Liquid diet before surgery?

Just curious if everyone is told to go on a special diet before surgery? I've read a lot of posts where people say they have to go on clear liquids 10 days prior... I was told to fast after midnight for a 9 AM open RNY on Dec 13.

Hello, I too am having open RNY on Dec. 11th. I am ordered to do clear liquids only for the two full days prior to surgery. I don't have to do the bowel prep, just 2 days pre-op liquids. I have chosen to do two weeks though, as I want to shrink my liver and lose a few pounds. Shrinking the liver can mean the difference between successful surgery and complications. Good luck!

I am scheduled for surgery on 12/8, and I will be starting my mandatory 8-day pre-op fast this Thursday--- which will consist of 6 packets of no-sugar-added Carnation Instant Breakfast , each mixed with 8 oz. 1% or skim milk. I am also allowed to drink sugar-free/fat-free non-carbonated clear beverages, and I can have sugar-free ice pops and jello-- that's it.

My doctor requires a one-month liver shrinking preop diet, which consists of low-fat, low-sodium ("Nothing out of a bag, box, or can," says the dietitian). It is an exchange diet, much like Weigh****chers or the Diabetic exchange diet. For RNY, a 3 day liquid diet is required. In addition to jello, popsicles, & unsweetened apple juice, the dietitian has said that an additional supplement would be Isopure clear protein drink from GNC. She gives this caveat--be sure and chill it well before you drink it. Recently when I prepped for a colonoscopy, I discovered that I could make wonderful fruit juice slushes with my Magic Bullet food processor. They made me feel less deprived. Good luck and God bless!

This is the first reply I've sent, or rather first anything I've done on this website. But to answer your question; Yes, I'm to start a pre op liquid diet tomorrow! YIKES! Anyway, it is only 3 slim fast type drinks (High Protien) and other liquids. I'm schedule for surgery Dec 12th! Good Luck to you!

My doctor told me to do liquids (not just clear, but OptiTrim also) for two weeks prior to surgery, and he said 3-4 weeks would be even better. It is so your internal organs (especially your liver) shrink and there is a much better chance of the surgery being able to be done laproscopically. I have surgery December 4th, so I am on my 4th week of liquids, and it is going fine. I have actually lost over 20 pounds these last 3 weeks. And it has kept me from overeating just because the surgery is coming up - a month of "last suppers". Good luck to you.

Hi, I'm having the lapband on Dec. 4th and my Dr. has had me on an all liquid ( 4 Optifast drinks per day and 1 Optifast candy bar) diet for the last 3 weeks. It's not hat bad. But I did eat a dinner on Thanksgiving. Best of luck with your surgery. Dan