I have my surgery scheduled for December 5. I see a lot of folks who are similarly scheduled are on liquid diets but my surgeon only has me on one two days before surgery- is this normal?

Yes its normal. Its all based on your weight, height. SOme are only on it for 1 week. some 2 weeks some more than a month for the bigger people. and some only 1 day before. Consider yourself VERY LUCKY. I did 2 weeks and it was hell lol

Let me also add. You can start earlier if you want. It will help you out a lot too. getting use to being on liquids only for a while after surgery.

Met with the surgeon for the final time prior to surgery on Dec 5th.I start liquid diet 10 days prior. SO I will be enjoying a small slice of pecan pie in Thursday. The liquid side consists of a combination of soups (tomato & cream of types) thinned. Broth , protein shakes, assorted sugar free jellos (like the green), popsicles, pudding and yogurts and such. The only admonishment is clear liquids the day before surgery. It will be the same diet after surgery until advised to proceed to the next step. Obviously this is my teams directions, Your team will probably have their own requirements. Best bet is to follow them. After all, that's why we're paying them the big bucks.

Good luck to all

13 hours ago, liveaboard15 said:

Yes its normal. Its all based on your weight, height. SOme are only on it for 1 week. some 2 weeks some more than a month for the bigger people. and some only 1 day before. Consider yourself VERY LUCKY. I did 2 weeks and it was hell lol

I am on day 8 of 14 on the liquid diet and yes it sucks!! I got the point that i cannot stomach the sweet protein shakes. I had my seminar today at the weight loss center, they suggested i get Isopure unflavored protein. I ran out and got it right after the seminar, I am going to survive this, whew that was close, just thought of the sweetness made me sick. I had some of the unflavored protein in unsweet tea and it was great!!

Yes, it is quite normal - some don't do a liquid diet pre-op diet at all, preferring just low carb and/or fat, calorie restrictions, or no dieting at all - we didn't have any restrictions until the usual day before general surgery thing. A big YMMV thing.

While I wouldn't go overboard on starting a liquid diet early, transitioning to more protein drinks and the like to get used to them and find your preferences is certainly useful. I don't find the getting used to post op idea all that compelling, as you likely won't feel like having much else other than liquids, but some programs go overboard on the back end with extensive liquid dieting post op, so for them, it might be useful. Our program had liquids in it, but transitioned us as we could tolerate thicker and more solid foods, with their findings that their patients tended to do better as they moved into more real food. But programs vary widely, so go with their instructions.

They had us begin replacing one meal with protein shake, create protein focused meals and limit our carb serving to half a cup whole grains a day, when I started the process. I am a born rule follower so I was approved to surgery after my first month on this but the nutritionist gave me the impression she doesn’t clear people for surgery until she’s confident they are following it. Maybe that’s in part why they didn’t do they liquid dirt either.

6 hours ago, smc124 said:

They had us begin replacing one meal with Protein Shake, create Protein focused meals and limit our carb serving to half a cup whole grains a day, when I started the process. I am a born rule follower so I was approved to surgery after my first month on this but the nutritionist gave me the impression she doesn’t clear people for surgery until she’s confident they are following it. Maybe that’s in part why they didn’t do they liquid dirt either.

I had a similar experience. Lost all the weight I had to & more, followed all the rules, kept up w the weight loss in between appointments & only had to do 2 full days of the liquid diet. Following the rules pays off!

On 11/22/2022 at 6:08 AM, liveaboard15 said:

Yes its normal. Its all based on your weight, height. SOme are only on it for 1 week. some 2 weeks some more than a month for the bigger people. and some only 1 day before. Consider yourself VERY LUCKY. I did 2 weeks and it was hell lol

I have been on the two week liquid diet since Nov 14th surgery is the 28th and I agree its hell. Not so much because of the no food, i have adjusted to that pretty much but he sweetness of the shakes geez, i couldn't do it anymore so i go the unflavored protein powder and am just mixing it with water. I cannot do another sweet shake ughhhh. I m so grateful surgery date is in two days.

15 hours ago, Merri Beth said:

I have been on the two week liquid diet since Nov 14th surgery is the 28th and I agree its hell. Not so much because of the no food, i have adjusted to that pretty much but he sweetness of the shakes geez, i couldn't do it anymore so i go the unflavored Protein Powder and am just mixing it with Water. I cannot do another sweet shake ughhhh. I m so grateful surgery date is in two days.

Update-Surgery was pushed until the 29th. I know its only one day but it seems so long LOL

Every doctor is different and sometimes it varies from patient to patient as well. I would count yourself lucky like others have said. The pre op liquid diet is not fun. If your doctor doesn’t think you need it though you should be fine.

16 hours ago, Merri Beth said:

I have been on the two week liquid diet since Nov 14th surgery is the 28th and I agree its hell. Not so much because of the no food, i have adjusted to that pretty much but he sweetness of the shakes geez, i couldn't do it anymore so i go the unflavored Protein Powder and am just mixing it with Water. I cannot do another sweet shake ughhhh. I m so grateful surgery date is in two days.

Have you tried the clear protein drinks. I found them to be a little less sweet. They haze them in so many brands. I did the premiere protein ones from Amazon. But since you are pressed for time I would try convenience stores and pick up a few to try.

Edited November 28, 20223 yr by ShoppGirl