Fat free vs. fat????

[angel96049 1]

I have been told to be on an absolutely no fat diet before my surgery to shrink my liver, but I was wondering if after my surgery I will be able to have a little. The reason I am asking is because I usually drink EAS Protein Shakes, they are cheap, easy to find and I enjoy them but they have 3 grams of fat so I am not allowed to have any on my pre-surgical diet. I definately want to find something that I can tolerate and afford before the time comes. Please help!!

[Tiffykins 673]

I eat foods with fat. I didn't immediately after surgery, but now 6 months out, I do consume some fat in my foods.

[Chancie 65]

I used the EAS drinks right out of surgery-

I had no problems whatsover! You might want to ask your surgeon and his nutrionist if this is on their plan- was on my docs.

But my doc also didn't have me on a pre-diet either- just two days prior-

[Tracy46545 6]

Purely personal opinion....but I think women need some fats (healthy ones) in their diet whether reducing or not.

Sticking to healthy fats, increasing your Protein and strictly limiting your processed carbs will help you reach your goals long term!

[Jachut 487]

Gee, no fat at all would be virtually impossible! Every food contains SOME fat.

I am a firm believer in a normal diet in reasonable quantity - post surgery of course, for now you just have to stick with what youv'e been told.

I think that evidence that fat free and sugar free has achieved nothing is all around us in society, we're all fatter than ever. And I think we need fat, that very low fat diet hasnt cured obesity either. Fatty and sugary foods are sometimes foods, not everyday ones, and removing fat and sugar and replacing it with fake versions so we can eat these foods every day is senseless. We need good fats, a little saturated fat and more monounsaturates - nuts, avocadoes, fish oils etc.

[janep 2]

From the time I was on pureed two weeks out I have been allowed to use full fat foods. I use full fat mayo all the time.

[angel96049 1]

Wow, this just seems to bring more questions. Why would all of our dr.'s give such different meal plans and exceptions for the exact same surgery? They said the no fat diet is only pre-op to shrink my liver, I am not sure if this diet will continue after surgery or if they ease up a little. I hope so because 2 weeks pre-op, and 6 weeks post-op of this diet will be rough...but nothing I can't handle!!

[Tiffykins 673]

I can't understand the no fat diet. meat, cheese, almost everything we eat has some sort of fat in it. It's my understanding that no fat, or reduced fat diets are just as lousy as the others. For my pre-op, I had to do low carb (less than 30grams per day) and high Protein foods.

It boggles my mind to see the variation in surgeon's pre-op and post-op diets.

[Malaika 50]

I agree with Tiffy. I was on the same pre-op diet.

If you buy fat-free products, and take the time to compare them to normal products, you will see that the fat-free products have more sugar the the regular - that is because they have to do something to improve the flavor when they remove the fat.

I used EAS before my surgery - loved it - couldn't/can't stand it since my surgery - it's too sweet. Don't stock up on too much stuff before your surgery as you may find, as many of us have, that after the surgery your tastes have changed significantly.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I seriously doubt if your surgeon expects you to have zero fat because that is next to impossible.

3 grams of fat is really nothing. Maybe you should give them a call and ask them what they expect you to eat. One thing that all surgeons agree on is Protein. It's next to impossible to get protein with zero fat.

[carolyn24seven 11]

I used a Protein Powder and fat free milk before surgery. After, no way could I drink that stuff. I found the EAS Myoplex after and I am still using it once a day to get my Protein. I am like Tiff, I do not understand the difference in all these dietary guidlines?

I have heard from two Dr. friends, (not surgeons) that to shrink the liver any amount at all takes a least six months of a special diet. They both snickered at a two week diet to shrink the liver. One said if you need to shrink the liver before surgery you should not have that DR. do the surgery. What kind of a surgeon is that? THey have to operate on all kinds of adverse internal organs. They are trained to do that. My friend said likely the diet the surgeon is recommending is to get you headed on the right path for continued weight loss and is a known diet that reduces liver fat as a side benefit. But, then she also said, I am a pathologist, not a surgeon or WLS specialist at all. Like I said she is a personal friend, and we were not talking Dr. to patient.

hope this helps.

[angel96049 1]

That is so true Carolyn. I didn't think of it that way, but they should know what they are doing regardless, oh well maybe it is just an easier way for them. They did give me a very short limited list of foods that are ok to eat before surgery:

-fat free cottage cheese

-any fresh vegetables

-fat free yogurt

-fat free milk

-sugar free Jello or pudding

-fat free Protein drinks

...and ummmm that's about it! Mmmmmm.......lol!

[Jane_J 117]

The pre-op diet is to shrink the liver as they have to retract it out of the way for surgery. After the op there is no requirement to eat a fat free diet as far as I know. I eat fats, I am basically on a high Protein diet which does have some fat associated with it and I have been losing fine.