My surgery center has a nearly all liquid liver-shrinking diet for 14 days, but it is causing me the worst chapped lips. I've been drinking 82 - 124 oz of water and it's getting worse. Has anyone else experienced ultra dry skin & lips during the pre-op diet?

Diet :

Water - 48 oz. minimum

Breakfast - 30 g protein shake <5 carbs

Lunch - 30 g protein shake <5 carbs

Dinner - light meal: 3-6 oz lean protein, <30 carbs, non-starchy vegetable, 2 servings of healthy fat spread throughout day

non-starchy vegetables are unlimited throughout the day.

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Not quite the same, but EVERY time I drink a protein shake my lips are weird and kind of dry afterwards. Almost like they are pealing from sunburn or something. It is very strange. I am 9 months post op and drink a shake every morning for breakfast and I always have to like rub my lips with a napkin and apply chap stick afterwards and then they are fine for the day.

It is so strange and I just thought I was weird so never mentioned it. haha

I didn't get chapped lips but did get that feeling in the lips after having the caramel protein from premier. Also, the shakes made my mouth feel really drink and I need it to drink colder water to quench my thirst and I have also been room temp water.

It's probably the lack of fats in your diet...which will continue after surgery for a while. Invest in some good, moisturizing lip balm (I'm partial to Aquaphor because it comes in a big tube and isn't scented/flavored, so I'm less likely to lick it off).

2 hours ago, pintsizedmallrat said:

It's probably the lack of fats in your diet...which will continue after surgery for a while. Invest in some good, moisturizing lip balm (I'm partial to Aquaphor because it comes in a big tube and isn't scented/flavored, so I'm less likely to lick it off).

Not sure about this one? Unlike most of the rest of your skin, your lips have no oil glands, meaning they don't rely on sebum for lubrication.

I do think there could be something to the comments above related to protein drinks, especially if you find yourself licking your lips more. (Excess saliva can actually cause chapped lips.) In addition, this could also be due to nutrient deficiencies. If you're not currently taking a multivitamin, a lack of B vitamins can lead to dry, chapped lips.

It's probably the lack of fats in your diet...which will continue after surgery for a while. Invest in some good, moisturizing lip balm (I'm partial to Aquaphor because it comes in a big tube and isn't scented/flavored, so I'm less likely to lick it off).

Thank you! I kept wondering how dry they could be with drinking all of that water. I have aquaphor on hand but have never used it on my lips. I will give it a try.

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Thank you all for your feedback. I have noticed that they are more excessively dry after drinking a premier protein for breakfast and lunch. They are a tad chalky and it makes sense they would try out my lips.

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I think it’s the minerals…just a guess.

I always swish some water in my mouth after the premiers to get that chalky aftertaste out.

Like someone else said, the caramel seem the best for not having that effect.