Hi everyone need some advice! I officially start a 8 day strictly liquid pre op diet on August 3rd for surgery the 11th... Is it safe to drink alcohol this weekend before the pre op diet starts? I'm in Chicago on a little trip and my doctor never said anything about alcohol before the pre op diet starting but wanted to hear any one else's opinion on the matter. Thanks!

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My doctor said no alcohol 24-48 hours before surgery.

I'm sure your doctor gave you the instructions. I don't know anyone's pre op diet that makes allowances for Alcohol. You may as well start taking this seriously NOW.

I would think your liquid diet has an implied understanding that it is all you are consuming. I was afraid of liver issues and stopped drinking months in advance of pre-op.

Everyone is individual and maybe your nut will say it is no big deal based on your situation. I would ask them.

The OP is talking about drinking alcohol BEFORE the liquid diet starts. Seems to be a bit of confusion there.

If your surgeon gave you no restrictions for prior to the start of the pre-op diet, then I don't see why you couldn't drink alcohol.

My mistake. I would agree, but you can always ask if you are concerned!

@

As long as it is before August 3rd I don't see an issue.

Right . Definitely asking before I start! Thanks!

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The point of the pre-op diet is to reduce the size of your liver to make surgery easier and less dangerous. Alcohol increases the size of your liver. The higher your BMI, the larger your liver is likely to be and the more likely it is that your liver is going to be blocking your stomach.

Alcohol affects the size of your liver for *two weeks* after you drink it. That means drinking this weekend will make your liver be enlarged at the time of your surgery.

So....drinking this weekend will make your surgery more difficult and dangerous.

The point of the pre-op diet is to reduce the size of your liver to make surgery easier and less dangerous. Alcohol increases the size of your liver. The higher your BMI, the larger your liver is likely to be and the more likely it is that your liver is going to be blocking your stomach.

Alcohol affects the size of your liver for *two weeks* after you drink it. That means drinking this weekend will make your liver be enlarged at the time of your surgery.

So....drinking this weekend will make your surgery more difficult and dangerous.

Yikes that's good information to keep in mind.

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I wouldn't ... Too much sugar.

Edited July 28, 201610 yr by transformation

Don't. You want that liver small. I drank a great deal before my surgery. I tapered off and quit completly two weeks before surgery. The result? My surgery was done in less than 30 minutes, greatly speeding up the recovery process. So think about what you want. I got in the best shape I could going in and did everything I could to make it easy for my surgeon. Why "cheat" on this?

@ I asked my surgeon this very question! I have almost tapered off drinking completely but I like to enjoy a drink now and again. I have a wedding 3 weeks pre-op, and it's open bar so I wanted to be sure ahead of time before I did anything I shouldn't! He told me that as long as I'm not doing it during my "pre-op" diet, and not doing it consistently, I should be fine. But he did say no alcohol what-so-ever during the 14 day pre-op diet. I know every surgeon is different, but that's the answer I got if it helps! Best of luck!

Edited July 28, 201610 yr by Shrinking Kritta

OP - just as long as you're drinking before the Pre-Op diet starts, you'll be fine.

Once the diet starts, though - you'll need to remain focused.

Hi everyone need some advice! I officially start a 8 day strictly liquid pre op diet on August 3rd for surgery the 11th... Is it safe to drink alcohol this weekend before the pre op diet starts? I'm in Chicago on a little trip and my doctor never said anything about alcohol before the pre op diet starting but wanted to hear any one else's opinion on the matter. Thanks!

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Don't guess - call your surgeon. Enjoy Chicago!

I'm not cheating on this... I'm very educated in the subject just wondering what everyone's opinion way because I appreciate it. I'm a nurse a few months away from being a nurse practitioner and know how different each surgeon Is... Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the topic l.

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