liquid diet mandatory ?????

[Risty]

Ok so after visiting with my surgeon got all my scrips ill need post surgery and my diet plan and all that kinda stuff he said it unnecessary to do a pre liquid diet since ive been off carbs and starches for about 4 months for the most part ( the occasional slice of pizza or a piece of bread here and there or maybe some soup with a bit of rice in it ) but i decided that i was going to start next friday ( 3 days before my surgery date (4/22/13)) on a liquid diet anyway .. i dont feel the need to have the " last supper " kinda thing i dont wanna set myself back even 1/4 of a lb im on a one way track to losing and im not looking back or setting myself up to fail...( once i have something " not good for me " that will make me crave it )

my question to you is.. why do some docs put people on a 3 day to a week liquid diet i have even hear done some needing a 2 week liquid .. my doc said its mostly for the shrinking of the liver before the procedure but is there another reason im missing since most of what i read it seems to be mandatory?

[Bilby]

My surgeon requests clear fluids for the day before surgery only

[JennHug]

Every surgeon is different. From my research and talking with different docs, I learned that the reason for the liquid diet is to shrink the liver, which sits over the stomach and to the right side a bit. If the liver is too fat, surgeons run the risk of puncturing it during operating procedures. That would NOT be a good thing for the patient. Its safer to have the liver as small as possible. The other reason for the liquid diet is to empty out the intestines in case there is a puncture or tear or issue with the hernia repair. Germs could be turned loose inside the body, then you'd have a whole new set of dangerous problems. Thats what I learned. It is researchable. Best wishes!!

[queen]

my dr said liquid diet for the day before because they want the stomach in a relaxed state, not stretched at all. he does have patients that are heavier that need to shrink liver, lose weight...and other reasons.
good luck!

[shingi]

My doctor only required 1 day liquid diet.

[Survivor]

I only had to do a clear liquid diet the day before. Two weeks before I was on a low carb diet.

[aboutime4me]

All I know is that my surgeon doesn't require his patients to do any kind of pre op liquid diet. I just had to have my main meal at noon the day before surgery and something lighter for the evening and nothing after 10 pm. There was no other special preparation either. I did just great....am down 94.4 lbs right now and just 3 lbs from my goal, closing in on my 1 yr surgiversary.
I've read where the liver does not shrink all that much really, but if it helps some people and gives a greater sense of mental security and reassurance, that's ok. Each dr. is different in the way they do things.
I had no stitches to be removed...they used glue and I had that adhesive stuff that just came off on its own after a few weeks.
I had no drain...
I had no pre op kind of bowel preparation either....which I was so glad about!
I didn't have to undergo a "leak" test...
I had NO gas pains either at all after surgery...

My surgeon was the best and I thank God for him, the surgery team and my sleeve! Good luck to you and keep us posted.

[abequa2000]

shrinking of the liver before the procedure.I had the liquid diet for 2 weeks sugar free carnation mixed with 1% milk and 4 tablespoons dry milk,could have cottage cheese and yogurt some sugar free jello and pudding so it wasn too bad

[Jeanie]

I had a heavy protein diet for 10 days then liquid the day before surgery. Could eat skinless chicken and salad. To shrink the liver is what I was told!