Hey all! Question for those on a Pre-Op diet.

Hi! I'm Misty, scheduled for a lap rny on May 11th I'm currently on my ten day pre-op liquid diet, but it's a weird one. I can have all the standard clear liquids, and FRUIT?? If I can have fruit, why couldn't I have a plain salad? I'm going to call on Monday, but it just makes no sense to me? I really don't care for fruit, but love veggies, so if I can substitute them, I'd like to I'd love to hear what you guys are doing, and feel free to reply if you share my surgery date! I'm looking for all the support (both to give and to receive) I can find! Hope to see you all on the losing side!

Hi Misty, My surgeon places all his patients on an Optifast diet for 3 to 4 weeks before surgery. I just finished Day 4 of mine. I have 5 Optifast drinks, spaced throughout the day. Also, I have one meal, consisting of 4 oz. protein, 1 cup of vegetables, 1 teaspoon fat, and 1 piece of fruit. I can have unlimited sugar-free posicles, pickles, celery, and cucumbers. Each surgeon's plan is different, and it's important for you to do what your surgeon recommends. Glad you're going to check with the office on Monday! Good luck! Dawn

Hi Misty, I was on Opti-Fast for 13 days pre-op and it was very rough for the first few days. I was supposed to take 4 shakes throughout the day, however i could never find a way to get that fourth shake down, so i was basically on 3 shakes a day, plus i drank a bowl of chicken broth at night. It was not fun, but necessary for a few reason, IMHO. The first is that they want your liver to shrink, so that during surgery, they can move around your liver in order to do the operation and the smaller your liver, the easier it is to move and the less chances of damaging the liver during the process. Second, i believe that it is pure mental prep for breaking old eating habits and quantities so that POST-OP, your transition will be that much easier. I'm a skeptical guy by nauture, but think that having been on liquids pre-op, has gotten my bodu 'used' to the reduced calories, no chewing and as a result, has made my leap from pre-op to post-op much easier. Good luck and take care, Clifford

Every doc is different. I started my diet last Monday. It is a 2 week diet and consists of Protein drink in am, a Protein drink midday, and 4 oz. of protein w/small amounts of vege in pm. with at least 64 oz. of water throughout the day. You may want to call him before you do something drastic and sacrifice your surgery date. Take care of you, Debbie