Pre Op diet- how long and what kind?

[girlwitharosetattoo]

Yes shake for breakfast and lunch and protein (chicken or fish) with no seasoning except lemon and veggies, ive been practacing with the shakes and just eating a snack here and there. not fully commited since i still have 10 days but trying. I found these shakes at Sams that have 30gm of protein 1 sugar and they do a decent job. The first one i drank at room temp didnt set so well but cold is much better. I have plannes on making these a staple since they have protein and I know I will be short. They are only 16$ at Sam's but they were on sale for 11$. I hope they have that sale frequently.

I'm sure it takes some time to get used to it. What is the brand name of these shakes? Often they have so much sugar in them, so to find some with that little sugar is great.

[girlwitharosetattoo]

Hi,

I was told to start my pre-op diet 5 days before the surgery - the more "fatty" your liver the longer you need to diet. That said, for those who haven't had your procedure yet, the pre-op diet is the hardest part. Your eating habits haven't changed yet and your stomach if full size.....you will be hungry and anxious but stick with it. Once the surgery was done it wasn't difficult for me to diet. The hard part was not jumping into yummy solid foods right away - I like soup but not that much lol.

It's going to be difficult. I am anticipating that. Even just to go on a mostly liquid diet for one day before a procedure such as a colonoscopy feels like pure hell.

I'm not even gonna look at soup until after my surgery because I will have no choice and I know I am going to get SO SICK OF IT!

[Nandree]

3 days for me but thinking of doing 5 days as a challenge to myself.

[bndjones]

I was in a dilemma regarding which Dr and program to use. First doc I went to wanted me on 6 weeks of Optifast and could only buy it from him to the tune of $15 per day. Second doc, which I have now chosen - two weeks and use any hi protein low carb drink, The Premier brand at Sam's is actually very good and as others have mentioned, it has 30 gr of protein and only 4 carbs. My first doc said he would not do surgery till I had lost at least 50 lbs. Using the protein drinks and not having any alcohol and I've lost 30 lbs in a little over a month. I have ordered some unflavored Isopure which I've read by others on this forum that is great for added protein for soups. It has 50 gr protein per scoop.

[girlwitharosetattoo]

I was in a dilemma regarding which Dr and program to use. First doc I went to wanted me on 6 weeks of Optifast and could only buy it from him to the tune of $15 per day. Second doc, which I have now chosen - two weeks and use any hi protein low carb drink, The Premier brand at Sam's is actually very good and as others have mentioned, it has 30 gr of protein and only 4 carbs. My first doc said he would not do surgery till I had lost at least 50 lbs. Using the protein drinks and not having any alcohol and I've lost 30 lbs in a little over a month. I have ordered some unflavored Isopure which I've read by others on this forum that is great for added protein for soups. It has 50 gr protein per scoop.

Thanks so much for this detailed replied. I have also read about isopure here and plan to use it. I've had the premiere protein drinks before. None are my favorite, but I guess I will have to try and get them down. Yuck.

Congrats on your weight loss and good luck with your surgery!!!

[bndjones]

You can always try perking up those drinks with a banana or some peanut butter or some other fruit. I like blueberries in the vanilla.

[girlwitharosetattoo]

You can always try perking up those drinks with a banana or some peanut butter or some other fruit. I like blueberries in the vanilla.

Great idea! Strawberries in the vanilla sounds good to me, and I always love a PB and chocolate combo. I need to get myself a new blender, I think!

[Pam G]

I have noticed that many of our pre op diet instructions are different. As I start my journey and prepare, I was wondering what your pre op diets consisted of and how long before surgery you were told to start?

My dr said a week or 2 for pre op diet consisting of lean meats and veggies and protein shakes.

I'm not a regular drinker of alcohol so it's easy for me to abstain. I have a few friends who like their beer or wine every night and this would be difficult!

The differences among surgeons drives me freakin' nuts!

To me, if there's so much variety in what they tell us to do, it just says to me that none of them really know!

I had a 2 wk liquid pre op diet. But because so many other people can eat solid food pre op, I figured it wouldn't hurt if I did, too, so halfway through, I had a meal. Then, the day before surgery, I ate a little bit, cause it was the last day of school before summer break and there was a BBQ meal provided to us!

And post op...."no straws"? Pish. I drink with straws and no problems. "Don't drink before, during, or after meals"? Another pish, although I understand the why of that rule better.

My point is that I looked at what other docs were telling their patients, and if it seemed reasonable to me, I'd do it, whether my own doctor follows that rule or not.

