what does the diet that you are supposed to be on about 2 weeks before the surgery to shrink your liver consist of? I heard its all liquids but exactly what did you have to do? Im thinkin i can start it now, im waiting for my initial visit.

Hi! I was on a 1000 calorie a day diet for two weeks. It wasn't horrible - got used to it after a couple of days. I dropped 19 pounds - it was weird. Anyway, it definitely shrunk my liver - the surgeon said it was beautiful

well thats a great compliment:clap2: so you didnt need to do an all liquid diet then?

Nope - not an all liquid. As a matter of fact, I tried to stay away from liquids and mushies because I knew I'd be sick to death of them after surgery. I was just really careful and tracked all of my calories - and made sure they were from fairly healthy sources. Surprising when you only have 1000 calories to deal with - sucks when you use up 500 of them in one sitting! I can give you some ideas of some stuff that worked well for me if you want.

From what I can tell, every surgeon is different and has their own pre-op diet. Mine was 1100 calories per day, I had to have 4 protein shakes and then dinner with whatever calories were left out of the 1100. It was for two weeks. Not too bad, plus I lost about 15 lbs on it!!

GREAT ideas would be very helpful. i have tried calorie counting on my own to lose weight and i suck at it lol i stop tracking my calories. But i am bound and determined to do it.:whoo:

If I remember correctly, it was all liquids. They recommended sugar free carnation instant Breakfast drink made with skim milk. In addition, anything sugar free to drink. In addition, I think we could have Soup broth. Sugar free popsicles and fudgsicles too. I think that sugar free popsicles are helping keep my sanity.

Good luck, and stick to it because if your liver shrinks the surgery is safer.

I am at the end of day 5 of my pre-op diet. My diet is up to 800 calories a day, made up of 3 Optifast shakes, 2 cups of low starch veggies, and low cal drinks/sugar free jelly etc.

I found the first 2 days really hard - I was starving, but I persevered and day 3 onwards hasn't been bad at all in terms of hunger.

As someone else has said - it sounds like all docs have different pre- and post-op diets.

Good luck

Mine is low-carb: limit 30 grams of fat and 30 grams of carbs and at least 70 grams of protein but no calorie restriction.

I was put on the Opti-fast diet for two weeks. It was based on my BMI, I was allowed 5 drinks and two of the protein bars a day. I was down 20 lbs the day of my surgery.

I have to do Optifast...5 drinks per day. They said if I feel dizzy to add one bouillon a day. Unlimited sugar free popsicles and jello. So far so good, you have the Optifast every 3 hours and I'm not hungry at all. Hope it continues!

I was put on the Sugar Buster Diet for 2 weeks. It wasn't that bad, i lost 15 lbs on it. Basically, i ate lean meats, dairy products, non-starchy vegetables, some fruits, and whole grain breads. No white bread or pasta or potatoes. Good luck.

I did 5 slim fast shakes per day, 2 cups of veggies, 3 oz. of chicken grilled with lemon, sugar free ice pops and jello, and chicken buillion. I also had to have skim milk, no sugar and lots of water.

I have to go on a 10 day liquid only diet starting this next Saturday. I did start easing into it last week, though. I had a protein drink for breakfast and 2 light meals. This week, I am replacing 2 meals with a protein drink, and then I start all liquid Saturday. I couldn't see going from 3 meals a day to just drinks. I've been using Atkins Advantage and Unjury. Both are pretty good