surgery prep question

I'm scheduled for surgery on May 13th and my doctor did not say I have any "prep" before surgery. I'm reading a lot of posts about people having to go on a liquid diet before surgery. Is there anyone out there that didn't have to do this.

There are many that don't have to do anything other than stop eating after a certain hour the day before the surgery. I have to have a 10% weight loss before surgery, liquid diet and do a bowel prep too. Oh boy! Each surgeon is different. You'll find the same diversity among post-op diets too. Some surgeons say 3 meals a day, some say 5 small ones. Some have you on liquid diets post-op, some put you on soft foods right away. Basically there are no standards for this. Good luck! I'm one week after ya! Best wishes, Kathy

My Dr. required 2 days clear liquids and a bowel prep. Even thouigh the surgeon does not deal with that part of the anatomy directly, it will make it a LOT easier for you after surgery. It reduces gas and clears the system which will be traumatized during the surgery. Recovery will be easier. And we're going to have enouigh problems - so why not make it as easy as possible. Barb in CA

I had to go on a 1000 cal a day diet and then on Thursday at 3 I have to take Fleet Phospho soda or suttin like that and then stay on liquids the rest of the day. Then nothing after midnight for my surgery on Friday good luck hun hugsssss Krista 3 days and counting

I am having my surgery on Friday May 6th by Dr Mikami at OSU. I havent been told of any special preps other than no food or drink after midnight the night before. This is really sinking in that this is really really going to happen.. My family has made it clear they want no part of this, so I feel like a bad kid sneaking off to the hospital and hiding out for 4 days. LOL They think the Gastric Bypass is the easy way out and that I dont have to strength to lose weight on my own. Phissaw... The WLS is just a tool to allow me the chance to make this happen and save my life. Hugs Laura

Hi Laura I hate to be harsh, but shame on your family for putting you down when they need your support the most! You're taking a positive step to improve life for yourself (and by extension, for them). As for it being the easy way out, all of us here know it's drastic but not easy. You might point that out when someone who's in denial about you even having surgery offers you something sweet... "Sorry, I can't have that because of my surgery... you think it's easy now?" Just know that you have all the support in the world here! Hopefully your family will come around. You're in all our thoughts and prayers. Joe

I have the same thing with my mom. She is 100% not speaking to me since I told her about it. She is not so mad that it is the easy way out but seems mad that it is risky and that I don't know the out come. I keep trying to tell her that no one knows the outcome of anything they do but we take risks everyday. Just be comforted in knowing that you are not alone in this and that there are more of us that understand why you need to do this. Good luck tomorrow!!! Meg

My surgeon simply said not to eat or drink anything after midnight, but I very much wanted to "clear my system" for a couple of reasons. The main one is... if I'm going to be in discomfort for a few weeks, I don't want to have to mess around "back there" any more than necessary. If nothing is in and nothing is going in, nothing should be coming out. 'Nuff said? Ask your surgeon if this is allowed (mine said sure). If you buy a Fleet phosphosoda, the instructions will tell you all you need to know. It includes eating just a light breakfast and drinking a lot of water the day before. I hope everything goes well for you! Joe

I've been researching the lap-band for 5 months now, and 80% of the research says that there will be a 1 week liquid diet before surgery. The reason is that your liver can be VERY difficult to get around, so the liquid diet will allow it to shrink. The bowel cleansing is not too important, but why not, you should clean your bowels out every 3 months just like a oil flush for your car. I go an extra step and clean out Mucoid Palque. This is the cleanser that cleanses WAY UP the intestines and expels a green like mucussy membraine that cleanse out from 25 years ago. Its a 5-7 day program, and by the 3rd day you expel. Very entrasting. -Lea

Hi Lea This was the first time I'd ever seen the term "mucoid plaque," so I decided to do a little research. I found nothing on any reputable mainstream sites (NIH, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, WebMD). Hence, I am sceptical. I would say "what can it hurt?" but I'm not sure that's the case either. Please be careful. Since you're having banding, I can't see where it would make any difference for surgery purposes. Good luck! Joe