Pre-Op Diet Question

[Pedro115]

Hey Sleevers!

In re-reading my pre-op diet instructions I notice it says that I may have a small portion of Chicken, Turkey, or Tuna for dinner, with protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. I am 48 hours into my pre-op and have thus far had only 6 protein shakes, but am starting to get some hunger pains, which is abnormal for me, as one of my past failed diets was based on 3 protein shakes a day and was able to go almost 3 weeks before breaking without ever having experienced any hunger. Has anyone else indulged in the chicken, tuna, or turkey pre-op? I do not want to endanger my surgery's success by eating anything pre-op! Please, fill me with your knowledge!!

[KarenJean]

Pedro, I ate some protein pre-op. You're trying to shrink your liver at this point, so eating some protein won't do much harm. Remember, the pre-op diet is a one size fits all, and you may have greater protein needs at your weight. If you're uncertain, call your nutritionist.

[Ella-Ann35]

There are many different pre-op requirements. Mine was 10 days of 4 protein shakes, one fruit, and one vegetable, each day. So you can't really go by what others tell you, you have to go by what your surgeon prescribes for you. Hope this helps.

[Terps]

I did shakes for breakfast and lunch, protein at dinner. I always had chicken breast.

You're doing great!!

[lugo1815]

Hey Pedro,

I pretty much did the same but there were days where I was really hungry. One day I almost had an anxiety attack because I didn't know what to do to occupy my mind. Your mind play a major role. I found that when I was out and complete occupied and distracted, hunger was not issue. I have been in my pre-op diet stage for two weeks with just three days remaining. I have to say that it is much easier today than it was a week ago. I also did the 3-4 shakes per day and chicken breast or tuna at least one meal a day. If I ate tuna or chicken for lunch, then I would only drink a shake for dinner and vice verse.

I read somewhere on this site that eating a spoon of peanut butter before going to bed helps. I tried it and It certainly helped me. Apparently your body goes to work while you sleep. I am not going to eat anything solid a day or two before my surgery just to make sure I am not storing any food but that's me.

Keep on Keeping up. It is well worth it. I weighed myself the other day(I am about to go downstairs and weigh my self again) and I was down 13 pounds since I started so the juice is worth the squeeze.

[Ann2]

Pedro, my bariatric surgeon's pre-op liver-shrinking diet was this:

Week One: Protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a Lean Cuisine for dinner. (Lean Cuisine? Yeah.)

Week Two: Protein shakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I agree with Lugo. I wouldn't eat anything in the days or even week prior to your surgery. Keep that stomach nice and clean.

I also agree with the advice to contact your surgeon's office if you have any questions. That's what they're there for.

[mrf0418]

I had no pre-op diet, I gained 7 lbs in the months before my surgery and just had to not eat after midnight the day before. From what I have read many people have many different doctors with many different ideas. My suggestion is to just check in with your doctor's office if you have any questions, that is what you are paying them for. I wish you the best of luck, sounds like you will do great...

[amt5298]

i ate the frozen chicken breast from walmart for supper or tilipia i had to egg whites for breakfast and protein shake for lunch but i was also allowed one piece of fruit and nonfat yogurt and half a cup of vegetables which i ate with supper also and my liver shrank just fine

[Wayne2]

My doc just said to have a "low" carb diet for the 2 weeks before surgery. No other restrictions. But the day before the surgery I had to drink this concoction and take some pills that cleaned me out completely!

[BBCorvette18]

I ate a couple oz of chicken for dinner until 2 days preop. at that point I stayed to a strict fluid only diet. Creme of Chicken soup seem to hit the spot for me

[kenson]

I was allowed 3 ozs. of chicken twice a day, as part of my pre-op diet, which was just a low fat diet. I was allowed protein, veggies, protein shakes, yogurt, oatmeal.

[KarenJean]

Wayne, I had to do the "cleanse" too--same stuff used for a colonoscopy. It was disgusting!!!!

K.

[BBCorvette18]

I just had to take a laxative

[Carak]

The few bites of protein will help to shrink your liver before surgery. I would do it, might help with the pangs/pains.

[sem1983]

I am struggling with mine as well. I have a 7 day pre op diet and I am on day 2 and it is hard. Mine encourages you to stick with clear liquids but the instructions also say if you cannot survive on liquids only to have a piece of chicken, a lean steak, or a hard boiled egg. Those are saving me right now. Protein shakes help with the hunger but I can only stomach so many of those. I am sure if you eat some solid protein you will be fine. I am still dropping weight even with the chicken and stuff.