Clear liquids vs. Full liquids

jennyl · July 11, 2007

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between clear and full liquids? I'm confused because, on the pre-op diet, some people say that they mix their Protein supplement (powder) with milk. But is milk a clear liquid?

I'm supposed to be on an all-clear-liquid diet for two weeks before surgery. Is sugar-free yogurt okay? What about cottage cheese?

faithmd · July 11, 2007

Can you see through yogurt or cottage cheese?

Then it's not CLEAR.

That having been said, two weeks of a clear liquid diet seems a bit crazy if that's all the guidlelines you have. The point of a pre-op diet is to lose weight and shrink the liver to make it easier to handle during surgery. If you are on a clear liquid diet (anything you can see through) and are drinking sugared fluids or eating sugared popsicles, I can imagine that you wouldn't lose much weight.

Some docs will give guidelines of sugar free non-caffeinated, non-carbonated fluids, broths, sugar-free Jello and will add a Protein shake or two per day.

I was on a very low calorie diet that included some Soups and three Protein drinks per day as Meal Replacements. Others do two Slimfasts and one Lean Cuisine per day. Still others may do Optifast. One surgeon does nothing but yogurt and cottage cheese (I think).

Please call your dietician and ask for better direction about what you are supposed to be taking in. Nothing but clears for two weeks pre op (and how long post-op?) is beyond painful.

violeteyes37 · July 12, 2007

I would recheck your instructions. 2 weeks of Clear Liquids seems impossible to do. I only had to do it one day before surgery and just recently one day after my first fill. That one day was tough. :omg:

jennyl · July 12, 2007

Thanks everyone for the responses. I was soooooo wrong! I called the nurse yesterday and got the REAL pre-op diet. It is not just liquids, but more of a low-cal, low-fat, low-carb thing. I was supposed to go to their office and pick up a pre-op instructions packet. Did anyone ever tell me this? No! I have had to ask every question I can think of in order to get instructions about anything from them. I guess they are just really busy. And I am an adult, so I should just be responsible for gaining my own knowledge. Which I have done by reading everything I can get my hands on. It's just the Dr.'s office that I have to drag info out of!

mariaxoxo4u · July 12, 2007

Still pre-band - Just have a question - I drink a lot of unsweetened iced tea (with 1 Sweet n Low). Is this "allowed"? Is it considered a clear liquid? Is it considered a Water? Should I switch to de-caf iced tea or is reg caffeinated iced tea ok? I understand caffeine is a diuretic and may not be the best thing for a banded person. What about coffee?

Appreciate any advice!

Maria

valzie · July 12, 2007

They want you to limit the coffee intake because it is a stimulant and can actually make you hungry. Although personally I think it makes me less hungry. My Dr. says one cup a day is just fine.

As far as artificaial sweeteners I really do not like them. I am prediabetic and perfer stevia which is all natural and much better for you than some of the others.

dmtjet · July 12, 2007

My doc said little caffeine or none, because it can dehydrate you as well! But he said occassionally wasn't a problem. I use Equal and Splenda as artificial sweeteners, because I am diabetic, but since my surgery on Monday, I no longer take sugar meds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mariaxoxo4u · July 12, 2007

That's fantastic "Jet"! Congrats! About the caffeine - this will be hard because I drink a pot of coffee in the a.m and iced tea all day long!! I must be addicted to the caffeine at this point. I remember being on Atkins and stopped all caffeine - Urgghhhh - needless to say I ended up going back to caffeine. Just another problem I'll have to overcome!!!

Thanks for everything guys,

Maria