The purpose of the Pre-Op diet?

[Emstar]

I was just wondering how strict I need to be with my pre-op diet, I started yesterday and I'm supposed to be having 2 shakes and a salad with protein for dinner however I'm STARVING! lol I don't want to eat any bad stuff I just want to know if I can have a little bit more good stuff? Is the pre-op diet supposed to just make us start losing weight or is there something special about drinking shakes and eating salad and protein? I understand they want us to shrink our livers but is this exact diet the only way to do that? I'd die for some fruit right now!

[Kathy Mather]

The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver before surgery. You should follow your doctors guidelines. Are you allowed any sugar free items? If you are really struggling call your doctor and find out if you can have something more. Good luck, you will love your sleeve.

[Think]

Fruit is full of carbs... so doesnt sound like the best choice but see if you can have a bite or two of unsweetened applesauce to quench your craving. Or even a sip of diluted apple juice.

I started my pre-op today... its full liquids (for 4 days, and then clear for 3 days) so thinking about tomorrow I might want a salad and some protein!! But I can have cottage cheese and yogurt, but keeping within my 1000-1200 calories for the day.

[Granna1965]

My preop diet was liquids only. I would have loved to have a salad during that time. I did not because I was scared because if they open you up and your liver isnt ready, they will not do the surgery. But this is just my opinion, but I cant see a little fruit hurting anything. Just dont veer to far from the path.

[Foxy'smom]

Sugar free jello, sugar free popcicles, crystal light and broth were things I used in between shakes. I was only allowed liquids on my pr-eop diet.

[sraebaer]

I followed it, though I did wonder if it was really necessary. When the doctor came to talk to my husband after surgery I wanted him to ask the doctor how my liver looked, but he didn't. After all that work I wanted someone to tell me my liver was amazing.

[Teddy65]

I start my pre op diet next week. My diet sheet allows me to have 1 piece of fruit, 1 low fat yoghurt and some raw veg every day. My surgeon is the top of his field and if he is allowing it I can't see how it can hurt. If you get too desperate you might eat something worse.

[NJShoreGirl]

My pre-op diet was two protein shakes a day, snacking on raw veggies, and then the one main meal was a protein with 1/2 cup starch and two vegetable servings. I would talk to your surgeon and see if that's acceptable for you. I honestly never felt hungry and I always had a big appetite.

[florabug]

Fortunately I was allowed 2 fruits and 1 dairy, like yogurt. I had severe headaches when I first started and i emailed my NUT and she told me to add another fruit or another shake. It helped tremendously! I guess every program is different. After day 3-4 i was not that hungry anymore. Your body will adjust.

[Google jan]

Did ou find yourdog?

[LtWeight]

I was allowed to have chicken in the evening on my one week pre-op diet. It was to reduce the liver as others have said and actually he said he wasn't worried about mine, it was already pretty small and he said as long as the last 2 days were all liquid I would be fine. It depends on your surgeon and on you and your specific health.

[melissalap]

My pre-op diet consisted of: 3 shakes, 5 1-cup servings of fruits or veggies and one serving of lean protein per day.
I contacted the bariatric team at my hospital to ask if I could adjust slightly based on hunger. They were ok if I added an extra cup of veggies or a little extra meat, but didn't want me to overindulge or go outside of the diet itself. I lost 14lbs in 14 days. I absolutely ate extra veggies at times and it was fine. I never touched sweets, breads, etc. though...

[Think]

Did ou find yourdog?

No, he is still missing, but always in my heart...

[OAM]

I would agree that the best thing would be to call your doctor. I didn't even have a real pre-op diet. BUT not only are all doctors different, I am sure that the docs are also different with each patient. Some of the folks with the higher BMI's seem to have longer and stricter diets. This is because the amount the liver needs to shrink would vary from patient to patient. He may be fine with adding some fruits or veggies, the only way to know for sure is to ask.

Good luck on your journey!!!! Speedy recovery!!!!!!