Seeking information on presurgery dietary requirements

[AllieBB 7]

I am looking for information on peoples experience with presurgery requirement for diets, liquid and other. What was the length of time you were required to diet before you were able to schedule surgery?

I have read posts that range from no presurgery diet to up to 6 months on Optifast. Having lost 156 lbs on a glycemic index diet and maintained that loss for over a year looking at another diet is daunting. With one hundred more to go I am having the surgery to break through this plateau so I can have total knee replacement surgery on both knees. I am hoping to have my surgery by the beginning of July. I am traveling to New Zealand for a few months leaving in mid-October and that would give me a good 3-1/2 mo post surgery before traveling. Am I just dreaming that this can happen that quickly?

[2muchfun 8,927]

I had no pre-op diet. Most people have a 2 week pre-op diet to shrink the liver. That will be up to your doctor. Some insurance programs require a 6 month supervised nutritional/dietary program? If you're having surgery in New Zealand, not sure what kind of insurance you have if you do?

Best if you ask your surgeon and whoever is paying for the surgery?

[Sharpie 3,306]

I had two weeks liver shrinking diet.. consisted of Protein Bar or shake for bkfst, lunch and lean cuisine for dinner. I dropped 10 lbs. it really wasn't too difficult

[BandedBrunette481 310]

Unfortunately, this is one of those things that's unique to each person. It depends on the doctor you go to and what insurance you have.

I only had to do 2 weeks of a liquid only diet before surgery that included Protein shakes, Water, broth, sugar free popsicles, and sugar free Jello. Other people I know were allowed one small meal of Protein and veggies in their diet. Some people only have to do a liquid diet a few days prior to surgery.

My insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, used to require a 3-6 month medically supervised diet before they would do surgery (it's even before the 2 week liquid diet), but they have since stopped making that common practice. Some insurance companies may still require it though.

So you may not be dreaming about how fast it can go! I went to my first seminar about weight loss surgery in November of 2013 and I had my LapBand surgery in February of 2014! It can happen that fast, but not always. Depends on doctors appointments and such lining up just right.

Best of luck to you!

[chasingadream 1,311]

I agree with @@2muchfun speak to your insurance because each one has their own requirements.

I had 6 mos supervised diet….then 2 week liquid pre-op and 2 week liquid post-op then 2 weeks mushy foods then finally back to solids.

It is very individual according to your surgeon and insurance.

Good luck…keep us posted!

Edited May 26, 2014 by chasingadream