What is more important on the pre-op diet? The amount of weight lost or sticking to the liquids. I am 7 days in and 7 to go and I am down 17.5 lbs. I have have a few bites of food and now I am regretting it, worried about the surgery. Please put my mind at ease!!

I start my pre-op diet in a 2 weeks. My diet is 1,000 calories a day for 10 days (for my BMI). However, I do it, just 1,000 calories. He suggests a protien drink for breakfast and lunch and lite dinner. Low carb/low fat/high protein.

ronnie

The reason for the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. A few bites of food isn't going to wreck the day. If you've restricted yourself from fatty foods you're doing a great job!

Shrinking the liver is the number one goal and if you've been mostly on liquids (which it sounds like you have) you're doing great!

Congratulations on the 17.5 - wow! You go girl!

I didn't even have a pre op diet and my surgery went so well, I call it a "nothing surgery." I think the doctor just wants you to shrink the fat around you liver to make it eaiser for himself.

And if it's easier on the surgeon, it's easier on you

I didn't even have a pre op diet and my surgery went so well, I call it a "nothing surgery." I think the doctor just wants you to shrink the fat around you liver to make it eaiser for himself.

According to my surgeon, it's the weight loss. He requires a 5% weight loss prior to surgery, and suggests liquids if you are doing it for only a week or two, or lean cuisines for 3 weeks, or Atkins if you have time to diet longer. As long as you lose the weight, he doesn't much care how.

I didn't even have a pre op diet and my surgery went so well, I call it a "nothing surgery." I think the doctor just wants you to shrink the fat around you liver to make it eaiser for himself.

My surgeon said it's because the instrument they use to insert the lapband isn't that big and isn't that strong. If you have a big, heavy liver in the way, they can't lift it with the little instrument. He said he has many times not been able to do the surgery because he gets in there and the liver is too big/heavy. They have to reschedule the surgery until the patient shrinks down their liver.

I had my surgical consult on Wed and the surgeon advised that the pre-op diet is designed to reduce the size of your liver prior to surgery, so that it is more manageable during surgery. The goal is not to lose weight, that's a bonus. My surgeon will be putting me on 4 Optifast shakes per day and non-starch veggies for snacking. That's it! So 900 calories plus veggies...I am bound to lose weight pre-op.

Good luck! Cathy

What is your BMI/weight, if I may ask? Did your dr just not put you on a preop diet? look forward to your reply.

coltorismom