My surgery is scheduled for 3/26. I have lots of questions. Many people mention being on a liquid diet prior to surgery. My doctor is asking for a high protein diet, but does not have to be liquid. Is that common? Also, will I be hungry while on the restricted liquid diet after surgery?

Every doctor is different, and every patient is different. My doctor just wanted me to lose 5% of my body weight prior to surgery, and didn't require a liquid diet as long as I could lose the weight some other way (I used Atkins.)

I wasn't hungry for about two weeks after surgery. I started wanting more to eat in the third week, but it was more boredom with the liquids rather than real hunger. Some people do complain about hunger in the liquid phase.

I was eventually hungry after surgery. But now it's all been worth it!

Good luck and great health to you.

I think most docs recommend the liquid diets because they cause rapid weight loss, which helps shrink the liver before surgery. Mine didn't care how I did it, he just wanted me to try to lose 10 lbs. They had the liquid diet available if I wanted it.

After surgery, I can't remember -- I think I wasn't hungry much at all because of the swelling. Hunger hit full force sometime after the 3rd or 4th week, when I switched to solid foods but before I was allowed to get a fill.

I am beingbanded on 4/7. I am diabetic and take insulin as well as medication. Has anyone been diabetic taking insulin and not needing insulin right after surgery? Also when you are on clear liquids are they all sugar free? I am concerned about that being a diabetic.

A high protein diet will shrink the liver so you should be fine. As far as being hungry after surgery everyone is different. You can have anything that fits through a straw when you are on the liquid phase. That being said, creamy soups really helped me when I was hungry. They have protein in them because they are typically made with milk. Liquid protein is very important during that time so make sure you have a high quality liquid protein shake available to you. Good luck.