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

NO pre-op Liquid Diet...Anyone else?



Recommended Posts

Unlike many others that I have seen on this forum, my doctor is not requiring that I do a liquid diet pre-surgery. I don't have any questions or concerns for this doctor, as he is pretty renowned in New Jersey and Connecticut.

But has anyone else had this experience? I still plan on taking it easy, beginning two weeks prior. My liquid diet will not begin until post-op.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So you are doing a liquid diet the week or so prior to surgery are you not? That was all my surgeon required and today is day 1 of my pre op liquid diet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon does a liver reduction diet, no carbs and low calorie. I don't remember the specifics but it was not sheerly liquids until the bowel prep 2 days before.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They're all different. Best to do what the surgeon likes best...since he/she is the one doing the cutting. Sometimes a doctor will look at your blood work and the amount of weight you're losing and figure your liver is doing ok. Sometimes they're using tighter instruments and need all the space they can get. Sometimes it's a judgement call, and your doctor is the best person to make it. My doc did a hellishly strict two week liquid diet and I followed it to the letter cause it was what made surgery the safest/easiest/best for him to do. Other folks have good luck with reduced carbs, skim milk diets, calorie resticted and no diet at all. Listen to your surgeon. That's the only person whose opinion matters on this one. Following presurgical instructions is important for your safety.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, JazzyJess20 said:

Unlike many others that I have seen on this forum, my doctor is not requiring that I do a liquid diet pre-surgery. I don't have any questions or concerns for this doctor, as he is pretty renowned in New Jersey and Connecticut.

But has anyone else had this experience? I still plan on taking it easy, beginning two weeks prior. My liquid diet will not begin until post-op.

I did not have to do anything prior to surgery, other than stop drinking diet coke.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My cousin had a bypass at the same time I had my sleeve. When I asked him how he was finding the pre-surgery liquid diet, he had no idea what I was talking about. He went to Benihana's the day before his surgery, LOL. Different doctors take different approaches.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Tim C said:

So you are doing a liquid diet the week or so prior to surgery are you not? That was all my surgeon required and today is day 1 of my pre op liquid diet.

No. I plan on definitely being more mindful of what I'm consuming 2 weeks before, but my doctor has made clear that an all liquid, pre-op diet is not necessary. However, I was told to have a "light" Breakfast and dinner on the day before.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow...You are having Gastric Sleeve surgery? You wouldn't think you should have food in your stomach. I am learning a lot on here. First I have heard of anything like this.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes I was surprised by this too. I am getting the Gastric Sleeve.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I only had to do a liquid diet for 24 hours before surgery and then consume nothing the 8 hours directly before it. For the week before surgery I did a low fat diet to shrink the liver. I had a lot of grilled chicken and fish and some bean or veggie Soups.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Same here however I would recommend at least trying a few Protein Shakes to find out what ones taste best to you. That could change post op but at least you would know ahead of time.

It wouldn't hurt to try and eat better pre op just so your liver is in optimal condition for surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am also in NJ and I did not have to do any pre-op diet. I finished my 2 week Clear Liquids and am now on pureed foods. I wonder if we are using the same surgeon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in NJ. I just had mine last week on about to go into phase two tomorrow. I did not have to do a pre liquid diet except for clear liquids a day before surgery. Literally the week prior I stuffed and ordered out everyday foods I knew I wouldn’t be able to ever consider eating n I even lost 5 pounds preop I don’t know how lol because all I ate was Pasta and fried food 🤷🏽‍♀️ but it all depends on your surgeon. I wouldn’t personally eat the day prior it helped during surgery in my opinion but other than that it worked for me to eat prior to that. Good luck !! First week stressfull though but you can get through it

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

(Successful & Extremely Happy VSG Patient) Like most have said, go with what your surgeon suggests... I am clearly not a surgeon -*HOWEVER*- I will share my real life experience. I may be a bit bias, however I believe I had/have one one of THE BEST SURGEONS in the industry (Dr. Joseph Green, Maryland Bariactrics). My Dr. did prescribe a pre-op liquid diet which not only helped clear my gastro-intestinal tracts, but also help reduce the size of my liver. Fatty liver is a common co-morbidity many of us may have going into surgery and an enlarged liver may complicate surgery, by extending across your abdominal cavity, obstructing access to the stomach as well as diaphragm if hernia repair is also required (I had both hiatal and umbilical hernia repair). Apparently by surgery time I had remarkably small, smooth and healthy looking liver (never thought I would brag about that - even got a photo! ;-). I am convinced this detailed preparation and measures were key to my success.

On the contrary - I had a colleague who also had VSG and their surgeon's office said "enjoy it while you can" and only required them to fast the night before surgery. Their overall surgery did not turn out as un-eventful and ended up with months of additional procedures and recovery.

Anywho, hope this helps. I would ask if liver reduction is a concern and a liquid diet would definitely help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info. My blood work says my liver is spectacular which is surprising actually. I am following my surgeons advice and trust him. I have heard from alot of folks about this issue. I am good to go and ready for the challenge. I wish I had been able to do this back on 12/16 when originlly scheduled...I would already be thinner. I hope to lose 100# in 9 months. That is my personal goal and I believe is doable.

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?
      · 3 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..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • 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

    ×