Pre Op Too Easy

[April.Sedais 1]

Last week I returned from vacationing out of the country to find out my surgery has been scheduled for December the 19th. (!!) I'm so happy to be moving forward that I don't even mind that the money I elected for my 2017 medical FSA is going to pretty much be pointless now. One thing that does concern me is that my surgeon basically requires NO pre-op diet. Just liquids after 6pm the night before and NPO after midnight. Should I just go with it? Should I put myself on a liquid diet?

[laceemouse 631]

Plenty of people have no pre-op diet and do fine. I had a very easy 3 day one (not liquid, just low carb/low fat) and did fine.

The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver but during surgery they use a device to lift your liver out of the way anyway. And some surgeons believe the long, liquid pre-op diets don't do that much.

If I were you I would just start eating healthier, maybe cut out sugar and caffeine??? And junk food?

[April.Sedais 1]

Plenty of people have no pre-op diet and do fine. I had a very easy 3 day one (not liquid, just low carb/low fat) and did fine.

The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver but during surgery they use a device to lift your liver out of the way anyway. And some surgeons believe the long, liquid pre-op diets don't do that much.

If I were you I would just start eating healthier, maybe cut out sugar and caffeine??? And junk food?

Thanks for the reply! I hadn't heard of anyone else not having to go through an extended pre-op diet period so that does make me feel better.

The scene that keeps playing through my mind is surgery day arriving, he opens me up and the whole team gasps at my freakishly large liver. One dude actually take a (illegal) photo to post on his Instagram later, #poorprep. Meanwhile, the doctor sews me back up without sleeving me enters a tailspin of a career crisis and I have to start over finding a new doctor. But hey! I'd get to spend that FSA money after all!

[KathyLynn160 27]

Mine only requires the 2 week low carb diet. I was surprised a little.

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[cdeisroth 420]

I did not require a pre op diet, just Clear liquids the day before. I had RNY, so different surgery but even more invasive and everything went off without a hitch! Every surgeon is different but if you're not comfortable I would call them and ask them to explain the reasoning behind their instructions.

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[_Kate_ 2,224]

I did 18 days of 3 to 4 Protein shakes a day and was grateful I did, although it was very hard.

My own personal opinion is that it pepared me for the fact I couldn't eat full meals after the surgery. It didn't feel as if it would be such a shock and I also lost weight. Win all round

Best of luck for the surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery

[Dub 9,955]

I would do everything in my power to ensure there was zero chance for food particles to be in my digestive system when I arrived for surgery.

[NotThatBright 4]

I recommend going on a low-fat diet, and probably low carb, to try and shrink your liver, the liver loves to hold onto fat. My surgeon had me take dulcolax two nights prior to the surgery so I guaranteed a bowel movement the day prior. Otherwise just be strict about the 2 day liquid prep diet they instructed you to follow.

[My4Brownies 283]

Sleeved November 9th and I had to go on a 1 week no carb diet, start my Vitamins and increase Protein shakes..they wanted me to increase Protein due to Clear Liquids, pureed after surgery so I would not loose nutrients in muscle.Good luck on surgery.

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[April.Sedais 1]

I did 18 days of 3 to 4 Protein shakes a day and was grateful I did, although it was very hard.

My own personal opinion is that it pepared me for the fact I couldn't eat full meals after the surgery. It didn't feel as if it would be such a shock and I also lost weight. Win all round

Best of luck for the surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery

Good point. Thanks!