No Liquid Pre Surgery Diet? Is This Normal?

[Dannysgirl2003 8]

My surgery is scheduled for Nov 7th, my surgeon did not put me on a liquid diet for an extended period of time-is this normal? The only instruction I was given was to stay on a high Protein & low fat diet , then 2 days before only liquids..and nothing after midnight the night before. Is this normal? It seems everyone else is on some kind/version of the liquid diet. Did this happen to anyone else? I was thinking about just putting myself on a liquid diet(For the week) anyway... I want the best results possible. What do you all think? What would you do?

Thanks in advance!!

Dannysgil2003

[januhh 4]

My Dr didn't put me on any type of diet pre opp either...the only thing I had 2 do tha day b4 tha surgery was eat a light Breakfast n then fast tha rest of tha day.....n I did gr8 in surgery:)

[Chimera 644]

My husband and I did not have to do liquid - but rather Atkins induction (20 carbs or less) and as much Protein as you can get in. Just did Clear liquids right before surgery. Liquid or solid doesnt really matter - its dropping the carbs and upping the Protein in order to shrink you liver for the surgery to come. In 12 days I think I lost 15 lbs before surgery.

Best of luck!

[delta_girl 931]

I didn't have a pre-op plan other than DO NOT GAIN ANY WEIGHT. I did stop eating solid food 24 hours prior to surgery. Though I did eat a lot of favorites in the weeks before I had surgery, I lost 4 pounds by the time I weighed in before being admitted. I'm not sure what causes some doctors to have a pre-op nutrition plan and others to not require one. It may have to do with the type of insurance vs self pay, BMI, or some other reason.

[OneManWolfpack 180]

Dannysgirl, my pre-op diet instructions were very similar to yours. I did two Protein shakes and a sensible high Protein dinner and sensible Snacks for two weeks (about 1200 calories/day), Clear Liquids beginning two days pre-op, and NPO after midnight before my surgery.... Now I'm 5 days post-op and focusing on getting enough fluids in.

Good luck to you!

[Squisha 99]

I had no pre op diet. I could eat food all the way until 7 the night before surgery and then nothing by mouth after midnight. Surgery went fine, no complication i am 7 months out.

[Aaron in Tulsa 147]

My doctor required me to lose 10% of my body weight by my pre-op appt. (Most just have to lose 5%, but I'm high BMI.) My NUT helped formulate a plan to lose this weight, but there was no liquid diet for a prescribed period of time.

[Strangefruit 179]

I would follow your doctors plan and consider yourself lucky... My doc required two weeks pre op only on Liquid Protein, and three weeks post op only on liquid! I mean - really? I could have liquid Protein for five weeks, not have surgery and lose weight, no? I am on week 2 post op and committed ... But miserable.

[Tamster 25]

My surgery is scheduled for Nov 7th, my surgeon did not put me on a liquid diet for an extended period of time-is this normal? The only instruction I was given was to stay on a high Protein & low fat diet , then 2 days before only liquids..and nothing after midnight the night before. Is this normal? It seems everyone else is on some kind/version of the liquid diet. Did this happen to anyone else? I was thinking about just putting myself on a liquid diet(For the week) anyway... I want the best results possible. What do you all think? What would you do?

Thanks in advance!!

Dannysgil2003

I had 6 days of full liquids, then day before surgery was clear liquids and then nothing after midnight the night before surgery. My surgeon explained that it was to help soften your liver to reduce harm during surgery, since they have to manipulate it a lot to keep it out of the way. But he also said that it was to show you that you CAN DO IT, it did help to mentally prepare me for the one week of clear liquids post-op, and then subsequently two weeks of full liquids. Today is the day I get to start on full liquids again, and I am so excited! The week of clear was SO HARD, but I have had zero (knock on wood) issues other than some gas. Every surgeon and patient is different, but as strict as mine has been has, in my opinion, helped expedite my recovery. I've been off pain meds since day 4 post-op and have been gradually getting better each day. Good luck to you! You'll do great!

[GeauxForIt 659]

No pre-op diet for me either. I didn't even have the night-before colon cleanse!! Just nothing to eat or drink after 11pm the night before surgery!

I consider myself really lucky. I'm 16 days and sling great. Good luck to you!!

[jules3 2]

I was allowed a light breakfast the day before and then liquids for the rest of the day. My doc did require me to take Milk of Magnesia at 4pm the night before. He said it helps "clean things out" a bit. I'm glad I did as it helped boewl movement flow which can be troublesome for some patients after surgery.

[LDallas 108]

I had to do clear liquids day before...thats it!

[catryem 14]

I'm jealous!

[ozeedonkee 145]

My only instructions are to fast from midnight. He said that my BMI was not high enough to cause him to think I needed to do a pre-op diet. I also don't have to do a swallow test....phew!

[Strangefruit 179]

So lucky... The swallow test is THE worst. Test. EVER!