Okay so I am wondering why some doctors want you to do a 2-week pre-op liquid diet and others don't. A friend of mine had the surgery a month-and-a-half ago and was just as overweight as I am now. Her doctor did not require a 2-week pre-op liquid diet but mine does. I do not want to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks before the operation! Anyone else eat up until the day before surgery?

Some doctors just have different routines when compared to other doctors, some doctors have different routines for their individual patients and that may be based on their start weight, health issues, their liver functions (which may indicate a large fatty liver that needs to be smaller for surgery), etc etc. I suspect some doctors do it to get patients into a compliance routine for their post op diet, particularly the first couple of weeks. If a patient can't or won't comply with a two week pre-op diet how will they manage in the first two to three months or so?

You don't want to risk surgery being delayed by not following your doctor's orders. If you don't want a liquid diet pre-op find a doctor who doesn't do it, your friend's doctor is a good start.

It's two weeks vs the rest of your life...think about it

Edited July 2, 20188 yr by 2shea

Hi-

I'm scheduled for surgery next Monday 7/9 at BI Milton in MA and I'm on 2 protein shakes a day plus 1 meal (protein + veggies + fruit, no carbs). No snacks, no caffeine, no alcohol. The first few days were TORTURE. I was lightheaded and dizzy and really cranky. Now I'm a week in and it's better physically but still hard emotionally/socially. I've decided it's good prep for post-op and it's getting me in the right frame of mind for surgery and the changes I'll need to make long-term. Hang in there!

Elizabeth

@mandmom the liquid diet sucks, I bet we all will admit that. BUT it sucks for 2-4 days, you'll lose anywhere from 5-20 pounds (possibly, I lost 17) . It makes your surgery SO much safer so your surgeon can maneuver around your less fatty liver, and personally I think it helps prepare you for the next stages post-op. Most likely you'll be on clear fluids for a few days, then a diet very similar to your liquid diet for a few weeks and then hopefully progress slowly from there. All surgeons are different, but I feel like if you can get through the pre-op diet you'll rule the world because I don't care what anyone says, every single day after WLS is an adventure.