Don't get me wrong- I'm SUPER glad I only have a one-day pre-op diet but just curious why there is such a variance. Are there others that only have to do liquids for one day before surgery??

I was told the 7 days of liquids was to reduce the size of the liver to help keep it out of the way and reduce any possible injury to it.

I had to do two full weeks. One day seems odd. I know they say that it is not about weight loss, but more about clearing your system, and shrinking your liver to make sure it is not fatty enough to NOT do surgery.

If your liver gets in the way, there is a potential to be opened up and surgery not performed.

You must be in better physical health than most that they don't worry about that possiblity.

I lost 24 lbs in those two weeks, and I have to additional holes (trocars) that were placed in me to move my liver or of the way, as it was just on that brink.

+two

IDK. That's just what he does, and he's a very strict surgeon. He founded the clinic as a Center of Excellence in a local hospital. So, I trust him.

I don't have things like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. Although I do have asthma. I'm not sure if any of those things make a difference in the 1 day diet.

Like you all say, it will prepare you with post-op eating behaviors, being on the two week liquid diet. Great! You will do very well.

I had my surgery on the 12th and asked my doctor about this afterwards. He said that in his time of doing this procedure, he has had people follow both protocols of pre-op diets (1-2 weeks vs 1 day of liquids). He said that most people find it difficult to be compliant with a week or two of liquids plus it makes little difference in the reduction of your liver if you do it for one day or one week. I personally only had the one day pre-op and my surgery went fine. To each his own I say!

My sister had gastric bypass surgery 10 Yeats ago and she told my that back then they didn't do the liquid diet pre-op. She said that it was a "last meal" diet. You weren't going to get to eat it anymore so this was your last chance to eat the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with peach cobbler for dessert, etc.

I'm halfway through my first day or a week-long pre-op diet, and I'm already struggling. All I can think about is how hungry I am. I know it's suppose to improve after a couple of days, but how will I make it that long? I don't mean to sound too dramatic. I will make it -- this is soooo important to me. But it makes me feel better to whine :-)

Sometimes venting can release frustration. Vent away

Don't get me wrong- I'm SUPER glad I only have a one-day pre-op diet but just curious why there is such a variance. Are there others that only have to do liquids for one day before surgery??

In hindsight, I'm glad for my 2 week pre-op. It prepared me for the new way of eating for a bit. It prepared me for the post-op life ????

this!! My doctor wants me to diet two weeks, he says because of my age, height and BMI. He wants it to be as easy as possible and this will help me prepare for after surgery!

I have a 2 week pre-op diet. BMI 40. I was told to shrink the liver. The risk of surgery being an open one increases if fatty liver is in the way. I do think this is very individual and varies from person to person. I met a lady at the same clinic who had to do a 1 month liquid diet. So I think it is very individual.

It’s always amazing to me how different surgeons have different protocols. The important thing is you find a surgeon you trust and then stick with the program. It’s nice you can come here and get confirmation, though!

Good luck!

I don't have a 2 week pre op diet either but decided to start switching over to protein shakes for 2 meals a day. I will have my surgery date next week but know it will be June. 2 weeks prior I will probably do full liquid so it's not so overwhelming.

I was told 1 week pre-op diet. I was really concerned about being vigilant, and I wanted to be successful. So, I did 2 weeks to make sure I could be "cheat-free" on the week that counted. I really think it prepared me for post-op success.

I am on day 29 of a strict diet. We have to do it for a month. 5 protein shakes a day and one low fat, low carb meal. 4 ounces of lean protein, 1 cup of vegetables and a small piece of fruit. 80 ounces of water and exercise 5 days at least 45-60 minutes. I'm down 25.5 pounds so far. My surgery is Tuesday the 19th. Going on the is diet for so long has been a blessing for me. It has given me enough time to grieve, break a habit and create a new habit. Best of luck to all!

I had no pre-op diet at all, just nothing to eat after 7pm the night before. My NUT said if my BMI was over 45, then yes I would need to do a two week pre-op diet, but mine was 43, so I didn't.

I'm scheduled for surgery June 9th and my doctor doesn't require a pre-op diet. Just Clear liquids the day before surgery. I'm worried about going from suddenly eating whatever I want (pre-op) to only being able to drink liquids for a few weeks after surgery (post-op), so I'm going ahead (with my Drs permission) and slowly introducing Protein shakes into my diet. I'm hoping the week before surgery to just eat one full meal a day and replace the others with fluids. That way it wont be such a HUGE shock to my body, or my mind.

I'm still trying to figure out what to eat for my "last meal"- has anyone else started considering that yet too?

Good luck to those of you with dates coming up soon! Only three weeks left for me!