advice needed. 3 days before surgery!

**lillysmommy8910** · 05-19-2013 10:03 PM

hello,

I am having the sleeve done in 3days . I wanted to know if I should do a liquid diet the next few days or is it ok to still eat a few days before? also, I wanted to get some feedback on what I should expect when I wake up after the surgery. I am very very nervous about getting put to sleep and not knowing how different I am going to feel when I wake up. I also recently lost my job, and I wanted to know how long does anyone think I should wait to get a new one after having surgery?

Thanks for the help!

Cassandra

**lakegirl** · 05-19-2013 11:37 PM

Not sure where you are getting your surgery? buttt- you should definately be on a liquid diet for at least 8-10 days. Suprised your dr. did not cover this. It shrinks the liver so the dr can get at the stomach with ease. It is also a good start to get used to eating lighter too. Also as far as a job goes...that depends on what type of work you do? They say you'll be laid up for several weeks. If you do any kind of physical work then longer so you don't create a hernia. I'm really suprised that you don't have more information from your bariatric center. Are you all prepared with foods etc for when you return home? Have plenty of chicken broth and sugar free jello/pops, pudding, shakes, yogurt etc. YOu also will have to sleep in a recliner chair for awhile. Hope all goes well for you. Get Prepared!! I wish you all the best.

**smilez19135** · 05-20-2013 12:28 AM

Your dr. Will tell you if you need to go on a liquid diet every surgeon is different, my surgery isn't until October but my doctor said he could do it either way but its not mandatory even though I want to go on a liquid diet for a week myself.

**Michael Smalley** · 05-20-2013 12:51 AM

The surgeon should have briefed you on this well in advance. The pre-op diet varies from MD to MD. Some people have to do a liquid diet, some don't. I had to do two weeks of a low carb/high protein diet and ended up losing 16 lbs from that alone. I would recommend you call your surgeon and ask what they want.

**Ducky** · 05-20-2013 01:09 AM

Hi Cassandra.

Are you working with an MD in the US or going to Mexico? As the other commenters noted, most surgeons have provided instructions WAY before five days post-op, so it's a little concerning that no one has given you pre-op or post-op teaching. No judgment here, we just need to know where you're starting from.

**tealee** · 05-20-2013 02:22 AM

As for the food I think the same as above about the centre. As for the operation you will be fine. I just went straight out to it and no struggle anything. Just do what they say and relax think about all the people that have operations every day. Just make sure you get up as soon as you can to get rid of that gas. move move . You may not be in heaps of pain everyone is diffferent they make sure you are ok they dont like you in pain in hospital you cant heal.
hope this helps

**lillysmommy8910** · 05-20-2013 09:53 PM

I am having the gastric sleeve done in NY. she told me to do a 1200 calorie liquid and one meal diet of meat and veggie to try to lose a few more pounds. soi am hoping me eating is ok. I heard about the liver thing, so I hope I am ok cause they didn't tell me to do a pure liquid diet. im going to do all liquids tomorrow the day before surgery to hope that helps.

**Ducky** · 05-20-2013 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by lillysmommy8910

I am having the gastric sleeve done in NY. she told me to do a 1200 calorie liquid and one meal diet of meat and veggie to try to lose a few more pounds. soi am hoping me eating is ok. I heard about the liver thing, so I hope I am ok cause they didn't tell me to do a pure liquid diet. im going to do all liquids tomorrow the day before surgery to hope that helps.

That sounds a lot like my pre-op. 1000 calorie diet for 10 days, high protein and low carb. Breakfast and light lunch the day before, start bowel prep at 3pm, and clear liquids (lots) until midnight, then nothing by mouth until surgery. Other than the clears the night before, I did not have a liquid diet.

**Fly Girl Jen** · 05-20-2013 11:44 PM

My doc said that the caloric amount is the important part. He does have me on a liquid diet...maybe just his way of keeping the calories consumed low (very very low).