Hi All,

I new to the forum and this is my first message of any sorts on this site. I am getting ready to have Gastric Bypass procedure on Oct 2 and I am currently on 4 week liquid diet. I have completed 1 week and 3 days of the 4 week diet so far. My questions for you all :-

1. Is eating pickle slices or cucumber slices considered cheating? I am asking this as the protein shakes I am taking are super sweet because of the artificial sweeteners.

2. Can I have tomato soup or tomato based broth ? In my pre-op instruction it doesn't mention anything related to it.

3. Will my doctor know that If I cheated with a pickle slices or 4-5 mini pretzels ?

I need all the advice and help... I am crossed over that stage of not having food is fine... but I just want to chew on something that is not sweet and not protein until I am in the mush stage.

Thank you all in Advance.

clinics really vary on this, so it's probably best to check with yours. Some don't even require pre-op diets - just a 24-hour clear liquid fast before surgery.

ours allowed broth - but I think just chicken broth. They now allow pickles, but they didn't when I went through the program eight years ago. We were just allowed 4-5 protein shakes a day, plus a cup of broth and/or a cup of V8/tomato juice, plus unlimited zero (or close to it) calorie fluids, sugar free popsicles, and sugar free Jello

Edited September 13, 20232 yr by catwoman7

Before surgery,I was supposed to be on a total liquid diet. I misunderstood and thought I could have some solid food as long as it was under 500 cal. a day . I thought it was supposed to be "MOSTLY" liquid . I still lost 8 pounds and everything was okay. I ate a couple shrimp , a bite of chicken, a bite of this and a bite of that. After surgery,I asked if my liver was soft enough and it was. I don't think that little bit of solid foods made a difference.

From what I understand the main reason for the pre-op diet (aside from the 24 hours or night before surgery diet) is to shrink your liver, or rather to get rid of the fat around your liver to make it easier to operate. IDK if they showed you a diagram of what's going on inside of your abdomen, but your liver and any fat around it is basically in the way of where the surgeon needs to go.

With that being said, based on your profile stats, I do not think sneaking the pickles or a "few" pretzels will make a difference. I think you will still lose enough around your liver with the calorie deficit. However, please be honest and aware with yourself, regarding how much you really are sneaking. Also, do not sneak food during the time right before surgery, your surgery could get canceled over that because you could aspirate on the food during surgery.

Maybe see if you can find a more savory-flavored protein shake, I have a coffee-flavored one I enjoy. Also, call your team and get some clarification on the tomato soup and ask them for some suggestions, like can you have sugar-free jello. You may also try some chicken or beef broth, as those are not sweet at all and are relatively inexpensive.

You got this, one day at a time.

A second the advice to check with your team. Some brands of protein shakes also have protein soups/broths so they may allow you to include those each day. Fingers crossed.

I was told total liquid diet, that meant nothing you can chew, with no bits or pieces whatsoever. Even soups can't have pieces. So, think of it like baby foods, the first stage and 2nd stage. But to be sure, ask your medical team. Good luck