pre op diet necessary?

[Curesmile 0]

Is it true that depends on your BMI if you need to do the pre op diet? I was told I didnt need it.

[*slim* 2]

I am sure BMI plays a part in deciding if you have to do a pre-op diet. As long as your doctor said you don't have to have one, then you are ok. I am not sure the exact guidelines. I will say this, if a doctor tells someone to follow a specific pre-op diet, it is to their advantage to follow it to the letter. The diet is done to shrink the liver to make it safer to move during surgery. There have been some that didn't follow their prescribed diet and woke up without their band. I know that doesn't apply to you since you have been told you didn't need one, but that is for any others that may read this who are required to do one.

[HALO74 0]

I am a low BMIer of 37 and I'm still required to do the 14 day liquid diet... this is day 6! My doctor requires EVERYONE to do it. So, to be honest, I think maybe it just depends on the doctor. Scheduled for the 19th!

[LisaRT 0]

My BMI is in the 40's but I'm not on a pre-op diet. I just have to drink Clear liquids the day before surgery. I guess it depends on the Doctor.

Lisa

[nfl1 0]

I'm being banded Jan 20 and am on day 5, I'm a BMI 53, but my doc has everyone follow the same 2 week pre-op liquid diet regardless of size or band vs. RNY.

[Donnainva 0]

The pre-op diet (as I understand it) is to help make your liver smaller so the surgeon can get to where he need to, easier.

I have no idea if a smaller BMI means a smaller liver, but I doubt it.

My surgeon requires it for everyone.

[Big08 0]

I am finishing day 3 of my liquid diet, as my surgeon also requires it of everyone regardless of BMI. The nurses at the office did however indicate that most people cheat and that they are really looking for a solid 10 days. Thus far it has been difficult but not unbearable. I am told the first 3 days are the toughest, I hope that's true. So far I have dropped 8 pounds in 3 days, but I have always lost quickly at the beginning of diets.

[TQUAD64 9]

Is it true that depends on your BMI if you need to do the pre op diet? I was told I didnt need it.

I would say the truth lies in what your doctor wants for you. Many LBT posters were not required to do the pre-op diet even though they had a BMI over 40. Whereas, other LBT posters had to do a pre-op diet.

Really it is up to your doctor what she/he wants you to do.

[Curesmile 0]

Thanks for all your responses, I just looked at my paperwork and my BMI is 43.1 , i'm seeing Dr. Terry Simpson in Phoenix , AZ. He has great websites if you do a search he's all over the internet , I hd a consult with another Doctor and it just didn't feel right, Dr. Simpsons was total opposite. They did both say I ddn't need to do the pre-op diet though, even though a partient at work refered me to the other Dr. and she had to do the diet. Do you all think it might have to do with conditions people have? I'm thinking maybe it wouldn't hurt to just do it anyway??? What do you guys use as your liquids? My friend told me about some shake that her sister n law used before gastric bypass surgery , go to google and type in "all the whey". I'm getting a bit concerned about the vomiting and the bile coming up when people to to sleep. Im trying to prevent illness not get ill. I guess i'm trying to convince myself. I have an appt with my primary provider to get a referal letter for the insurance. Thats about all I need. Anyway all comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks! Sonya

[HALO74 0]

I have no comorbities and BMI of 37 and still had to do my 2 week liquid diet. They told me like many others to shrink my liver and also stated that it would help out with the healing... high protein... not so bad that I'm on the downside of it now 4.5 days left on it! YIPPEE:lol:

[JillBengt 0]

I have the same BMI (43). My doctor suggests a low calorie diet 2-4 weeks in advance but only requires 2 days of liquid before the surgery. I was told that the pre-diet would not only help reduce the liver but it would also get your body prepared for life after surgery (which means 2 more weeks of liquid diet post-op).

My abdominal ultrasound a few months ago showed a fatty liver. I did the 2 week 800 calorie diet, lost 18 pounds then had surgery yesterday. My surgeon said my liver looked perfectly healthy, no fatty tissues at all.

For that reason, I think a pre-diet is a great thing. But I will be the first to say it wasn't easy. The first few days I felt like a drug addict in withdrawl. To make matters worse, I still had to cook meals for my three children and my husband. But I stuck to it and I am very happy with the results.

[HeavensAngel1978 0]

Can you please give me an idea of the types of things you ate on your pre op diet. My surgery is on the 23rd(next Fri) and I have been eating salads and drinking lots of Water and Protein Shakes. I had my preop today and found that I lost 8 lbs. I just don't want to find out that my liver hasn't shrunk enough to get banded. I'd be devastated. Only have 8 more days til surgery. Do you think its possible that my liver will have shrunk enough?

I have the same BMI (43). My doctor suggests a low calorie diet 2-4 weeks in advance but only requires 2 days of liquid before the surgery. I was told that the pre-diet would not only help reduce the liver but it would also get your body prepared for life after surgery (which means 2 more weeks of liquid diet post-op).

My abdominal ultrasound a few months ago showed a fatty liver. I did the 2 week 800 calorie diet, lost 18 pounds then had surgery yesterday. My surgeon said my liver looked perfectly healthy, no fatty tissues at all.

For that reason, I think a pre-diet is a great thing. But I will be the first to say it wasn't easy. The first few days I felt like a drug addict in withdrawl. To make matters worse, I still had to cook meals for my three children and my husband. But I stuck to it and I am very happy with the results.

[JillBengt 0]

HeavensAngel1978,

I think it is definately possible to shrink your liver. This is how it was described to me. When you go on an 800 calorie diet, your body rebels. It can't survive on those calories alone so it takes the fat you have stored and burns it in place of extra calories. Even a few pounds of weight loss will help rid fat from the liver.

I did an 800 calorie diet with all liquids except for the addition of cottage cheese (I just needed something to chew). The two days before surgery however, I switched to pure liquids just as my doctor ordered. I experimented with several Protein Shakes (Bariatric Advantage and Atkins) but hated them. Then I discovered the Protein Drinks from costco called Premier Nutrition. These drinks became my lifesaver. They have 1 gram of sugar, 160 calories and 30 Protein. They actually taste pretty good too!

What I did was have one for Breakfast. One around 2:00p.m. and then another at 8:00 p.m. I actually wrote a thread a few days ago detailing exactly what I ate and at what times. Try clicking on my name and searching the post about a pre-op diet. If you can't find it write me back and I will detail it for you again.

I think you are off to a great start! 8 pounds in one week is excellent. I bet you have already shrunk your liver so keep at it. Also try walking as much as you can. I walked for at least 30 minutes every day during those two weeks. Keep up the great work.

[Jachut 487]

My doc didnt need me to do it because i had a BMI of 35 and i had by chance had a liver ultrasound (my GP sent me for every test imaginable when he wrote my referral) and there was test results showing that I didnt have an enlarged or fatty liver.

DH had a BMI of 35 but knew he had a fatty liver (from previous testing) so he DID have to do it.

I was just lucky. If I hadnt had the liver ultrasound and liver enzyme tests, I would have had to do it.

[Jusi41 0]

I was told the pre-opt diet was to reduce the amount of fat around the liver. The amount of fat around this organ, can complicate the surgurial process.