Hi All,

I keep coming across threads about the pre-op liquid diet but I am on a 1000kcal a day diet. I am from London so unsure as to whether this plays a part or not in the differences in diet just looking for any advice on tackling this diet?

I started on the 30th and so far I have lost about 1kg (2lbs), just completed my third day - almost (about to have some fruit). However I do feel I have been doing minor cheats, I have not eaten anything that is not on the list, I have been juice free and only drinking Water. However my bad points are: ketchup,mayonnaise, skin on chicken, teaspoon of sugar in tea and maybe adding a heaped tbsp of potato instead of minimally adding them.

Just need Any advice???

Not everyone has a pre-op liquid diet. Different surgeon's may have different requirements.

Mine was similar to an Atkin's phase 1 (high Protein, very low carb). So for me, fruit and bread were not allowed but I could have bacon!

Most pre-op diets are designed to shrink the liver so that there is more room for your surgeon to maneuver during surgery since he or she has to lift the liver out of the way to reach your stomach.

All I can suggest is to follow your surgeon's instructions and focus on what you can have instead of what you can't.

It is only for a short time and is for your benefit.

I know it's hard, but hang in there.

@@Inner Surfer Girl yeah it's only cause I've come across more threads discussing the liquid diet and not diets incorporating food.

But definitely got it I can't dwell on it now can only take the necessary steps. Just have to cancel everything that isn't necessary. Thanks for the help.

Be careful with ketchup.

My surgeon spent about 30 minutes in our pre-op session talking about the evils of high fructose corn syrup which is in EVERYTHING, including most ketchup.

That was my main fear the sugar amongst other things in ketchup, but definitely will not be continuing with that ruling it out completely. Despite the temptations, looking at the bigger picture it's just not worth it

How far along in the process are you? Do you have a surgery date yet? If not then I wouldn't worry about it too much - your surgeon's office will surely instruct you appropriately when the time comes. Its true that surgeons vary wildly on their pre-op diet requirements. Based on what I've read around these forums, my surgeon seems very lax in this department. I'll just continue to consume 1200 cals/day until the day before surgery, when they want me to switch to Clear liquids, then nothing after midnight. Be sure to read all literature you may have received from them. I received a thick binder that was very detailed in describing their practices and outlining what to expect, including both pre and post-op diet plans. If you do have a surgery date and still haven't received further instruction, I would give the office a call and ask what their requirements are.

My surgery is on the 13th Jan. The diet Involves me consuming 800-1000 Kcal a day, the main issue I had was the restrictions weren't as clear, so for example it does not explicitly say I cannot have condiments (ketchup, Mayo, etc) or that I am not allowed sugar so, that's where it is a bit baffling - but I just felt it necessary to minimise sugar and now I am avoiding eating anything where I am used to adding sugar: Cereal, tea, etc. However, to be safe It says I have an allowance of unlimited low calories squash and fizzy drinks, tea, Water, coffee, but I've only been drinking water, had tea twice and will be drinking herbal tea, but strictly water just to be safe and I don't drink fizzy drinks.

So yh, I have been fretting but it's only hard when I see other people eating but when I'm home alone for most of the day, I am only cooking what I need (when I have to cook) and that's helping me curb it. I would say the hardest part of this is the temptation when others are eating around you, besides that it's surprising how small amounts of food throughout the day keep you going.

Yeah I would call your surgeon's office first thing Monday morning to verify if there's anything more you should be doing before surgery. My office needed to diet for 3 months before submitting insurance, and while my binder included recipes and meal plans, they made it clear that those were in no way required - they were just ideas more for those who are used to takeout and packaged meals and don't know where to start (I'm a total foodie and a great cook - not an issue for me). There were no specific guidelines other than 1200 cals/day and 70-90g of Protein, though it should be noted that I'm not quite in pre-op yet. However the guidelines for what was okay AFTER surgery were very clear, and I figured it best to ease my way into those restrictions and avoid the caffeine withdrawals and sugar headaches that would have happened if I'd waited until the last minute.

That is a lot, I will try and call them tomorrow only issue is as I'm having it on our National Health Service, there i don't have a direct number for the nutritionist or dietician which is who I would need, the last time I called to try and have an appointment scheduled was a nightmare but I will attempt nonetheless, to make sure I am doing everything ok. It's good that you're ahead I think that is vital and once you get to this pre-op stage it won't be hard. I also think it prepares you for life afterward which makes perfect sense.

Day 5 today and so far so good, weighed myself and my start weight before the pre-op was 152.3 and today 148.2. I am somewhat becoming scale obsessed which is so bad! But seeing the weight drop is such a change for me it's surprising and sort of a reminder that I must be doing something ok.

I would continue to try and get a hold of your nutritionist, at the very least. Get some clarification. You're losing weight which is great but definitely need to watch your carb intake. Best of luck!

Hi NovaL

I am having my surgery in London on 9th January and am also on a food based pre-op diet.

I have to be honest I find the food a bit difficult to spice up without condiments! So far I have managed with a bit of vinegar. I was told that if I did have sauce to make sure it was low in sugar and tomato based? I am not keen on tomato so that's a non starter for me, I'd rather go without...

