Pre-Surgery Diet

[MRhynard11 41]

My doctor didn't give me an expectation for how much to try to lose on my pre-surgery diet. It's a 14 day low carb diet, with the inclusion of liquid supplement for Breakfast and meat and veggies for lunch and dinner. I've only lost 4 lbs. in the first 7 days. I think if I keep going this way, I'll have only lost around 10 lbs. before surgery. I could probably pull off more if I go all liquid for the last few days. I'm not sure if I should go off of his prescribed diet though just to try to lose more. How much do you think is normal for pre-op?

[mrshall617 10]

My doctor didn't give me a goal but my pre-op diet is 7 days of liquid (Protein shakes, Water, clear liquids), veggies and fruit - no veggies and fruit for the last 2 days. I've lost 9 in the first 4 days. I guess all docs are different. The nutritionist told me the main goal of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver so it's easier for the doc to get to the stomach during surgery. So it's probably not as much about weight loss as shrinking the liver and I think the low carb aspect of the diet is doing that. I'm sure whatever you're doing is achieving your doc's goals

[McButterpants 2,846]

My doc didn't give me a requirement for weight loss on the pre-surgery diet.

The goal was to reduce the liver so it wouldn't get in the way during surgery.

My suggestion is to follow your doctor's orders and don't over think this.

[Cupcake 801]

HI i have to agree with the above suggestion it is very important that you follow your doctors orders because they know what is best for you. If you follow there orders and relax I am sure you will do great. Good Luck.

[mi75 1,235]

i too have the strict, liquids only, plus raw veggies for 14 days. i've had one small cheat. it's HARD. but i've lost 7.5lbs in 5 days.

many of my friends went to the 'other' bariatric surgeon in town and he allows his patients to do the Atkins diet for 2 wks prior to surgery. i would WAY rather have steak and eggs than shakes, shakes and more shakes! just try to do what they tell you. i'm not perfect, i'm certainly no saint, and i will tell you that this entire journey is tough, but totally worth it! good luck!

[goodbye 5]

My doctor didn't give me an expectation for how much to try to lose on my pre-surgery diet. It's a 14 day low carb diet, with the inclusion of liquid supplement for Breakfast and meat and veggies for lunch and dinner. I've only lost 4 lbs. in the first 7 days. I think if I keep going this way, I'll have only lost around 10 lbs. before surgery. I could probably pull off more if I go all liquid for the last few days. I'm not sure if I should go off of his prescribed diet though just to try to lose more. How much do you think is normal for pre-op?

Lucky you! I have to do 2-week liquids only diet. I would stick to what your Dr recommends. The pre-op diet is mostly to shrink the liver a bit and also to show that you actually did the diet and can make the commitment. Good luck!

[Dexter1118 27]

It seems like that there is a huge variety of approaches to the pre-op diet. I am on day 5 out 28 days on Optifast. Right now I could kill for a cheeseburger. My doctor said that I should lose about 50 pounds on the Optifast before I have my surgery. Trying to keep my on on the prize!

[simplykeke 0]

My pre-opt diet consist of : 14 day clear liquid diet.. only clear broth..beef/chicken .. Protein shakes... sugar free jello.. sugar free popsicles. .diet v8splash.crystal light.. only clear liquid for 2 weeks... . im on day 2.. I was told to get in 600-800 calories a day, whick would normally not be a problem...but I am dreading drinking another protein shake..lol vsg scheduled for 6/27/14

[McButterpants 2,846]

To all of you that are going on some form of a pre-op diet...Decaf Green Tea was on my plan and it was a life saver, especially those first few days which were hard. I warded off hunger for me.

You got this - this is so worth it! Yes, it is going to suck, but in the end, you'll be happy you did it!

Good luck, guys!

[Kindle 8,667]

I was required to lose 5% of my body weight on the 2 week preop (protein shakes and green veggies only). I was afraid I wouldn't, so I started 2 days early. I ended up losing 22 pounds in 16 days, instead of the required 12 pounds. Even when I saw I was past my doctor's required loss I never cheated once....I was on a roll and 10 more pounds closer to goal even before surgery.

[mi75 1,235]

good replies! i am down 8.5 lbs today, which is day 7 of my pre-op diet. i've had small cheat, but nothing that will hopefully undo the whole process.

this is HARD, way harder than i expected. my surgeon has told me repeatedly that the pre-op is WAY harder than anything post-op because you still have your huge stomach sitting there, producing explosive amounts of hunger hormone, and you can't fill it. post-op that is taken out of the equation.

i am hopeful that this week i will clean it up even more, get more strict and hopefully lose another 7-8 lbs before my date. this week changes up a little bit, with the last couple of days being true liquids only, and then the day before surgery having Clear Liquids BUT ok to have sugar that day, to stabalize my blood sugar for the long haul of surgery day. getting close!

[Mary Cade 23]

I'm on 6 day of pre op diet . I am following it to the t. Walking every day at lest a mile some days 2 ,I think I have gained bummer. I read some people lose 20 lbs or more on pre op diet . I am truly trying