for life after surgery and detoxing my body of a lot of impurities

[ladykatie_ 117]

Im on day 4 of a liquid diet and its hard I have 8 more days to go I hope it's helpful my surgeon just like for the liver to be shrunken so it's easier to work with but I have read a lot of people don't do a preop diet LUCKY DUCKIES but I also know it's preparing me for life after surgery and detoxing my body of a lot of impurities

Yes, I've heard it called the liver shrinking diet as well. A difference might also be that my doctor puts the pouch and small intestine BEHIND the stomach instead of in front of it. He said he's hardly even near the liver. I guess he assumed that all my organs were normal and good to go. LOL

[revision in TX 38]

I was "asked" to follow a moderate diet...low carb, mainly...2 weeks prior to surgery. No pressure from the surgeon. His explanation was two-fold...the fatty liver (shrinking) and to "adjust" to portion control/reduced sugar. I personally think, from a medical standpoint, that there is little difference whether you do it or not. From a psychological/behavioral standpoint, I think it is a good "transition" idea.

I had a lap band prior to bypass; I did NOT do a diet prior to that surgery. I would have been able to go back to work after the weekend, but my blood sugars were up-and-down and I felt like an addict coming off some kind of drug!!! I was sweaty, weak, pale, nauseated...the whole nine yards.

So, for that procedure, it would've probably helped if I had dieted ahead of time.

I did it both ways and I don't see a significant HEALTH reason, but not having to go "cold turkey" off sugar/carbs/junk would've probably been a good idea.

I'll also be curious to hear what others post!!!

[ladykatie_ 117]

@@revision in TX - Your post makes A LOT of sense. Some people do have to follow a diet but still have a "last hurrah" of sorts. I saw that on another thread that I can't remember the topic of. In my case, I went cold turkey. I don't have cravings for anything in particular. Just solid food in general. I wish I could just eat a chicken salad, ya know? Haha.

I'm interested to see what others have to say about it.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

My doctor said he doesn't put people under BMI of 40 on a preop diet for the reason your doctor said about it making patients weaker and possibly malnourished before surgery. For larger patients he said he might require some preop but not for a long period of time -- just to help shrink the liver some.

It's interesting how many different varieties of plans doctors have. You would think there was one "master plan" that they all adhered to or something.

Regardless, glad I don't have to follow anything other than Clear liquids the day before surgery. I'm no good at dieting (not a yo-yo dieter, just a can't stick with it dieter). That's why I'm having surgery in the first place -- no good at dieting!

[mwestcons 9]

Well, I was told to go on the preoperative diet (3 Protein shakes and a small meal) which I did for the proscribed 2 weeks before surgery. I lost about 7 lbs pre-operatively, and in my case my VSG only required 4 incisions (they call them "stabs" at the hospital - isn't that awful?) as opposed to 5 which is what they need if they need an incision to resect your liver. I don't know if the diet was responsible or not, but I can tell you that 4 holes in your belly is way better than 5!!!

[Crosby 303]

My doctor said he doesn't put people under BMI of 40 on a preop diet for the reason your doctor said about it making patients weaker and possibly malnourished before surgery. For larger patients he said he might require some preop but not for a long period of time -- just to help shrink the liver some.

It's interesting how many different varieties of plans doctors have. You would think there was one "master plan" that they all adhered to or something.

Regardless, glad I don't have to follow anything other than Clear Liquids the day before surgery. I'm no good at dieting (not a yo-yo dieter, just a can't stick with it dieter). That's why I'm having surgery in the first place -- no good at dieting!

My surgeon is the same. I was surprised that it is similar to my other surgeries with just one day prep. I plan to cut out all sugar and caffeine one month before so I don't have to deal with withdrawal from those two.

[carrion98 3]

I stopped taking in high calorie and sugar foods months prior so I wouldn't go thru withdrawal. I was on a low carb diet 2 weeks prior and liquids 2 days prior to surgery. It helped with cravings etc. I do have 5 stabs and an area where I had 2 JP drains it is interesting to read how everyone else is doing and materials given. I have done research also on what Duke gives to there patients. I think it medical training and personal preference.

[ferguson23024 30]

I am on day 6 of a two week Protein diet. It is certainly difficult. Not only does it prepare your liver by shrinking it but it also prepares you mentally for the challenges you will face. I did not realize how difficult it would be to be around other people eating while you are sipping protein supplements. For those people who think we are " taking the easy way out" to lose weight, they should walk in our shoes for a day.

[hermione394 5]

I had to do a 2 week liquid diet. And to be perfectly plain, I'm glad I did. The 2 weeks got me accustomed to what my life would be like post-op. I got the chance to combat my head hunger a bit, as well as find a Protein shake I could get down. I'm still using the same shake post-op.

Everyone is different, but I really think it set me up for success.