Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Has anyone been told that they DO NOT have to do the pre-op diet? No one at my doctor's office has mentioned it to me and I just had a CT scan for other issues and it states that I have a normal size liver. Just wondering???

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Has anyone been told that they DO NOT have to do the pre-op diet? No one at my doctor's office has mentioned it to me and I just had a CT scan for other issues and it states that I have a normal size liver. Just wondering???


Hi I also had my ultrasound and all the tests that showed my liver is of normal size. However, been on the pre-op liquid diet for a week. I was also wondering but was too scared to ask the doc.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You'd have to work pretty hard to not lose weight if you follow the pre-op diet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

57 minutes ago, Vsgneeded said:


Hi I also had my ultrasound and all the tests that showed my liver is of normal size. However, been on the pre-op liquid diet for a week. I was also wondering but was too scared to ask the doc.

I am just going to ask when the time comes. All he can say is you have to be on it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, belinda401 said:

Has anyone been told that they DO NOT have to do the pre-op diet? No one at my doctor's office has mentioned it to me and I just had a CT scan for other issues and it states that I have a normal size liver. Just wondering???

The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Lots of people only have to do Clear Liquids the day before.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Suelund said:

Hi there, i have my op on 12 June and i have been told i dont need to do the pre-op diet either. I think it has to do with the size of your liver and your bmi (mine os 38)

Sent from my SM-G930F using BariatricPal mobile app

Mine is 35 so maybe that will

be the case for me as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think there were three levels of pre-op diet that my surgeon presented: one for those with BMIs between 35-40 which was just clear liquids 24 hours pre-surgery (so as to not risk slipping below a BMI of 35 as the pre-op diet will cause weight loss). Then for those between 40-50 BMI it was 2 Protein Shakes & 2 meals a day; the 50+ BMI is full liquid diet for two weeks pre-surgery. I'm on day 8 of the 2nd option, so I'm lucky I get to chew some food at least once a day. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told to do essentially Atkins (lean Protein and steamed vegetables) but without any of the crap Atkins fillers (bars/shakes) . That starts today for just shy of 2 weeks, then 2 weeks of the Vitaleph diet. The nutritionist said I need to go from 295lbs to 280lbs by July 6th (current BMI of 44), and zero alcohol from now until then. I'm going to miss a relaxing after work beer with the fiance.

For Canadians mostly - On the Vitaleph website its about $360 total for the pre-op and post-op Vitaleph, with $35 shipping. It ended up being about $500.00 to get it to me in Calgary.... but I figured what's the point of a $10,000 surgery if I don't bother to take full advantage and make it all worth it, plus I might appreciate a chocolate shake to break up all the chicken broth lol

blah blah blah sorry for the long post :)

28 Days to go..I'm so happy I'm almost giddy like a child

Edited by DedicatedLady

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, my surgeon told 4 of us that we didn't need to do a pre-op diet. He was just like don't gain any weight or our surgery will be pushed back. Our diet program is also very different. We are on clear liquids for 2 days and boom puree, feels a little fast but the Nutritionist said she doesn't want us on liquids too long because there's not that much nutrition.

Sent from my LGLS770 using Tapatalk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's interesting, both my nutritionist and surgeon have talked about two weeks of an all liquid diet. I know several other patients of weight lose surgery and they all had the same liquid diet requirement. I have a meeting with my surgeon in a few weeks, I'm going to ask if that's because I'm in a certain BMI range or not.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Surgical diet programs and philosophies, pre- and post-op, vary all over the board. Ours was just clear liquids and bowel prep the day before (just like for a colonoscopy,) and then purees and soft Proteins along with liquids from the hospital on out for the first month.

One surgeon I talk with occasionally, who works out of a different practice but has similar protocols, says that the last thing he wants his patients doing is fasting for weeks ahead of surgery - he wants them as strong and healthy as possible when on the table. Quite a different take from the usual liver shrinking thing we frequently hear, but no less valid. YMMV.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I find the different surgeon recommendations for pre-op diets interesting. I was prepared to have to do a liquid diet, but as far as I know I'm just supposed to maintain or lose weight before surgery and do all liquids the day before. It's recommended to start a low-carb diet before surgery but there's no time frame. I haven't scheduled yet but I'm probably going to start 14 days before. That being said, my surgeon has a kind of conservative post-op diet, I can't start full liquids until 15 days out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×