The week before surgery

I have read that people are on a liquid Diet about a week or two before surgery. I was wondering why that is. I am having my surgery on Thursday and they have not told me any limitations. Should there be something that I should be asking?

I think all doctors are different, but as far as mine, he had me do the liquid thingy because he wanted to me loose  before surgery. If you loose before surgery, then the liver shrinks a little bit and is it better for them to see and move around in your stomach. It is not bad, at least it wasn't for me,because I knew that I was doing it to help the doctor and for my safety. Hope all goes well with you, keep us posted on your progress. Cheryl.

Like Cheryl said, each doc is different.  I didn't have to do the liquid diet, just full liquids for two days before surgery.  it won't hurt to call and check with the surgeon office before surgery to be sure what you are suppose to do.

Darlene

My doctor had me replace 2 meals w/ Slimfast Low-Carb shakes and eat one Lean cuisine-type meal for the 3rd meal for a week, then move to 4 SF L-C shakes/day for most of the last week, with clear liquids (water, decaf tea and coffee) for 2 days. Again, it was to shrink the liver. But I have heard that some doctors don't require it. Just double-check with your doctor -- he may be one that doesn't require it. Also, if you're big on cokes, start weaning yourself now cuz there will be NO carbonated beverages after surgery! Just my 2-cents worth... ~ Tara

Yeah my last one ( Diet DP)was today I just hope it wasn't too late.

T hanks Ill call the Dr Monday

I Had an liquid diet 8 days before surgery but if your doctor has not mentioned it you may not have to worry about it. Lucky you.. :  )

I have surgery on the 29th too, but I have mine at Centennial with Dr. Dyer and he does require a week of the full liquids before surgery.  I'm on my third day right now...it's not been to bad.  I've been filling up mostly on protein shakes, they are keeping me pretty full.  The important thing about them is to find you one that you really like the taste of.  But, getting back to your question as of why they do this, the liquid diet, it's like others have already mentioned, to shrink your liver so they can manoover around it during surgery.  Calling your Dr is probably the best thing.  Then IF he does want you to do it, you can at least get in a couple of days of full liquids before surgery.  That would help some.  Good Luck with everything!!! Hugs, Tammy P pre-op 4 days and counting 526/288.6

Wow. You do not have to do a liquid diet. Lucky you. Does that mean you have to do a "clean out" the day before surgery? With the liquid diet, i did not have to do the whole drink the nasty stuff and clean out so I wonder if you have to. Every surgeon is different. My mom only had to not eat for 2 days prior to surgery. I had to do a liquid diet for 8 days and another hospital is for two weeks (except the first week you can eat one "meal" lean cuisnes thing). So it just all depends on who you go to. It is primarily to reduce the size of your liver so it does not interfere with the lap surgery.