Did everyone have to go on a diet before surgery?

[MissMe27 0]

If so, for how long?

I'm have so much back pain now, I was hoping I'd have the surgery in a couple of months the most.

But I'm just going to meet with the nutritionist tomorrow for the first time and the other 3 specialist next week... then I'll visit the surgeon for the second time in 3 weeks.

[princess070 0]

If so, for how long?

I'm have so much back pain now, I was hoping I'd have the surgery in a couple of months the most.

But I'm just going to meet with the nutritionist tomorrow for the first time and the other 3 specialist next week... then I'll visit the surgeon for the second time in 3 weeks.

Yes, I am being abanded Nov.28/08, and started my liquid diet last friday. I am on Optifast prescribed by my doctor.

I too have back pain, and I'm not sure why.

[travelinsnorkel 0]

I had no pre-op diet, just was told not to gain weight.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Some people have to do a certain amount of physician-supervised dieting in order to fulfill insurance requirements, depending on what insurance they have etc. That's different from "preop" dieting...some docs require a "preop diet" for various reasons; I had to do a 3-week one to shrink my liver. AND most require only liquids etc for a while then nothing just before surgery...that's not just bariatrics, though, but most surgeons want you empty before they operate, regardless. Not sure which type you meant in your question.

[Nibblet 0]

I don't have a pre-op diet. My surgeon asked that I lose 5 pounds before surgery as it helps shrink the liver and make the surgery easier.

[sue in ne 1]

Losing weight to shrink the liver is the goal pre-op. It isn't as bad as it sounds. Here they urge you to use Protein supplements to liquids with a goal of 70 G of protein a day. It REALLY does help with cravings, etc. I started using the protein and supplements prior to the 2 weeks of a partial liquid (Slimfast) diet. Have lost 27 # over 2 months, and 4# on Slimfast in 5 days, so far .

[TQUAD64 9]

Prior to surgery approval with my insurance, I had to do a 6-month supervised weigh in diet. Once surgery was approved, I had to do a two-week pre-op diet to shrink the liver for a better surgery outcome.

[Jess1982c 0]

If so, for how long?

I'm have so much back pain now, I was hoping I'd have the surgery in a couple of months the most. :drool:

But I'm just going to meet with the nutritionist tomorrow for the first time and the other 3 specialist next week... then I'll visit the surgeon for the second time in 3 weeks.

I have to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery. I have almost made it though the first week of the liquid diet.

[jazzyywan 0]

I didn't have to to a pre-op diet. The doctor told my not to gain anymore weight...

[WendyBlackheart 0]

My surgeon requires me to me a 2 week liquid diet (His offices uses Optifast, which I actually really like - some of the bars are super tasty). I'm on my second day of full Optifast - 4 shakes and 1 bar a day, plus broth and Jello if I want.

I was also told I needed to lose about 10% of my body weight before surgery, so while I was doing all my pre-surgical testing, I was doing Optifast 'lite' (2 shakes a day, 1 bar, a meal consisting of 4-6oz of Protein and 3 servings of veggies. (But no peas, yams or potatoes) I was also allowed 1 serving of fruit OR yogurt, and all the jello and broth I wanted.

So far I lost 14lbs, and I expect to lose another 10 by my surgery date, which is almost the 10% (I started this all at 264lbs)

I think that starting the diet before the 2 week liquid was a big help. I've cut back on most of my cravings, and I think its a good way to prepare for learning to eat well after surgery.

The two weeks of liquid should shrink the liver and such to make the surgery easier and safer.

Lol, I was doing so well on the Opti-lite, but as soon as they said to start on full liquid, I have a massive craving for a chimichanga! But its passing.

[Lunabeane 2]

10 day liquid diet pre-surgery. It was wretched but it was all worth it!

[JamieNP 20]

I was on it for a month. The book that the Surgeon's nutrition class gave said "one month". When I went in to my preop appointment they told me that was old. I only needed to be on it for a couple of days before. Oh well! It got me mentally prepared for surgery.

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

I had to lose 12 lbs. before surgery to "defat" my liver. I did it with regular dieting. It was hard but worth it.

[Annie0341 0]

I'm near the end of week 1 on my 4 week Medifast diet. shakes only, 5 a day or 500 calories. It is by far the toughest thing I have ever had to do. I have not cheated and so far have lost 10#. I just can't imagine 3 more weeks.BLAH!I just keep making myself see the long term goals.

[sue in ne 1]

The Surgeon has me on 2 weeks of 2 Slimfast and one reasonable meal/day. Lost 8 #. But they recommend adding Protein supplement it really cuts the hunger. For about 2 months prior, I got ready by switching to slimfast for Breakfast, boosting protein to 70 g/ day and upped the exercise- have lost 33 # overall .