The dreaded full liquid diet

[AnnieD78 82]

I’m having RNY on August 14. Today begins day 4 of the full liquids diet. The nutritionist told me many patients say this is the hardest part and I can see why. My stomach is upset, my sleep is interrupted and my mood is... hangry. She said by day 5 I should start to lose my appetite, which will make it easier. I’ve noticed I associate physical hunger with something really, really awful.

But I was thinking... for those of you who have had surgery.... do you feel like 2 weeks on the liquid diet helped you better mentally prepare for life AFTER surgery in any way? I was thinking that might be another benefit to this preop diet... so that it’s not just one day having surgery and then BOOM not eating. Also... I mean... I get to see right now what it’s like to not have food to cope with life. As opposed to after surgery.

[GreenTealael 24,905]

4 minutes ago, AnnieD78 said:

But I was thinking... for those of you who have had surgery.... do you feel like 2 weeks on the liquid diet helped you better mentally prepare for life AFTER surgery in any way?

Absolutely!

Plus it really kickstarts your weightloss too. You'll be on liquids post op and your compliance before and after can set you up mentally for success because it proves (if only to yourself) your level of endurance and seriousness about it all.

Also dont forget the main reason for the preop liver shrink: to male sure your liver is soft, small and pliable enough to move during surgery without the risk of ot breaking tearing or puncturing.

If it is not, your surgeon may decide to close up and rescheduled surgery until it is... No one wants that.

Good Luck 💜

[RickM 1,747]

I'm not so sure about that - we didn't have any pre-op diet, and didn't really miss "getting used to" post op liquids - you don't really feel like anything else for a while. Now, I can understand that with some programs that impose post op liquids for an extended time - many weeks for some - that one may have to get used to their "new normal", but for us is was mostly just a transitory thing that we used as we needed as we progressed into soft and mushy things.

[AnnieD78 82]

On 08/03/2019 at 09:21, GreenTealael said:

Absolutely!

Plus it really kickstarts your weightloss too. You'll be on liquids post op and your compliance before and after can set you up mentally for success because it proves (if only to yourself) your level of endurance and seriousness about it all.

Also dont forget the main reason for the preop liver shrink: to male sure your liver is soft, small and pliable enough to move during surgery without the risk of ot breaking tearing or puncturing.

If it is not, your surgeon may decide to close up and rescheduled surgery until it is... No one wants that.

Good Luck 💜

I’m definitely trying to focus on the purpose of it. I’m just sooooooo hungry. And I feel like I can’t go anywhere or do anything bc my stomach is a mess and everything out in the world revolves around food.

[PEGGO 107]

I was told by the hospital to do a diet of 2 cups of vegetables , and 4 slimfast a day . but I hear everyone talking about the pre- op liquid diet 🤔Is that what most people’s are doing ? I’ve been doing it now for nearly 4 weeks , because my surgery was cancelled on 25th July because of the extreme heat here , and they told me to carry on with the liver shrinkage diet until I went in again . Sometimes I get hungry but surprised how I could do it .l

[AnnieD78 82]

On 08/03/2019 at 13:58, PEGGO said:

I was told by the hospital to do a diet of 2 cups of vegetables , and 4 slimfast a day . but I hear everyone talking about the pre- op liquid diet 🤔Is that what most people’s are doing ? I’ve been doing it now for nearly 4 weeks , because my surgery was cancelled on 25th July because of the extreme heat here , and they told me to carry on with the liver shrinkage diet until I went in again . Sometimes I get hungry but surprised how I could do it .l

I honestly think it’s different for different programs. The diet is different and then the length they make you do it is different, too. Some people say there’s is 2 shakes and 1 meal a day. Mine is just Protein Shakes, broth, sugar free Jello and sugar free popsicles.

[HipHopDiva 220]

Mine will be full "clear" liquids starting August 19th - 1 week. broth, sugar free pop sickles, gatorade, Water, sugar free Jello, etc. I'm totally excited & ready. WE CAN DO THIS!

[kristieshannon 1,558]

The diet varies from program to program. I’m in the middle of my 2 week pre-op which is very low carbs (less than 20g/day), high Protein (120g/day). I only have to do Clear Liquids the last 24 hours prior to my surgery on 8/12. I felt pretty rough the first couple days, but feeling ok now.

[NancyLF 234]

10 hours ago, AnnieD78 said:

I’m having RNY on August 14. Today begins day 4 of the full liquids diet. The nutritionist told me many patients say this is the hardest part and I can see why. My stomach is upset, my sleep is interrupted and my mood is... hangry. She said by day 5 I should start to lose my appetite, which will make it easier. I’ve noticed I associate physical hunger with something really, really awful.

But I was thinking... for those of you who have had surgery.... do you feel like 2 weeks on the liquid diet helped you better mentally prepare for life AFTER surgery in any way? I was thinking that might be another benefit to this preop diet... so that it’s not just one day having surgery and then BOOM not eating. Also... I mean... I get to see right now what it’s like to not have food to cope with life. As opposed to after surgery.

Oh, Yes!! It helped me. I found it to be SO much easier. I lost 10 lbs in those 2 weeks.

[NYJenn 1,461]

I remember having the dreaded headache and just being tired from lack of calories, but otherwise the 7 day liquid diet wasn’t that difficult. I felt empowered, like I was taking the next big step toward my surgery

[NagathaChristie 95]

My surgeon wants me to do a 3 week liquid diet pre-op. I am really dreading this. I do not have my surgery date yet. I do not know how I will get through the liquid diet but I am determined.

[New&Improved 1,780]

Tis why I've stocked up on Protein powders because I know I'll be living off liquids a while preop and post op so may as well get used to it before you actually have surgery then wake up and can't swallow anything but liquids anyway for a while

[PEGGO 107]

I started the pre-op diet 3 weeks ago , but then my surgery was cancelled at the last minute because of the extreme heat here, and my surgeon wanted me to carry on with it. So my surgery is now on 12th August .I was surprised at how easy I found it to do . Having said that, I think it was much easier than Ive heard on here. It sounds like most people have to do just liquids . Mine is 4 Slimfast and 2 cups of vegetables a day. Does anyone else do this ?

Anyone here from England ?