pre op diet before getting the sleeve

**SUSIE1237** · 10-07-2012 09:58 PM

I heard that the pre op diet is brutal. What does it consist of and how long are you on it before surgery? Thanks Susan

**Peach** · 10-07-2012 10:31 PM

Hi Susie,,

I'm on the second week of the pre op diet,,,and tomorrow starts the third,,,and final week ,,,, I am one week away ...tomorrow I start the last week ,, which is supposed to be the hardest,,, each week something else gets taken away .... its not so bad,,,, stock up on sugar free jello and sugar free coffee creamers,,, that way you don't feel completely deprived,,, and protein shakes,,,, are a life saver,, if you drink them cold and slow .

i'm annoyed that I only lost 11 pounds,,, so far,,, but its better than nothing ,,,, eat slowly ,,,, drink a lot ,,,, you have to be committed to this ,,, and realize that in addition to the pre op diet shrinking your liver,,, you are also getting in the habit of eating small meals ,,, and high protein ,,,

I miss my energy shots,,,,, that's about all .... the outcome will all be worth it . good luck ,,, i hope this helps !!!

**lisa2job** · 10-07-2012 10:59 PM

Every Surgeon is different, I was only on a two week pre op diet, my surgeon allowed me to have one small meal like a lien cuisine under 200 calories and 2 to 3 protien shakes .... my calories needed to be under 800 a day. I was also allowed SF pudding, jello, popsicles and broth.. two days before surgery I was clear liquids only ... After surgery was definately harder to me than before surgery.... Also My surgeon would not do surgery unless I lost at least 30 lbs prior to surgery ... I have 3 friends whom went to different surgeons and we all had different pre op diets . mine was probably the easiest.

Note I also started cutting back my portions, carbs, coffee & soda 6 months before surgery.... I quit coffee , soda 2 months prior and smoking 30 days prior
If you try to cold turkey everything at once its gonna be really hard

**ArizonaRN** · 10-08-2012 12:02 AM

Every surgeon is very different. My surgeon did not do a pre op diet. Just clear liquids the day before surgery. I did start cutting stuff out though that I couldn't have after surgery like Lisa did (caffeine, soda, bread, etc) and started cutting back my portions. I also started replacing breakfast with a protein shake. That way I could try different once and see what I liked and what I didn't.

**niamh** · 10-08-2012 01:49 AM

I was on a pre-op diet for 2 weeks, low-cal (under 1000cal) and low-fat. Seems like it's very different for different surgeons.

I found it easier to do than usual diet because (a) I knew it was only two weeks, I can do all sorts of unpleasant things if it's only 2 weeks, (b) I knew it reduced the chances of difficulties during surgery by shrinking my liver and I wanted to give myself the best chance of an easy surgery, and (c) it would mean less weight to lose post-surgery.

Psychologically, it was nothing like dieting under usual circumstances.

The night before I started the pre-op diet, I did cook myself my favourite - roast chicken, and also have some chocolate. Then, badabing badaboom, woke up the next morning and straight onto the strict diet for 2 weeks.

**B-rizzle** · 10-09-2012 05:00 PM

Depends on the doc.. My pre op diet was to not eat after 9pm the day before my surgery.. That was it.

**Its_Me** · 10-09-2012 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by KailaRN

Every surgeon is very different. My surgeon did not do a pre op diet. Just clear liquids the day before surgery. I did start cutting stuff out though that I couldn't have after surgery like Lisa did (caffeine, soda, bread, etc) and started cutting back my portions. I also started replacing breakfast with a protein shake. That way I could try different once and see what I liked and what I didn't.

This is mea as well,no pre-op diet required, he just said try to lose 10 lbs. but like you, I started cutting things out last month and replaceing breakfast with a protein shake. I will prob do a stricter diet one week out so I know I make it to 10 (I'm at 8 now), the more the better.

**ArizonaRN** · 10-09-2012 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Its_Me

This is mea as well,no pre-op diet required, he just said try to lose 10 lbs. but like you, I started cutting things out last month and replaceing breakfast with a protein shake. I will prob do a stricter diet one week out so I know I make it to 10 (I'm at 8 now), the more the better.

Good for you! I was able to lose 10lbs pre-op doing this. The week before surgery I up'd it to two protein shakes (breakfast and lunch). The day before surgery being all liquid (clears) I lost another two pounds. I am sure you will hit it no problem. Congrats, your almost to your surgery date!

**tinman** · 10-11-2012 02:57 PM

Pre op diet was for 1 week and was lean protein and clear liquids the last three days. I lost 13 pounds that week and have lost 80 total since my surgery date.

Good luck and I hope do well...

**Dasani** · 10-11-2012 03:19 PM

It really is quite surprising how different it is between surgeons/doctors. Personally I was on a 1 week liquid Pre op diet. The first two days were the hardest, but by the third day (between the 3 protein shakes a day which equaled to about 60g of protein in total and the Special K Protein Water to drink in-between shakes) I was feeling pretty okay. If you've ever tried the "Atkin's Diet," it's kind of like that in the sense that on the third day, things start to look back up and your cravings start dissipating. My only suggestion is not to cheat, no matter how much you want to...having that nauseous, starving feeling is terrible. Instead, when you feel as if you're going to give in and cheat, find something to distract yourself with that you enjoy. I went swimming, took my dog for a walk, or read one of my favorite books. It truly did help me cope with the lack of my comfort food.