Cheating on the liquid pre-op diet :(

[leebick 448]

So much for my all-liquid diet. I cheated today. After Breakfast (syntax grapefruit Protein shake) we drove 3 hours to a graduation party BBQ for my daughter's boyfriend. I was all set, feeling good about making it through the day. I'd packed my almond milk and 2 servings of Protein Shake powder, liquids, and s-f Jello into the cooler with my husband's beer. We got to the party and discovered NO COOLER. I didn't know what to do, but I knew that there was no way I'd survive a 9 hour day without something in my system. I drank a LOT of liquids and weighed out 4 ounces of boneless, skinless, non-marinated grilled chicken breast for my meal. I didn't eat anything other than the chicken breast and am hoping that it was OK to have solid protein instead of Liquid Protein for one meal. I had another shake when I got home tonight and will be "back on the wagon" tomorrow; I'm having surgery on 5/26!

[Christinamo7 4,042]

I hope it works out alright for you! let us know how it goes this week. I am glad you didn't have carbs.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

As long as you didn't have carbs I think you should be okay. Just straight Protein shouldn't hurt you as long as your surgery isn't the next day.

[shriner37 249]

I would think you should be fine. The pre-op liquid diet serves three main purposes.

1) It causes you to lose weight quickly which primarily comes from your liver, which is basically a big sponge. However the liver is right above the stomach so shrinking it before surgery is very beneficial to successful surgery without complications.

2) It provides for a totally empty stomach during surgery.

3) It gets you into the right eating pattern for your recovery period immediately following surgery.

Not every practice even requires a liquid diet. Some only require it for a day or two before surgery, while others ask for a week or two. As long as it is several days before surgery I don't see where this would be a big issue. If you are concerned, you could always ask your surgery practice.

[carlissa_RN 62]

My surgeon doesn't require it all and my liver isn't too fatty anyway. I have had recent abdominal ultrasounds to confirm this. My surgeon just requires the standard nothing by mouth before midnight.

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[leebick 448]

I would think you should be fine. The pre-op liquid diet serves three main purposes.

1) It causes you to lose weight quickly which primarily comes from your liver, which is basically a big sponge. However the liver is right above the stomach so shrinking it before surgery is very beneficial to successful surgery without complications.

2) It provides for a totally empty stomach during surgery.

3) It gets you into the right eating pattern for your recovery period immediately following surgery.

Not every practice even requires a liquid diet. Some only require it for a day or two before surgery, while others ask for a week or two. As long as it is several days before surgery I don't see where this would be a big issue. If you are concerned, you could always ask your surgery practice.

I'm not really too worried, given the variety of pre-op diets I'm reading about and my "low" BMI. I am more disappointed that I couldn't "do it" and make it through the full 2 weeks, although it was a glitch situation and not an intentional choice. I was surprised that the chicken didn't taste totally amazing; it was good, but I thought that after 10 days without food, it'd be like manna from heaven! I also feel really proud of myself for not losing control when surrounded by all this incredible, home-made food: baked Beans, 7-bean salad, potato salad, four different dips, cream-cheese marble cake, lemon squares, peanut butter-chocolate bars, etc. I'm back on shakes/diet this morning, and interestingly enough, it's somewhat of a relief. I know what I can eat, when, how, and that I'm moving forward It's almost comforting!

[Clarevoyant 347]

As others have said, I doubt it will be a problem. Sounds like you made the best choice though in a difficult situation so good for you!

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I don't condone (or even believe in) cheating. It's my opinion that there is no such thing. Everything we do is a choice.

That said, you made the best out of an undesirable situation. You made the perfect choice in food options and you should feel good about that. Let your surgeon know. I've no doubt s/he'll be pleased with your decisions.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@leebick I'd say you did well considering. Don't be disappointed in yourself!

[findingnish 39]

You will do fine I had a little more than you ate and I was fine

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[165B445 188]

I too had 2oz of tuna during my pre-op diet... the surgeon told me it really only shrinks to right lobe of liver since it's smaller... my surgery went awesome 5/18... reading this post makes me chuckle cuz I also stressed out B4 surgery, like he was going to find the 2 2oz of tuna sitting on my liver and abort my surgery...

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[lweaver1 4]

I cheated 3 times in 10 days right at the beginning. I pulled it together for the remaining time. My liver was still large but thankfully they were still able to do it vie keyhole. However I imagine my liver must have been very fatty because I still had a good 6 days of only baratric shakes and nothing the day before surgery. I belive it must have shrunk some but not as much if I hadn't cheated. Btw-I have not cheated at all post op.

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[Isabel2point0 3]

Hi! I'm in the same exact situation. Surgery is 5/27! I feel so hungry, I plan on trying my best this week but this isn't easy. Best of luck!

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[JuicyDew 1]

My surgeon said it was an easy recomended diet for pre op... i didnt have to folow it but i needed to eat around 50grams of protien and stay under 1100 calories.

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[BackSpin81 350]

I would think you should be fine. The pre-op liquid diet serves three main purposes.

1) It causes you to lose weight quickly which primarily comes from your liver, which is basically a big sponge. However the liver is right above the stomach so shrinking it before surgery is very beneficial to successful surgery without complications.

2) It provides for a totally empty stomach during surgery.

3) It gets you into the right eating pattern for your recovery period immediately following surgery.

Not every practice even requires a liquid diet. Some only require it for a day or two before surgery, while others ask for a week or two. As long as it is several days before surgery I don't see where this would be a big issue. If you are concerned, you could always ask your surgery practice.

Very true. It seems as if the pre-diet varies dramatically from location to location.

My surgeon only required 3 days of Clear liquids. But the NUT scared the hell out of me and my pre-op class saying that if the liver was not shrunk down enough, that surgery would and could be canceled. So to be sure to ONLY have Clear Liquids and absolutely no food or liquid at all after 10 PM on the night before surgery! I didn't question but I was definitely terrified. Lol.

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Edited May 23, 2016 by Tanika81