ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

I'm waiting for insurance approval for my REVISION from a very old, very bad VBG to an RNY. I've been reading the posts with so much interest!!! Y'all are wonderful and so informative...but I've been seeing something that makes my blood run cold. Do you really have to be on a liquids-only fast for TEN DAYS BEFORE SURGERY???? I just don't think I can do that! What is the reasoning behind that? I've had surgery many times, but I only went without food for 12 hours before each one! Help me understand this, and it would be nice if someone would say "no, it ain't so..." Anyway my surgeon is Dr Schumacher in Miamisburg--info anyone--

Yes, it really is beneficial to do this 10 days before surgery (and believe me, before I went through it, I was wishing someone would tell me "no, it ain't so" too!) It shrinks your liver and makes it much easier for the surgeon to manuver around inside. It also makes the transition after surgery (when you REALLY can only have liquids) much much easier. It jump starts your weight loss, which is a huge added bonus! I know some doctors don't require a pre-op diet, but I am thankful mine did... just hearing that it's possible to "knick your liver" gave me the heebie jeebies. Many people will do a self-imposed liquid diet even if their surgeon doesn't require one... it can't hurt and it certainly helps...

I wish I had been on liquid-only for 7-10 days before surgery. It would've avoided my trip to the ER when I was five days post-op. I had an impacted bowel, and the amount of raw sewage that came out of me was absolutely mindboggling. If I could rewind time, knowing what I know now, I would happily do a self-imposed liquid-only diet before my gastric bypass. Julie in Akron

I went to Dr. Fallang at Elizabeth Place in Dayton and did not have to do a liquid diet before surgery and everything was fine. I would have hated the liquids preop because the 4 weeks of liquids after (2 clear and 2 full) were plenty for me-but I believe very beneficial to the healing process. I can't understand the doctors who let people eat solids right after surgery. Oh, well, that's my opinion. Just to let you know, there is a Dayton support group that meets on a casual basis at the Dorothy Lane Market in Springboro on Saturday mornings-watch for posts on this site to set up a meeting. Nice group-any doctor. Hope we will be having a meeting soon. Are you having surgery at Sycamore? Chris

Yes, it will be Sycamore. Kettering Bariatrics (the group Dr Schumacher works out of) is in both Kettering Hospital and Sycamore...I'd prefer Kettering, so I do plan on asking him if I can have my surgery there instead, but it's no biggie. I'm not a support-group type person (I'm a strong introvert), but looking at this forum and getting tips and info IS my thing!!! I really appreciate anyone who answers questions and helps out. When did you have your surgery, and are you pleased with the results?

My doctor does not do the diet either. I cant eat past 5:00 PM the day before the surgery. Also from 5:Pm- To 12:00 is a liqued diet. after that is nothing. Take Care Barb

I talked with the exercise lady in my doctor's office yesterday--she told me Dr Schumacher doesn't do the liquid diet before surgery unless you are over a certain weight--and I'm under, so I won't be having to do it, apparently. Phew. Everyone at his office is proceeding just like I'm having surgery next week (which I think is wonderful, but my insurance request hasn't even been submitted yet) so they talk like I'm doing this immediately. I guess it's a 'get ready mentally' thing. I'm having a revision from an old VBG to a new RNY--and I don't know yet, but I assume that means this will not be done laproscopically. I might be staying in the hospital for 3-4 days?? I know so little, yet. I'll 'chime in' when I know more about what will happen to me. Cheers!

Good luck with your surgery. They can still do lap so you might ask the doc which way is he going.

Liquid diets are surgeon preference. Some surgeons believe that it will shrink the liver. Others use it to reduce some of the weight to hopefully make the surgery easier and at the very least maybe it keeps you from gaining any weight going into the procedure with the last minute jitters. I personally do not use it but those are the thoughts behind it. Laparoscopic revision from VBG to Gastric bypass is possible in selected patients. I hope that helps. Sincerely, Dr. Selwyn Assistant Professor of Surgery UC Center for Surgical Weight Loss.