Nervous and excited

[Anna67]

Hi! I am Anna. I am scheduled for gastric sleeve after 15 day pre-op diet. But my pre diet is not liquid base like most of members disscused. can someone help why it is?

[RehabNurse]

Not all pre-op diets are liquid-based. The goal of the pre-op diet is to ensure the liver shrinks so the surgery will be safer. If your liver is small and not obstructing your stomach's view, this makes your surgeon's job easier and reduces the likelihood of him/her accidentally lacerating the liver.

As long as your carbohydrate intake is greatly curtailed during the pre-op diet, your liver will shrink because reduced carb intake facilitates depletion of glycogen that is stored in your liver. A pre-op diet of salads, non-starchy veggies and lean proteins will accomplish this.

Some surgeons prescribe a liquid pre-op diet to help their patients mentally adjust to what eating will be like for the first couple of weeks post-surgery. Since most patients are discharged from the surgery on a liquid diet for a couple of weeks, some doctors prefer for you to make this adjustment early because you won't be eating real food for a while.

[Luna354]

Every dr has a different protocol. I didn't have a liquid diet before.

[Gvn71]

I also did not have a pre op diet from my surgeon. My only restriction was 24 hours before surgery. Essentially no heavy meals, nothing after 8pm except water only until 12 midnight and then nothing after that. Had no issues in surgery or yet for that matter.

Good luck to you!

[Christie13]

Anna you'll find every surgeon has their own preference. Some people have no pre op at all. I had 6 days of shakes plus one meal of lean meat and veggies then 3 days of liquids. Also, every post op diet is different. Yet somehow, we're all successful and it works. I wouldn't worry. I'd be glad not to do straight liquids.