Liquid Diet

Ok, I see this written a lot...about the liquid diets.  how long are you on this?  Clear liquids, any liquids?  Why?  Any info would be helpful....just need to collect all the info I can get... :) Thanx

It's different for everyone. Some don't even have to do the liquid diet. I've been on the different forums for a while now and the longest i've heard of was 3 weeks.

The liquid diet consist of all the 0 cal drinks you want and also anywhere from 3-5 Boost/Ensure, you can also have coffee and sugar free jello.

The Surgeons main reason that I know of for a liquid diet is to shrink your liver and boost your weight lost before surgery.  I don't have to do a liquid diet so I am quite thankful for that.

Maybe some of the other gals may have more to add but this is what I know.

Kee

Liquid diet is for people that have to lose some weight or maintain the weight that they are at and to decrease the size of your liver (if it's too big they cannot access your stomach and the surgery can be cancelled which you don't know that you didn't have the surgery until you wake up in recovery) anywhere from one to three weeks prior to surgery.  Your dietician will advise you as to what the restrictions are regarding fluid intake while on liquid diet.  My hubby had to drink 6 ensure (high protein ones) per day and only 2 glasses of water.  He could also have only 5 ensure, 1 c  of 1% or skim milk and 1 glass of water a day.  That didn't work for him because he works in an environment that is very hot (45degrees on a cool day and 75 degrees on a day thats 30 degrees outside) and with the heat he was becoming dehydrated.  Unfortunately the dieticians don't really know what your real world entails so you have to tell them what works and doesn't work.  It is really hard to stay on that liquid diet if you are around people that can still eat.  I know one shouldn't cheat but in the name of sanity one can if it is done in extreme moderation and only once a week. 
Not everyone has to do the liquid diet..I was one of the fortunate that didn't have to be on that liquid diet..but i do know how hard it was for my hubby to be on it.

The liquid diet really is different for everyone. I had to have 5 high protein ensure daily and anything else that was a liquid and zero calories. I was on my liquid diet for 2 weeks. Now I can't even look at ensure or I get sick. So it really depends on the person.

 The biggest reason I think is to shrink your liver is your a larger person to help with surgery .. Another reason is to help with  your after surgery,, ( getting used to eating   / very little..


I did liquid ( kigh protien) for aoubt 17 days prior to surgery. I had 5 Glucerna's ( started with Ensure). then I would have 2 yogurt total of 100 calories.. that was it.. Oh and water.. lots of water..

 then after surgery due to issues I went back on a somewhat liquid diet and still am on 3 Glucerna a day just to get the protien in.. I have clam chowder and I have 1/2 of ceral and milk.. oh and 3 fruits a day.. so I normally have peach/ plum  without skin,

 BTW:   I had surgery again 2 wks ago and I was told my liver is not so fatty any more and going down tremendously.. So it must be working...

 Hope this helps