Pre surgery liquid diet

Is the big thing with the pre surgery diet the protein amount?  I hate and I mean hate the taste of slim fast!  Slim fat in a the can has 15 grams and the powder only has 7 grams.  I have another drink that has 14 grams of protein in it if mixed with water and more if mixed with non fat milk. (That alone has 8 grams per serving)  Any suggestions? Meg PS - Christine and Nancy:  I live right by the both of you.  We should all get together some time.  Strength in numbers right?  Let me know!   

I think it's a combo of the protein and low calories.  Reducing your caloric prior to surgery helps your liver to shrink.  Since your liver sits right on top of your stomach, the smaller it is, the better, b/c the dr. can move around in there easier with the lapriscope.  When you have your scope done, ask Dr. H or the nurse that will be there.  You don't have to do JUST the slim fast shakes.  You can do the bars too.  Heck, call them up and ask if you're really worried about it.  It's better to get the advice from the horses mouth! Are you in knob or on base?   Take care!  Best wishes.  We'll meet soon.

Dr Hornbostel gives the choice of high protein or low carb slimfast, or boost glucous control. That being said, the boost is only 8 oz. vs 11 oz for the slimfast (and that 3 oz makes for 15 oz throughout the day, believe me you want every oz!)), You may find you don't hate the slimfast so much when it's the only calorie food your allowed, I am going on the second week of the diet and used to despise it also, now... I think I might love it!! every 3 hr.s , it does control the hungries . If you pour it out of the can ito a glass, it tastes much better. One more thing, the low carb slimfast has 20 g of protein , which makes no sense that it should be higher than the "high protein" funny. If the Dr let's you have something else, i'd sure like an update!  good luck, susan

  Good Morning!!!  I live in Knob...well, just outside Knob...we should get together...Had a great time with Christine....it was great to finally meet her.  About the liquid diet...Christine is right...it is about shrinking the liver...the liver reacts directly to fat intake and if you lose weight prior to surgery your liver is directly affected and shrinks...blah...blah...blah.  It also has to do with being at your utmost health with protein and vitamin intake.  Basically you are to be on 1000 calories and the easiest way to get the patients to comply with that is to tell them 5 cans of slimfast a day...that takes no thought.  You can also have the bars...but only 5 a day between cans and bars.  If you go the bar route just make sure you drink LOTS of water...you can also try blending the slimfast in a blender with some ice...that may cut the taste some and give you more volume.  Hang in there!  We've all had to do it....you will get through it.  Are you on base or Knob or where? Nancy

I am on base.  I don't have to start the liquid diet until 17 April (my surgery date is May 1st).  I am working on getting my supplies.  Also, what chewable calcium did you take?  Thanks for the information! Meg

I didn't do chewable calcium...I took tablets up until surgery and for after i have the liquid put out by Tropical Oasis...Have you ever taken a crushed vitamin??   I just went ahead and stocked up on everything before surgery and had it ready.    It seems that www.vitacost.com has the best prices on what I get...the nectar and the tropical oasis vitamin stuff.  I have their liquid calcium and B complex.  The B is a little bitter, but WAY better than the crushed version...it made me gag and i have a pretty strong stomach.  The calcium isn't bad at all...tastes like a sweet tart.  All the reading I did pre-op said that the liquid versions of vitamins absorb better because they are already broken down and ready to be absorbed and since our digestive system is kind of squirrely after surgery I didn't want to take any chances.  I can start taking tablets and cap again April 14, which is one month post op for me, but I still think i will do the liquid.  I have centrum chewables right now but will probably switch to the multivitamin liquid.  Did you get all that??? 

I found a web site that sells samples of the Nectar for $1.99.  This way we can try it before we but it!  The site is vitalady.com.    Meg