Too late???

Ok, so I'm freaking out! I've been preparing myself for almost 9 months now to have my RNY surgery, which is scheduled for 2 days from now. At my pre-op appointment 2 weeks ago my doctor said that I did not need to follow any special diet before surgery, but eat moderately and "don't gain any more weight." The reason he gave me for not having to follow a pre-op diet was because of my BMI (46) and because I don't carry my weight around my middle.  I've also been reading a lot more posts about people who didn't follow a pre-op liquid diet and ended up having to be opened up during surgery instead of having it done lapriscopically. I don't want that to happen! Have any of you been in a similar situation? (46 BMI, no pre-op diet)  I thought I had this all figured out and ready to go, but now I am totally freaking out! Oh, and I just got on the scale and up 3 pounds! I have no idea what happened because I've been very careful!

Dont stress. Do a bowel pre and if it is stressing you that much, go to a liquid diet. Do low carb, low sugar protein drinks, broth, jello. If they dont require the pre op diet then I wouldnt see why they wouldnt do the surgery. It happens, people gain and lose weight with stress.

My doctor doesn't have us do the 2 week pre op liquid diet only... just a 24 hour liquid diet and bowel prep...   My BMI is 46 too... I have to wait until Sept for my surgery as I have to do the 6 month insurance requirements.

April

Take a deep breath... It is not very common for a surgeon to have to convert someone's surgery from lap to open (so I am not sure where you are reading "a lot more posts" about this happening).  Usually, when it DOES happen, it has nothing to do with whether or not they did a pre-op diet to shrink the liver (although that IS sometimes the issue).  It usually has to do with other types of issues that make it difficult to maneuver the instruments or see what the surgeon needs to see.  Scar tissue from previous surgeries can be a significant problem as can an excessive amount of fat in the abdomen.  My surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet because she said that just a 2-week diet doesn't shrink the liver significantly anyway, that it would take closer to 4 weeks to do that. (Obviously I don't know if that is true, but that is what she believes.)

You have to trust your surgeons's judgment. Do a lot of his patients have their lap surgeries converted to open?  If you don't trust his judgment, you may want to consider another surgeon.  

Lora

I did not have to do a pre-op liquid diet just no potatoes, breads, pasta or rice.  I could have chicken, veggies, fruits, yogurts sf jello and then the the 24 hour prior clear liquids and bowel prep. Before the surgery, most surgeons do have you sign paper work that lets you know they may have to do the open procedure in case of problems and that you are aware o this and sign off on it that you give your approval.  I know it's hard not to stress about all of this but as the posters said above if your surgeon doesn't require it than that would be good enough for me.  Don't ask me why so many surgeons have different protocols and I think it's ludicrous but each have their own way of what they think works the best.  Good luck and keep us posted.  Jane

There are lots of us that never had a pre-op diet, no bowel prep and had perfectly normal surgeries (mine was 40 mins), uncomplicated recoveries with no protein shakes or bars and who live relatively normal lives.   I have done so for almost 9 years.

Listen to your surgeon and not Miss Know It All's on here that think everyone has to do this the same way as them!!!!  I'll hazard a guess that THEY won't still be here years after their "perfect" preparations, surgeries and post op lifestyles  ...

Most of the people that post prolifically (almost to the point of spam) don't hang around - they give us all the benefit of their vast few weeks experience and then disappear, never to be seen again.

My advice?   Consider the posters who answer your questions - what is their experience and how much do they REALLY know?

So true! Thanks for the advice!

Stress is your worst enemy!! Just calm down drink plenty of water and walk and it will be fine! You got this girl!! Good luck!

Thank you!!! I needed to see that verse too... "I can do all things through CHRIST who gives me strength!"

I had my RnY on 4/9/13- and I didn't have to do any special diet before-hand- just no high fat stuff. I had no problems with surgery- or afterwards.  

My only word of advice- DON'T do what I did- had the "one last hamburger" the day before surgery. Let me tell you- that beef took a long time to process through- and post-op- I was sorry I had eaten it!  : (

 

There is no harm in eating lightly/more liquids/soft until surgery. Good luck! You'll do well!