pre-op diet????

I noticed on line that a lot of people have to go on a liguid diet for many days before there surgery. I only have to do it the day before. I was wondering what else everyone is doing pre-op. They have us do stage 1 all liguid for one day at home to see what it is like, then move on to stage 2- the mushy stuff- once at home and once at work again to see that we can do it. Finally they ask that you try to do stage 3- limited food- what you would be expected to eat after the surgery. For as much as possilbe. I have been on the vitimins- it only helps. They do ask that you try to lose a % of your body weight to make sure that your really dedicated to this. Just wondering what everyone else is up to. by the way my sugery is the 27th and I am so nervous....... bye my friends and good luck to all

Hi Donna, Nice to meet ya. I tell ya, every doctor is different. My doctor has me doing a 2 week high protein liquid diet consisting of low-carb slimfast, s.f. popsicles, broth, s.f. jello. It stinks, I tell ya. I'm so hungry, it's not funny!! But, I'll make it. I'm due for surgery on Monday and am very excited to start my new life. As far as supplements, I understand that they are chewable multivitamin1, 2x a day; some B vitamins, iron, calcium citrate 3 mos. out. I THINK that's it, but then I'm tired, so I may be forgetting something. Been at the hospital all day for pre-op jazz. After I get home: wk. 1-clear liquids; wk. 2-clear liquids and protein drinks; wk. 3-soft, mushy foods, then it just progresses. I hope that is some help. I just thought I'd give you my experience. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I'm sure you'll do great! Blessings, Kelly

Hi Donna, Kelly is sure right about each doctor being different. And ... each insurance company. My insurance company required me to do 6 months of once a month private sessions with a dietician to learn to eat the "new way" ..six small meals a day .... chew, chew, chew.....sip water, sip water, sip water....exercise, exercise ... etc. My doctor did not require ANY pre-op eating plan ...and only suggested that it would be better for him and me if I just had a light dinner on Monday night before my Tuesday morning surgery. My BMI is 44+ so perhaps that makes a difference .....and I lost 10% of my body weight from the 6 month eating plan the insurance company requires so perhaps he took that into account. Also ... my surgery is open so he can "get my organs into his hands" and my surgeon does 12-15 of these procedures every week. He will only do open and only with the same team of assistant, nurse and anethesiologist every time. Post-op requirement is 3-5 days in the hospital ...then full liquid/pureed foods from the time I go home to the 8 week mark. Monthly group meetings with the nutritionist lead support group. Daily mulitvitamins, B-1, B-12 and calcium. As we say .... see you on the loosing side. Jody

Hey its kind of cool to see the differences. I am on the Daily multi, B- complex, Calcuim citrate-- plus b12 once a week. Iron after if needed. My BMI is also 44 and I have lost 20 lbs so far. I have been practicing the chew,chew. All the post ops at group are so into making sure that you chew lots. The post diets are similar. Only we are told vitmins for life. d

Hey Donna, I was meant to be on Optifast (which apparentley is like slim fast for 6 weeks before although the doc is pretty flexible). However, have come down with a head cold and i am having surgery on monday so the diet is oranges, chicken and veg puree soup, water and lemsip. They prefer you to go on it because it helps with recovery so i have been told and reduces the amount of fat on the liver which they have to go past for an rny. Anyway good luck dont know if my rambling helped but good luck all the same Allyson