What is a liver shrinking diet.

I have read in several posts a term liver shrinking diet and I don't understand what it is.  I am just begining to start looking into the WLS process and if this is something that I can sorta follow on my own and get a jump start to the whole process, then it would be very nice.

Thanks for any input.

Welcome Jaya. My surgeon had me on the liver shrinking diet for the 2 weeks before surgery. It consisted of drinking slim fast and one meal a day. It helps to shrink the liver so you have fewer complication risks. Every surgeon is different though.

But since you are just starting your journey I would just suggest to start out by exercising. I started by parking my car in the back of every parking lot and walking that way. Also cleaned out my kitchen of all the "bad" food so less temptation.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions you might have!

As obese people we all have fatty livers.  When we do a liver shrinking diet we are reducing the size of the liver, which is located near the area to be surgically altered, thus giving the doctor a bit more room inside your stomach cavity to manuever without fear of damaging the liver or other organs.  This makes the surgery safer for you.  Rapid weight loss is what makes the liver shrink.  Most surgeons today require some kind of pre-op liver shrinking diet.  Mine consisted of 5 protein shakes per day for two weeks.  I dropped about 20lbs in those two weeks.  I hope this helps explain!  :)

The ladies above explained it well.  Just wanted to drop by and say welcome to the VA board! lys

My doc has me on my liver shrinking diet now, since I will have surgery on Tuesday Fed 24, what he has me doing is a modified Atkins diet. I am to to get 70 grams of protein and only 30 grams of carbs, because according to him, restricting your carb intake is the only way to shrink the liver.

Everyone explained it well.   Modified Adkins  70 grams protien and 30 grams carbs.  I lost 32 lbs before surgery.    The more weight you get off the better for your surgery. 

Welcome the the VA Boards.   Good luck with your research.  

Thanks for all the information. I am waiting to get insurance thru work and start the process. In the meantime I will start some exercise and probably one of the diets, atkins or south beach.....

I am late in posting due to family issies...sorry!  I am usually pretty good at posting regurlary!  Just wanted to welcome you to the boards!  The others have given you a pretty good idea of what it is and what it is for.  I personally did not have to do it.  My surgeon does require it now.