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

Did everyone go through a liquid pre-op diet?



Recommended Posts

Short answer: No, but you should.

Long answer: The point of the liquid preop diet is to make both your body and psyche adapt for what comes next. Liquid Protein supplements are the ideal form, since you do not lose muscle mass and accomplish your goal, basically a win-win. It also makes surgery easier in case where you have conditions like fatty liver that may obstruct the surgeons view, and believe me that having solids in your body will literally be a pain when your intestinal transit goes back to normal and you cannot expel them properly due to not being able to apply the proper abdominal pressure.

When it comes to the bottom line, your body won't implode or anything, but it will make things easier for both the surgeon and yourself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon did not require it (perhaps because i was only in the 200s)but i did a version of it anyway to make sure i did not have excess waste in my body as i have a sluggish digestive system

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, 3 painful weeks on Optifast prior to my surgery on April 23 :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine was 10 days total: 5 days of mushy foods, 3 days full liquids, 2 days Clear Liquids. So, it wasn't nearly as restrictive as some, but my surgeon complemented me on my "flat as a pancake" liver!

Edited by Orchids&Dragons

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Pre-op diets vary from nothing at all other than the day or night before surgery to months of liquids, and varying rationale are given for them, mostly either to "shrink" the liver or otherwise improve its condition prior to surgery, or to "get one ready" for post op regimens. The liver shrinking thing is debated amongst the surgeons, as to how much improvement can actually be accomplished with a week or two of dieting, how necessary such changes are depending upon surgeons' background and experiences. I find the "get used to post op" a weak argument in that in the immediate post op times there isn't much that one feels like eating other than the soft/mushy/liquidy stuff for a while, though some programs have progression rates that are very much slower than others, so possibly those guys might need that transition (or it may make it worse.)

In any case, it is best to follow your program's guidelines. If they have a long and involved pre-op regimen, do it, as you want the surgeon as comfortable as possible when he is rooting around in your insides. If they have no pre-op diet, or a very short or simple one, don't worry about it as something longer or more involved is not needed for their program; the most successful programs that I have run across, both from the perspective of good long term results and low complication rates don't involve any pre-op diets other than the usual day before thing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did not. My program only required a 1400-calorie diet for the two weeks prior to surgery, but as RickM said, every program is different.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a 2 week full liquid diet (the same one I would be doing 5-12 after surgery (1-4 clear liquids). The 2 week one was 1000 calories very low fat, very low carbs to shrink the liver. My surgeon said mine was smaller. I'm now on blended, in (ugh) 9 days I will be doing soft foods. Every surgeon/dietician is different. I'm amazed at the people who start off with Protein Shakes day 1 from the hospital! Your poor little stomach.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am doing a Protein Shake and clear liquid diet for one week and a sugar free clear liquid diet for 2 days before surgery. My problem is I can't find a Protein shake that isn't the most disgusting thing I've ever put in my mouth! Anyone have any suggestions? I'm on my fourth day of clear liquids.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have svelte French vanilla organic Protein Shakes, not only can you not taste the soy in it, it tastes like homage cooked pudding. The downside? Not 30mg Protein like Premier and maybe harder to find🌝

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's HOMEMADE, not whatever this Chinese perfected cellphone with a spell correct demon inside it. Sorry😓

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon said no solids day before surgery and that was it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×