Pre Op Diet - All liquid? Really?

**slimslen** · 07-02-2012 03:07 PM

So Im doing pretty well on my pre op diet. I started early since I knew I would cave the first few days. My official start date for preop is tomorrow. But Ive been doing decent since Friday - with one pizza blowout exception!

So Im wondering why this pre op diet has to be all liquid? I know the point is to reduce the liver size - but can't that be done on a very low carb type diet? Can I not eat even a salad for dinner? I really want to just have liquids during day and a salad for my dinner (with ranch, of course, but its low carb too!). Anyone know what the real catalyst is in reducing liver size? Is it cutting out solid food? Is it cutting out sugar? Carbs? This 2 weeks would be totally bearable if I could have a salad for dinner each night!

**star242** · 07-02-2012 03:15 PM

I did 2 week all liquid as per my surgeons orders, as unbelievable as it sounds, you can do it and you will have to do it after surgery. I'm glad I did, it helped jump start my weight loss, shrunk my liver to help the surgery go better, and psychologically prepared me for after surgery. If I was worried how I would survive on liquids alone after surgery as well as all the other bumps and pains of surgery I would have been much worse off.

**purplelace70** · 07-02-2012 03:21 PM

Ask your team if you can have a salad. Follow their decision, it is the start of a new life, and just a short part of the journey.

**Lisa S. Cooke** · 07-02-2012 03:25 PM

My pre-op diet is not all liquid! I get one solid food meal a day (meat, veg, fruit, carb) and 2 protein shakes and one protein bar. Not sure why some Doctors say all liquid pre-op. I have about 100 pounds to lose, don't know if your pre-op weight determines which diet you have to follow.

**rylynn** · 07-02-2012 03:38 PM

my pre-op diet was a low carb diet to reduce the size of your liver..i was only a liquid diet for 2 days prior to surgery to clean out my colon

**WorkInProgress** · 07-02-2012 03:46 PM

I had two weeks of liquid before the surgery. You can do it. Six months later it just seems like a distant memory! Sugar-free popsicles that was my salvation. Good luck!

**slimslen** · 07-02-2012 04:26 PM

Thank you for the replies! Im really wanting a salad or some type of real food for dinner. I have emailed my nutritionist who is affiliated with the surgical group so I guess I will go with her response. I need to lose 65 pounds to be at the weight that the charts say I should be at (165) but I want to lose 80 pounds to be at the weight i would LOVE to be at (150)!

**slimslen** · 07-03-2012 10:49 AM

I talked to dietician and she said that if i ABSOLUTELY HAD TO I could have a small salad with chicken and 1 tbsp of light dressing. But it is not recommended. Again - I don't understand that ALL LIQUID part!! She said it's supposed to be low fat, low carb, low cal and protein sparing diet. I can do that with solid food can't I? I still don't get it. Anyway - Im following all liquid right now and will use the salad for an emergency if I have to. But Im on day 1 of official 2 week liquid diet. I started 4 days early so Im not having many issues today but I still would like something solid! This long holiday weekend sitting around watching everyone eat chips and dip and bbq is gonna drive me over the edge Im pretty sure!! I can see a salad or 2 in my future!

**mobbsygirl** · 07-03-2012 10:57 AM

With my pre-op diet I am allowed 2 cups of non starchy vegetables per day so that makes it bearable. Not sure why yours is only liquid. My pre-op diet is for 4 weeks though

**merC** · 07-03-2012 12:48 PM

I am also doing all liquid diet. I can have sugar free jello and I found that if I use less water so that it is chewy, it satisfies my need to eat something solid a little better. WE CAN DO THIS!!! It is temporary!!!

**Lisa S. Cooke** · 07-03-2012 01:50 PM

My pre-op diet keeps me with one solid food meal a day right up to the night before surgery. I don't have to go all-liquid in the days prior to surgery. I asked my Doctor about this and he said if there was any food left in your stomach it would be in the bottom part that they remove and posed no risks. He said if I was concerned about this to just not eat meat at my final meal the night before surgery!

**slimslen** · 07-03-2012 02:49 PM

Good luck with your surgery!! I have decided that when I need solid food I will have egg whites with a little salt on them. It's amazing how full you feel after eating just 2 egg whites. I was really hungry not having had anything since 1130. I ate 2 egg whites and am drinking some crystal light and I feel fine! The diet for shrinking liver is supposed to be low fat, low cal, low carb and high protein. That's exactly what an egg white is!! I sure wish my surgery was today cuz making it through july 4th week/weekend is going to SUCK!!! I LOVE BBQ!!!!