Did everyone go through a liquid pre-op diet?

[t_dulls 1]

It seems like I have seen a bunch of people talk about their pre-op liquid diet. Is this something everyone has gone through? I have met with the nutritionist about the post-op diet but nothing has been mentioned about a pre-op diet.

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[Malpraxis 32]

Short answer: No, but you should.

Long answer: The point of the liquid preop diet is to make both your body and psyche adapt for what comes next. Liquid Protein supplements are the ideal form, since you do not lose muscle mass and accomplish your goal, basically a win-win. It also makes surgery easier in case where you have conditions like fatty liver that may obstruct the surgeons view, and believe me that having solids in your body will literally be a pain when your intestinal transit goes back to normal and you cannot expel them properly due to not being able to apply the proper abdominal pressure.

When it comes to the bottom line, your body won't implode or anything, but it will make things easier for both the surgeon and yourself.

[GreenTealael 25,336]

My surgeon did not require it (perhaps because i was only in the 200s)but i did a version of it anyway to make sure i did not have excess waste in my body as i have a sluggish digestive system

[Lov2cruz 6]

Yes, 3 painful weeks on Optifast prior to my surgery on April 23

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Mine was 10 days total: 5 days of mushy foods, 3 days full liquids, 2 days Clear Liquids. So, it wasn't nearly as restrictive as some, but my surgeon complemented me on my "flat as a pancake" liver!

Edited May 6, 2018 by Orchids&Dragons

[RickM 1,747]

Pre-op diets vary from nothing at all other than the day or night before surgery to months of liquids, and varying rationale are given for them, mostly either to "shrink" the liver or otherwise improve its condition prior to surgery, or to "get one ready" for post op regimens. The liver shrinking thing is debated amongst the surgeons, as to how much improvement can actually be accomplished with a week or two of dieting, how necessary such changes are depending upon surgeons' background and experiences. I find the "get used to post op" a weak argument in that in the immediate post op times there isn't much that one feels like eating other than the soft/mushy/liquidy stuff for a while, though some programs have progression rates that are very much slower than others, so possibly those guys might need that transition (or it may make it worse.)

In any case, it is best to follow your program's guidelines. If they have a long and involved pre-op regimen, do it, as you want the surgeon as comfortable as possible when he is rooting around in your insides. If they have no pre-op diet, or a very short or simple one, don't worry about it as something longer or more involved is not needed for their program; the most successful programs that I have run across, both from the perspective of good long term results and low complication rates don't involve any pre-op diets other than the usual day before thing.

[istytehcrawk 256]

I did not. My program only required a 1400-calorie diet for the two weeks prior to surgery, but as RickM said, every program is different.

[magpie26 244]

I had a 2 week full liquid diet (the same one I would be doing 5-12 after surgery (1-4 clear liquids). The 2 week one was 1000 calories very low fat, very low carbs to shrink the liver. My surgeon said mine was smaller. I'm now on blended, in (ugh) 9 days I will be doing soft foods. Every surgeon/dietician is different. I'm amazed at the people who start off with Protein Shakes day 1 from the hospital! Your poor little stomach.

[postalmom 5]

I am doing a Protein Shake and clear liquid diet for one week and a sugar free clear liquid diet for 2 days before surgery. My problem is I can't find a Protein shake that isn't the most disgusting thing I've ever put in my mouth! Anyone have any suggestions? I'm on my fourth day of clear liquids.

[Frustr8 7,886]

I have svelte French vanilla organic Protein Shakes, not only can you not taste the soy in it, it tastes like homage cooked pudding. The downside? Not 30mg Protein like Premier and maybe harder to find🌝

[Frustr8 7,886]

That's HOMEMADE, not whatever this Chinese perfected cellphone with a spell correct demon inside it. Sorry😓

[dillydog 73]

My surgeon said no solids day before surgery and that was it.


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[alleamarie 40]

I start my 2 week liquid diet tomorrow

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