[Susie57]

My doctor didn't change my 1200 cal diet. The day before surgery I had chicken breast, green beans and rice for dinner. I was told the more I lost the easier the surgery. I was shocked to read so many have to do two weeks of liquid diet pre-op. However, morning of my surgery he said you were liquid only yesterday right? I said no, told him what I had eaten. He say ok let's go!

[girlwitharosetattoo]

The differences among surgeons drives me freakin' nuts!

To me, if there's so much variety in what they tell us to do, it just says to me that none of them really know!

I had a 2 wk liquid pre op diet. But because so many other people can eat solid food pre op, I figured it wouldn't hurt if I did, too, so halfway through, I had a meal. Then, the day before surgery, I ate a little bit, cause it was the last day of school before summer break and there was a BBQ meal provided to us!

And post op...."no straws"? Pish. I drink with straws and no problems. "Don't drink before, during, or after meals"? Another pish, although I understand the why of that rule better.

My point is that I looked at what other docs were telling their patients, and if it seemed reasonable to me, I'd do it, whether my own doctor follows that rule or not.

I agree. Why so much variation? And there is A LOT of that. I think it's wise to do as you did and use common sense/what seems reasonable.

[girlwitharosetattoo]

My doctor didn't change my 1200 cal diet. The day before surgery I had chicken breast, green beans and rice for dinner. I was told the more I lost the easier the surgery. I was shocked to read so many have to do two weeks of liquid diet pre-op. However, morning of my surgery he said you were liquid only yesterday right? I said no, told him what I had eaten. He say ok let's go!

I was not given a liquid pre op diet either. I don't think it's always necessary (obviously as some of us are not required to do this) but different doctors have different methods, philosophies, etc. I think that comes into play big time here.

[mohairbears]

I did two weeks on healthy soups and yoghurts. Weight loss 9lbs. The pre op diet helps to shrink your liver, so it is easier for your surgeon to operate...

[girlwitharosetattoo]

I did two weeks on healthy soups and yoghurts. Weight loss 9lbs. The pre op diet helps to shrink your liver, so it is easier for your surgeon to operate...

Yes, I know. We were just remarking at the different lengths and types of diets different doctors expect.

[mohairbears]

These are the guidelines quoted but wrote by our NHS health service in the United Kingdom...


BARIATRIC SURGERY - PRE-OPERATIVE DIET
Before your weight loss surgery, it is essential that you follow a special pre-operative diet for two weeks. This diet is to help shrink the liver so the surgeon can operate more easily and increases the chances of your surgery being performed laparoscopically (by keyhole). This diet is not optional and is only intended for before surgery. It should not be followed after surgery or by anyone else.

Why do I need to follow this diet?
This diet is low in carbohydrate and fat. It will, therefore, reduce the glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy). This results in the liver shrinking in size and softening.
When performing bariatric surgery laparoscopically, the surgeon will have to lift the liver to access the stomach. If the liver is heavy, fatty and immobile, it is much more difficult for the surgeon to see and get access to the stomach. This could be a reason for changing to open surgery. Open surgery means a larger abdominal scar, which results in longer recovery and increased risks.

By following this diet, you are likely to lose weight before surgery but, more importantly, your liver will shrink and you increase your chances of having a safe operation.

It is important to stick to the diet for the full two weeks before your operation. Do not be tempted to have a special or larger meal before surgery, as this will reverse the liver-reducing effects of the diet...

[girlwitharosetattoo]

These are the guidelines quoted but wrote by our NHS health service in the United Kingdom...


BARIATRIC SURGERY - PRE-OPERATIVE DIET
Before your weight loss surgery, it is essential that you follow a special pre-operative diet for two weeks. This diet is to help shrink the liver so the surgeon can operate more easily and increases the chances of your surgery being performed laparoscopically (by keyhole). This diet is not optional and is only intended for before surgery. It should not be followed after surgery or by anyone else.

Why do I need to follow this diet?
This diet is low in carbohydrate and fat. It will, therefore, reduce the glycogen stores (glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscles for energy). This results in the liver shrinking in size and softening.
When performing bariatric surgery laparoscopically, the surgeon will have to lift the liver to access the stomach. If the liver is heavy, fatty and immobile, it is much more difficult for the surgeon to see and get access to the stomach. This could be a reason for changing to open surgery. Open surgery means a larger abdominal scar, which results in longer recovery and increased risks.

By following this diet, you are likely to lose weight before surgery but, more importantly, your liver will shrink and you increase your chances of having a safe operation.

It is important to stick to the diet for the full two weeks before your operation. Do not be tempted to have a special or larger meal before surgery, as this will reverse the liver-reducing effects of the diet...

Thanks for posting this! I really appreciate it.

How are you feeling 4 days out?