Liquid Diet before surgery?

I'm just wondering if its possible to start liquid diet before surgery? I know the doctor sometimes gives you the drinks but can you buy them and start on your own without doctor approval? Where can you purchase them and how much do they cost?

Hi Misha.  Our doctor doesn't do the liquid diet before surgery, but I am sure if you want to your doctor would be willing to help.....good luck.  Do you have surgery scheduled?

Hey! My name is Echo - I am Dr. *****ett / Dr. Tribble's (of Columbia) patient. I have to start a liquid diet the day before my surgery. Here is a list of what they gave me that I could have... strained fruit juices w/o pulp (apple, white grape, lemonade) water clear broth or bouillon coffee or tea (w/o milk or non-dairy creamer) All of the following that are NOT colored red or purple: gatorade carbonated / non-carbonated soft drinks kool-aid (or other fruit flavored drinks) plain jell-o (w/o fruit or toppings added) ice popsicles I hope this helps...

No, I'm not scheduled yet, but I was just approved to get back on Medicaid the other day. I turned in my initial paperwork and registration fee yesterday, so hopefully I will hear something back from them soon. I know it's not a requirement to go on a liquid diet so soon but I wanted to do something to get things going before seeing the doctor. I was watching Big Medicine and I noticed some people were drinking their meals. Is that an option without a prescription from the doctor?

I just met with my NUT today, and I'm starting on a "Pre-op" diet (tomorrow).  It consists of a protien drink for breakfast and lunch followed by a "sensable" supper along with a snack.  They say that with this diet, it is possible to loose as much as 40lbs before surgery.  I'm starting a little early because the bulk of my "flab" is high up, and I need to loose as much as possible so that they will be able to do a lap, as opposed to an open RNY.  I'd much rather have the lap.  I'd let you know what drinks we purchased from the doctor's office, but they're in my wife's car.  I'm not scheduled yet, but it'll probably be sometime in April.

Thank you, Echo and HensleyDL. That is the type of info I'm looking for. I was hoping to start on the pre-op diet sooner than later because of my situation as well. I've had open surgeries before and it would be good this time to have a lap surgery. Do you remember how much the drinks cost and if Medicaid covers it?

The total price for the drinks - snacks for the 4 weeks cost about $200.  That broke down to about $5.75 per day (not too bad).  My NUT told me that there is a good protien drink sold at Wal-Mart at a good price that comes in about 20 different flavors.  Sorry, but I'm not sure on Medicare, you might want to talk to your sugeon or NUT and see if they have any samples or coupons. (I've seen a couple on this site).  Good luck on your journey!! One thing to add... If you do go on the liquid (protien) diet, PLEASE be careful!  If you are diabetic, you need to monitor your blood sugars extra carefully or you could get yourself in trouble (too much insulin).  So just be careful when undertaking this diet, you don't want to get yourself into any problems.