Somewhat Confused

[sweetbean70 2]

I have to admit to being somewhat confused by all the different pre/post diets being posted on this site. I had to do a 2 week pre-op diet of Medifast and Healthwise products. I have read on this site that some have had to do a "liquids only" pre-op diet anywhere from 24 hours to 4 weeks before their surgeries. A few lucky souls only had to stop eating and drinking after midnight the day of their surgeries! I realize that the duration of most pre-op diets is usually based on a person's BMI.

The post-op diet seems to be totally at the surgeon's discretion. I was allowed only Clear Liquids the day of my surgery (June 8). The day after surgery, I was allowed to indulge in full liquids/soft foods. This coming week, I can eat anything that has been put into a blender as long as I can tolerate it. I have been reading posts on this site that have people on clear liquids for up to 2 weeks after their surgery and then 2 weeks of "mushies" after that. It will be going on week 5 post op before they can even try anything that I'm allowed to have my 2nd week post op!

Can anyone shed some light on this topic for me???

[carbgrl 0]

I did a 2 wk Optifast diet. I think the pre and post op diet depends on the surgeon. What kind of Healthwise products did you have to take before surgery? I'm curious.

[ReadyOrNot 0]

I thought it was strange that there are such big differences in the pre and post op diets as well, I think it is because there are no set ground rules for this surgery yet that are widely accepted, I think each doctor does what he/she thinks works best for their patients. I was lucky enough to get a doctor that didn't require the 2 week pre-op diet, and had a relatively fast moving post-op diet, not quite as fast moving as yours though! That would have made recovery much easier for sure! Good luck to you!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I had a longer preop diet but I also had a very thick liver that needed shrinking. When I "cheated" (because no one ELSE had such a long preop diet) I didn't get banded. I did what I was told and got the band the 2nd time.

Take home from this is...forget the anecdotal "evidence" you read on here and do what YOUR surgeon tells you. If you doubt your surgeon's thinking, ask HIM/HER what the rationale is.

I agree 100% with the poster who said each surgeon seems to do what he/she thinks will work best for his/her patients. They are all different...different styles, different practices and clientele, different experiences. You are paying a lot for that expertise (or your ins is) so use it.

[Headhunter 6]

forget the anecdotal "evidence" you read on here and do what YOUR surgeon tells you. If you doubt your surgeon's thinking, ask HIM/HER what the rationale is.

I agree 100% with the poster who said each surgeon seems to do what he/she thinks will work best for his/her patients. They are all different...different styles, different practices and clientele, different experiences. You are paying a lot for that expertise (or your ins is) so use it.

Yes. Listen to My Monkey! :bored:

Different Drs do different things, based upon their experience. As it has been mentioned, this is still kind of a new surgery in many respects, and they are still developing standards.

HH