Started my liquid diet a month early im wanting to shrink my liver a little more before surgery my surgery date is June 3 having sleeve what do anyone think about starting early your pre -op diet ??? My doctor just ask 2 week before surgery

I get my surgery May 19th and have to do the pre op diet for 11 days before. I cannot imagine doing mine for an entire month as it only includes 4 protein shakes a day and 4, 1 cup servings of non starchy veggies. Now I've seen other pre op diets consist of 2 shakes a day, one for breakfast and one for lunch, then a lean protein (meat) and veggies for dinner. I can see that being doable. So I guess it depends.

What I've been doing since March 1st to prepare, and to get used to eating better in general, is just eating low carb/no sugar diet staying between 1000 and 1500 calories a day (dietician approved) then will do my pre op as prescribed.

two weeks was torture enough - i wouldn't have wanted it to go on any longer than it did. I was so relieved the morning of surgery because that stupid diet was OVER!!! (granted, most of us are on liquids only for a week or two AFTER surgery, too, but that's totally different...)

Hello!

I had a 5 week liquid diet. I believe a number of Canadian programs have a specific 4-6 week liquid diet. I say this knowing that many other programs have a 2 week liquid diet that is low carb...and people typically use premier protein. I was allowed no actual food.

I was to use 'meal replacements' (ie Boost or Ensure)...5x a day. I could also have 1 cup of chicken broth. For 5 weeks...nothing but 80g of Corn Syrup a day (Sorry I'm a little bitter about it still!!). PLUS...most programs have a liquid diet after (clear, then full fluids)...so you're looking at 6 weeks of liquids if you start early.

Honestly...I would try and scale down some food and give yourself a calorie limit and try and stay within in. Personally...I would have liked to have had at least vegetables while I was on it (I had a lot of bathroom issues). I am not sure exactly how much 'extra shrinkage' you are looking for with your liver...if 2 weeks are all that are required I wouldn't torture myself longer than necessary, IMO.

Wow, that is a long time to do the pre-op! My surgery is May 12th, and I started the pre-op "liquid" diet today (I am allowed 4oz chicken or turkey and non-starchy vegetables 1x per day), but have been eliminating sugar and carbs and eating mostly protein and vegetables for the past couple weeks so I'd be more prepared for the liquid only. The torture for me is doing without coffee, which has been a staple in the mornings for years!

I'm on day 7 of liquid diet and celebrating that I am half way through it. I can't imagine voluntarily extending how long I am on this diet!

Starting my pre op diet tomorrow. ?? It will be 5 protein shakes and 1 meal consisting of 2 ozs of protein and 1 cup of green vegetables. ?

Good luck to all!

Don't do this to yourself. You will be on liquids for weeks after the surgery too. Your body will start craving tasting real food. This is just torturing yourself for no reason.

Hi Mary. We are surgery twins! I'm scheduled for June 3 as well! I'm absolutely going to try to do pre-op for longer. Mostly I'm cutting way back on fat and carbs now, then in a week, do protein shakes for breakfast, lunch and snack with salad and lean protein for dinner. Similar to the Medifast diet I did a few years ago. Will have the protein soups and oatmeal along with the shakes, until the final week when it's all liquid.

I just really want to make sure my liver shrinks enough. I'm afraid of getting on the operating table and having them say it's still too fatty.

I had to do mine for 14 days, and I am on Day 10. I honestly can’t imagine doing this longer. I have lost 15lbs—so it works if you stick to it! Good Luck!

I did the liver shrink diet for 14 days (mine allowed low carb food) and liquid only for two days. That was tough enough and I lost 14 pounds with a lower starting BMI so two weeks is really enough as long as you stick to it.

I am scheduled for surgery on May 19th and have started the 3 week liquid only diet that my surgeon required due to my BMI being higher. I am on day 2 and am already over it! I just know that it will be worth it but I can’t imagine doing this one day more then I have too.

My surgery is May 10th. Just started pre op diet. I'm starving!!!

Don’t do it lol 2 weeks was killer, i wouldn’t have done it that long if I didn’t have too. I had 40 BMI and lost 15 lbs in just those two weeks. Doctor said surgery went perfectly!

11 hours ago, mandya84 said:

I am scheduled for surgery on May 19th and have started the 3 week liquid only diet that my surgeon required due to my BMI being higher. I am on day 2 and am already over it! I just know that it will be worth it but I can’t imagine doing this one day more then I have too.

I felt that way too, 2 days in. I'm on day 5 today and feeling much better. I think it takes that long to go into ketosis and that's when the hunger and fogginess and cravings start to subside. I'm with you, though. I only want to do what is essential and no more. Over time, our bodies need more than liquid.

Wishing you all the best!

1 hour ago, pk88 said:

I felt that way too, 2 days in. I'm on day 5 today and feeling much better. I think it takes that long to go into ketosis and that's when the hunger and fogginess and cravings start to subside. I'm with you, though. I only want to do what is essential and no more. Over time, our bodies need more than liquid.

Wishing you all the best!

That’s really good to know! I woke up today for day 3 feeling horrible. Monster headache, upset stomach, mind fog, and I just want to sleep. I’m hoping this goes away.