It is hard especially when having to cook for others. I was actually given the option by my NUT of 3, either food based (800-1000 cals and max 100g of Carbs per day), Soup/Yoghurt based or just having 3.5 pints of milk per day!

I actually wanted to do the milk diet as I am prone to be all or nothing sort of person but my Surgeon who has banned milk as he says it bloats your colon/bowel so I am alternating between the food one day and soup/yoghurt the next (this is allowed according to my NUT but not to 'mix' the days).

I then have to do 48 hours of Clear liquids only.

I was wondering about the difference in pre-op diets but when I asked my surgeon he said he could probably do surgery after me following the pre-op diet for only a few days! I am doing the diet for 7 days then 2 days of clears.

Is it possible to ring your Surgeon's secretary as I have found that even in the NHS that can usually point you the right direction for who to talk to? Which hospital are you going to?

I know that health wise having the RNY bypass op has to be the right decision, but it doesn't stop me feeling sick with nerves about Saturday though!

Hi Bagpuss

5 days left you must be excited! I was thinking to do the same also, having looked at the diet and tried over the last few days I think I'm going to start alternating my current diet with Soups, because I do not want to take in too much carbs overtime. I have some soups at home that are only about 40 kcal so I'm going to try that tomorrow for lunch and dinner.

Also it is strange how the diets differ in length also, but with the mistakes I have made being that it's Christmas period and I haven't been able to have any direct guidance I do think the two weeks may have worked out in my favour as the mistakes I may have made can be corrected for the next week and 2 days. I also think it works more so with curbing hunger afterwards, some forums talk about people sharing accounts of not following the diet and being ok (I have not read this personally though) an would never try that! This journey has been wayyyy to long to allow my errors now.

I'm having mine at St Mary's in Paddington, how about you? Is it private?

My Pre-op which I thought was pretty standard is based on your bmi..40-50 bmi, your start 15 days prior and you basically drink 2or3 Protein shakes a day with a dinner of chicken or fish and a salad. You can eat as much raw or cooked veggies as YOU want than 8 days till surgery you start an all liquid diet broths, sugar free everything like Jello, juice, popsicles than 3 days prior take 1 laxative than midnight before surgery nothing.

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Hi All,

I keep coming across threads about the pre-op liquid diet but I am on a 1000kcal a day diet. I am from London so unsure as to whether this plays a part or not in the differences in diet just looking for any advice on tackling this diet?

I started on the 30th and so far I have lost about 1kg (2lbs), just completed my third day - almost (about to have some fruit). However I do feel I have been doing minor cheats, I have not eaten anything that is not on the list, I have been juice free and only drinking Water. However my bad points are: ketchup,mayonnaise, skin on chicken, teaspoon of sugar in tea and maybe adding a heaped tbsp of potato instead of minimally adding them.

Just need Any advice???

My Pre-op which I thought was pretty standard is based on your bmi..40-50 bmi, your start 15 days prior and you basically drink 2or3 Protein shakes a day with a dinner of chicken or fish and a salad. You can eat as much raw or cooked veggies as YOU want than 8 days till surgery you start an all liquid diet broths, sugar free everything like Jello, juice, popsicles than 3 days prior take 1 laxative than midnight before surgery nothing.

My surgery is Jan 20th. So excited.

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Thank you all for the messages, I took the step to call the hospital and the dietician got back to me yesterday. She sort of explained I was pretty much following the diet, asked me any challenges I may have encountered and tips to avoid them. Also asked about the sugar and condiments to which she did say use sweetener instead of sugar and in regards to sauces if it's a small amount it won't make any difference but too much is no good. I briefly discussed my carb intake maybe being more than the recommended amount on some days and she just expressed to me that as tempting as it may be just stick it out for the 5 DAYS TO GO! Also, judging by my weight loss so far of 4-5 kg (between 8-11 lbs), that I was definitely doing something right.

That definitely helped and aided in avoiding anything over the next 4 days, so I will be sticking it out to a T!

Hi Bagpuss

5 days left you must be excited! I was thinking to do the same also, having looked at the diet and tried over the last few days I think I'm going to start alternating my current diet with soups, because I do not want to take in too much carbs overtime. I have some soups at home that are only about 40 kcal so I'm going to try that tomorrow for lunch and dinner.

Also it is strange how the diets differ in length also, but with the mistakes I have made being that it's Christmas period and I haven't been able to have any direct guidance I do think the two weeks may have worked out in my favour as the mistakes I may have made can be corrected for the next week and 2 days. I also think it works more so with curbing hunger afterwards, some forums talk about people sharing accounts of not following the diet and being ok (I have not read this personally though) an would never try that! This journey has been wayyyy to long to allow my errors now.

I'm having mine at St Mary's in Paddington, how about you? Is it private?

Hi NovaL

Glad the Preop diet is working and that you got your answers! I have lost 13 pounds in the 9 days on my pre-op.

My Op is scheduled for 8am tomorrow - really, really nervous now and just want it to be over and done with.

I am self pay at Kings.

Good luck and see you on the other side!

Edited January 8, 201610 yr by Bagpuss