anyone NOT have to do bowel prep?

I do not have to do a bowel prep the day before and am wondering what the rest of you have to do. As an RN it makes me a little nervous knowing the whole purpose behind doing it. They said all I have to do is eat small meals the day before!! Bethannie

My surgeon, Dr. Argotte use to have everyone do the bowel prep. But he doesn't require it. But did state to me that if I was having constipation, or I might have a problem not going for about 10 days after surgery, then I could go ahead and do it, but it was all up to me. He does require a 2 week low-carb diet, which is to shrink your liver and help us that retain water. And eat small meals 2-3 days before surgery, and the day before to just be on a total liquid diet. I hope this helps you out. Sandy

I think I am going to try the liq. thing for the day before. That should help. Thanks for the reply.

I have to do it with a Lap band. It makes it lot easier afterward to avoid the pain of Gas. It is worth it! Barb

I have a question? How is gas in your abdomen going to give you gas in your colon? Because if you do a bowel prep, it only cleanse your colon. The gas in your abdomen will flow through your body and usually goes upwards and then your body will absorb the leftovers.

Teh the bowel pre helps with is inside the digestive systemAFTER surgery. It has nothing to do with the gas they use during surgery. There is a lot of stomach and intestinal gas and burping weeks after surgery and the bowel prep helps lessen that. Plus it makes it easier for the surgeon if there are complications. A brief inconvienience for a lot of benefits.

I had to do a full bowel cleansing for my colonoscopy. afterwards I told the Dr. that I could not do it again untill I had forgotten what it was like. My darie aire(sp) was so sore! teehee. Anyway I hope everything goes well for you.

I am having surgery on May 18th and all my prep is nothing by mouth after midnight the night before surgery. I too was worried and asked the doctor and he told me that he used to have people prep but it is not needed. So it seems to be one more thing to worry about ...

My doc told me to eat a nice breakfast, a light lunch and dinner with a Milk of Magnesia chaser the day before. Nothing after midnight and that was it. Problem was that I was have very loose movements even while in the pre-op holding area. Becky Jean

Hi Vicki Just want to let you know that, yes doing your liquid diet now does kind of show you how it's going to be.....but the huge difference is that afterwards, you won't be hungry! It's a lot easier watching the rest of your family eat - and yes, even cook for them when you aren't hungry. Just wanted to give you THAT to look forward to as well! Take care, Caren