Hi People

I'm in the process of booking a date for a band removal which will be followed by a sleeve (8-10 weeks later) and the surgeon has asked me to go on the VLCD/Liver Shrink diet for at least 4 weeks leading up to the band removal. Everything I've read about the pre-op phase is that people generally go on the pre-op diet for no more than 2 weeks. I don't know why he's asking for 4 weeks as he only looked at me, no bloods etc. My concern is not about not eating, it's about the impact it will have on my ability to function and keep working. Headaches, lethargy, mood swings etc are all things I'm concerned about.

I am 31 years old, 6ft1 and weigh 170KG. I don't have any medical conditions apart from mild Asthma so am perplexed as to why he's asking for this?

There is a lot of differing prescriptions for pre opt dieting. Once I mentally committed to the process, I went "all in" and started at 1500 calories a day the morning after my orientation and weigh-in. I also stopped coffee, soda, and booze. I did that for 6 weeks and dropped to 1000 calories for the week before surgery with more liquids (but not all).

I drank a lot of Water and crystal lite. I took Tylenol if I got a headache, but I didn't have a lot.

The results were great. I was down 30 lbs before surgery (1/3rd of my goal) and my surgery was a total breeze (pain free, in and out in less than 55 minutes, driving without pain killers in 3 days).

I'm speculating, but I think the more abdominal weight we lose pre opt, the more space the surgeons have to work with. This means less trauma and firmer tissue to stitch up.

By the way, all that pre opt dieting made my post opt quite easy. I was back to normal foods in 6 weeks and hit my weight loss goal 5 months after surgery.

I'd look at it as a marathon and the more miles you cover early, the sooner the race will be over and you'll be the "new you".

Good luck!

I did a 5 week pre op diet. The first few days were hard, low energy, headaches but after a few days it was fine

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Does anyone know if it's ok to eat extra Protein during this pre-op liver shrink phase? Could I eat an egg in the morning along with my shake and maybe some lean roast chicken at dinner?

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They told me no! Only the diet that was given. I sure know how you feel. I am on my 2nd day of the diet.

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Does anyone know if it's ok to eat extra Protein during this pre-op liver shrink phase? Could I eat an egg in the morning along with my shake and maybe some lean roast chicken at dinner?

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eggs were on my preopt diet. Ask your NUT...

What will happen during your 14 day diet it you end up cheating for a day will they not give you the surgery

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