Can anyone give me the details on the pre-op diet that is to shrink the liver? I understand its purpose but I am curious as to what it involves and its duration.

I am new to this, but I am doing the pre op diet right now. It seems everyone is different by what I read on here. My doctor has me doing the pre op diet 2 weeks prior to surgery. I have 2 protein shakes and one meal. My meal consists of 4 oz of lean meat and 1 cup of green vegie with nothing on it. It does wonders though as I lost 16 pounds in 7 days. I drink 64 oz of water a day and sometimes have a cup of tea in the evening to comfort my belly. I did great and now the 2nd week of it is starting and I have had a hard time the last 2 days. I have not cheated or anything, but I couldn't get crazy foods out of my head. I am pretty confindent it is only because of my insurance approval that is still pending. Anxiety seems to make me want a pizza lol. Anyway good luck to you and I hope that was of some help.

That is helpful information because I will be travelling from out of state to the surgeon, I was going to make it a bit of a medical vacation. I planned on at least going out to dinner and sampling local cuisine maybe a day or two before surgery. Now that is obviously not a good idea. That's okay though because I am still moving forward with this.

started mine today,,,

here is a copy of what the nutritionist sent me.

1. Starting now: Go ahead and start a 1200calorie/day diet. Most of your food choices should come from lean Protein (lean red meat, grilled/baked fish, grilled/baked chicken breast, low fat cottage cheese, low fat string cheese, turkey breast, etc…), at least 1 cup of non-starchy vegetables every meal (ex. Broccoli, cauliflower, green Beans, zucchini, etc..), complex carbohydrates (beans, oatmeal, whole fruit, sweet potatoes, light popcorn), a small amount of healthy fats (olive oil, all natural Peanut Butter, plain almonds)…make sure and avoid any liquid calories and any foods high in sugar!

2. One week prior to surgery switch to the full liquid diet which consists of:

1. 2-3 high protein/low carbohydrate/high Fiber Meal Replacement shakes per day (example…slim fast low carb or Myoplex Light)

2. One meal that consists of any liquid type food such as:

Cream Soup (i.e. cream of chicken, cream of potato, cream of broccoli, etc…) that has been starined

Hot Cereal (cream of wheat, oatmeal, grits) that has had extra skim milk added to it and been blended until it is pourable

Yogurt (sugar free and no chunks of fruit) that has had extra skim milk added to it and thinned out

Tomato soup

Any Clear Liquid (see below)

And obviously plenty of Water

3. 2 days prior to surgery switch to Clear liquids which consist of:

On Sunday morning switch to a Clear liquid diet which consists of:

White Grape juice (no pulp)

White Apple Juice (no pulp)

broth (beef, vegetable,chicken)

Plenty of Water

Crystal Liqht

Gatorade (the G2 version)

coffee

Tea

High protein clear liquid supplement such as (Isopure or Designer whey Protein Blitz) *can get both at GNC

***MAKE SURE AND AVOID ANYTHING RED OR PURPLE ON THE CLEAR LIQUID DIET

***NOTHING BY MOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY. THIS INCLUDES: BREATH MINTS, GUM, HARD CANDY. YOU CAN BRUSH YOUR TEETH BUT ONLY USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER AND A TINY SPECK OF TOOTHPASTE AND MAKE SURE AND SPIT EVERYTHING OUT!

Check with your doctor, as the pre-op diets really vary a LOT. Some surgeons don't require any diet, or only for a few days. Mine was 2 weeks of shakes + 2 cups a veggies p/day that included at least 50 g protein, no more than 35g fat and 1,000 calories.

I haven't had to do it yet myself, but my father had himself banded back in April. His surgeon called for 10 days of a "liquid diet." It included 4 protein shakes (Atkins, Boost, or anything low in carbs), some cottage cheese, jello, broth, lots of water. He was able to shed 30 pounds in those 10 days and said he kept himself very busy!