Anyone else NOT on a pre-op diet?

[mrsob1 21]

My pre-op is just 2 weeks at 1000 calories a day then clear liquid 48 prior to surgery. I thought I was lucky!

[Newme16 2]

Newly sleeved on Nov 4th. No pre-op diet required. Just routine nothing by mouth after midnight the night before.

[thbrown223 214]

I had Clear Liquids for 3 days pre op

[kranky813 477]

No pre op diet at all. Just nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.

[RickM 1,747]

Seriously? ^ im pretty sure I've got a great surgeon and ill have 2 week pre op starting 11/30

It's tough evaluating these guys for us non-medical laymen (and it's not even easy for the surgeons themselves to evaluate each other if they don't see them in action in the OR, or can evaluate their handiwork after the fact). The usually suggested tools of state medical boards, yelp, online forums, etc. can give some indications but are ultimately of limited value - much of our legal system of settlements, arbitration and mediation comes with gag orders that keep many negative reports out of the public eye.

In this imperfect world, what I have found to be one of the more effective filters for VSG surgeons is whether they have extensive DS experience. As the DS is one of the more technically challenging procedures around, it tends to attract the more skilled surgeons, and as the DS uses the sleeve as its basis, these guys are the most experienced with the sleeve with most having done them for 10-20 years or more (as opposed to most others who have been doing them for maybe 3-5 years, adding them to their RNY based practices, which involves a somewhat distinct skillset.

Observing these forums over the years, and chatting with lots of patients around the country, one notices a pattern that these DS surgeons generally don't do require these extensive pre-op "liver shrinking" diets that many surgeons require. One can conclude that these guys have developed skills or tools that negate the need for these diets, and that the OP has likely fallen in with one of these more experienced surgeons (or one who has been training with them.)

We also see similar disparity with post-op dietary progressions, with some limiting their patients to liquids for a month or more while others have progressed to steak by then - guess which programs tend to come from these more experienced DS/sleeve guys?

Given that the DS only has a 1-2% market share in the bariatric world, this filter leaves out a lot of surgeons who can be considered "great" or top drawer (say, top quintile, or 20%) but I don't know how to properly evaluate them against those who are merely "good" or "so-so" (though if one is considering a surgeon who has been changing jobs/practices every year or two, I would keep looking....)

[Fatty McFatster 888]

I have to admit that I'm jealous of all of you that didn't have to do the pre-op diet or were able to consume a lot more calories than I am allowed. I have to be on mostly liquids and between 500-700 calories per day with very low carbs, no sugar, and very low fat.

I am now on Day 11 and just 3 more days to go until my surgery.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Fatty McFatster

[Fatty McFatster 888]

And I was feeling guilty that I wanted to eat an Apple...that's right...an Apple as my last meal tonight before I am on 2 days of only Clear Liquids. I don't feel so guilty for wanting to eat an apple after reading this thread. So thanks!!! lol.

[newmebithebypass 713]

My Surgeon is the head of the bariatric program and he requires the liquid diet not sure if its cuz hes old school or if it works for him. Also his stages progress quick I know I get a Protein Drink in the hospital day one

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

don't have a pre-op 1 month or 2 week diet.

@@mcp_vsg

i asked doc if i needed pre-op diet

he said no, he doesn't require it

i shoud have put myself on my own pre-op

only liquid Protein shakes, Water, etc

would have given myself a jump on WLS

instead i put myself on a food funeral and gained 4 lbs

oh well!!!!

kathy

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Yeah one thing I like about the pre-op diet is that it helps prepare me for what's ahead.

[ttdish 315]

As much as I hated my two week pre-op diet, I lost 12 pounds. So at 11 weeks out, I've lost over 58 pounds, and would only be at 46 pounds without my pre-op diet.

On another note, I hope most people are vetting their surgeons much more thoroughly that just deciding that the "good ones" don't require a pre-op diet. What a ridiculous post.

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

[perforce 243]

I thought I'd answered this topic but can't see it anywhere. I don't have a pre-op diet either, just reduce certain suppliers etc and no food the day before because I need to do my preop tests then. I thought it was because I'm travelling to get my surgery so they condense my preop stuff but I guess not.

[Cheeselife 68]

I also have no pre-op diet, though my surgeon said it's a good idea to use this time to practice restricted intake, as well as figuring out what supplements, shakes, Meal Replacements, etc, aren't horrible.

A lot is due to my weight though, and my being a low-risk candidate for surgery. If I was heavier with comorbidities then a more strictly controlled diet would increase my chances for a simple and successful surgery.

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[mcp_vsg 7]

Newly sleeved on Nov 4th. No pre-op diet required. Just routine nothing by mouth after midnight the night before.

Congrats how are you feeling?! Any advise?

[mcp_vsg 7]

I didn't have one either. I was pretty savvy at that point after months of research, and asked him why no pre op diet since I heard shrinking the liver for surgery was the reason. He stated he had gone to a conference where they explained that the actual amount that the liver shrinks is so small, it really makes no difference in the outcome of the surgery.

I was just thankful I didn't have to deal with it!

They also say it has to do w/ reducing the amount of visceral fat around the organs but who knows at this point.