Are posts that refer to "pre-op diet" talking about the plan over the months while you wait for your date for surgery? Or does this refer to the plan that is in place for maybe the week immediately before the surgery?

I think it can be either or both, so you'd probably want/need to clarify if unsure in a specific post.

My insurance requires a 6 month physician supervised diet and exercise plan. So that is, of course, pre-op. Some people might call that a pre-op diet in that it's pre-op and a diet. LOL

I think most of the time, it seems people are taking about the more restrictive eating sanctions that are imposed for 1-2 weeks prior to surgery. For many, it's a liquid diet but also can be a low-carb or a low-calorie. Surgeons seem to vary greatly on this.

Linda:

Things do seem to be widely varied. The doc who would be doing my surgery said that he wants a 10 pound weight loss in the month prior to surgery but how you want to do that is up to you and would even vary according to how well you have done in the previous months. For instance, your stats show you are doing great on the pre-surgery diet so he might expect less than 10 pounds from you in that month since you are doing well at consistently lowering your weight.

Based on my personality I wish things were a little more cut and dry on the process of this surgery. For such a big decision it feels like a lot of the process is wishy washy. At least so far.

I didn't have a "preop" diet for my insurance (that thing for 6 months or whatever to "prove" you're serious etc). I HAD a 3 week preop diet from my surgeon to shrink my liver, AND I had a 24 hour "preop" diet before the surgery that was just liquids and included mag citrate to clear out my innards and prep me. So my 2 preop diets were to achieve different goals. I agree you have to take it in context.

It may seem wishy washy if you compare yourself to everyone else....my surgeon though has specific things he wants us to do that may or may not be like what others are told. For example my surgeon is adamant about "no snacks". Not all are like that. My surgeon also is pretty strict about following the preop diet; not all are. Just do what your surgeon tells you if you trust him/her; if you don't, find another surgeon!

My pre-op diet was right before my surgery. It was supposed to be for 3 weeks but it ended up being for 4. I had to have a protein shake (Atkins Advantage was my choice) for breakfast and lunch and then I could have protein and veggies for dinner. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. As others have said, the pre-op diets vary greatly. Just do what your surgeon tells you to do and you should be fine. Good luck. Becky

My doctor requires a 2 week pre-op low carb diet but since I am so heavy stated that it wouldn't hurt for me to start it now. My insurance is apparently one that is quick to approve so figures I will be on it about a month total. That was Wednesday. So I started it this morning. Went cold turkey no caffeine per my surgeon too. Needless to say I am not a pleasant person to be around today. I think the diet is around 1100-1200 calories. Doesn't feel like much at all. It better seriously shrink my liver. I just keep reminding myself it is all worth it!:smile: