Question:
Has anyone's surgery been cancelled because they couldn't follow the stricked 1000 ca

diet a week before surgery? I"m trying really hard to stick to it but I'm starving! I'm scared that my surgeon won't be able to do the surgery because I couldn't stick to the pre-op diet.    — suzytil (posted on September 17, 2008)

September 17, 2008
It is a very challenging pre-op diet for sure. But, it is extremely important for many reasons. Your body needs to get used to restricted intake amounts and caloric intake, your liver needs to shrink down so that you have a much better chance of having laparoscopic surgery rather than open surgery, and so that you can prove to him and yourself that you are committed to the process and will follow his rules that he gives you to be successfull. It is extremely important to follow the diet. Going off it for a bite or two or a meal is probably not going to hinder your process, however, it is ultimately up to your surgeon. If you cheat the entire week, I'm not so sure. My surgeon had us stop in at his office on the way to the hospital and weigh in and if we hadn't lost and/or gained, our surgery would be cancelled. He doesn't play around. I strongly urge you to decide if this surgery is for you, and, if it really is, get back on track and do what you have to do to reach your goals. If you are hungry- drink, drink, drink... perhaps call the nutritionist/surgeon and see if you could add a protein drink or something. May be a shot, but, probably not. Ultimately, their opinion is, if you can't follow a diet for a few days for a surgery that you really need and want, how committed are you going to be after surgery? To be successfull in the long run, you have to commit and completely change your life. 10% surgical tool, 90% mental work and not just until you reach your goal weight, forever. I hope I didn't sound harsh, just being honest and you need to understand the seriousness of this surgery and how much work it is. Good luck to you, please do some sole searching and do what you need to do. Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

September 17, 2008
Just a week before surgery??? My doctor made me do a two week liquid diet prior to surgery. You can do it. Just keep your thoughts on the final outcome... Tim
   — newwinetbc

September 17, 2008
I may be wrong, but am offering my opinion.... I think they know and expect that some, maybe even many, patients will slip up a bit, but they want to see an effort made. Try your best, and keep trying. If you fall off the horse, get back on it. I suspect they aren't looking for perfection, but rather for a concerted effort on your part. I "messed up" too with my pre-surgery diet, but I kept trying, and no, they did not cancel my surgery.......
   — Gina S.

September 17, 2008
added comment: You need to lose weight before surgery to shrink your liver; this helps make your surgery safer. Even a few pounds lost helps.... So, keep trying, and when you feel hungry, drink sugar-free liquids instead, or sugar-free popsicles.
   — Gina S.

September 17, 2008
They almost canceled my husbands surgery because he cheated on one of the days that week. Our dr will not do an OPEN RNY on anyone. He said if he got in there and the liver was to big for it to be safe laproscopically and the bowel was not in the right condition then he would not complete the operation. Im on the liquid portion right now....I tell you I am eating jello jello jello....and the popcycles seem to help a little for the "bite". Knorr has a tomato broth cube that seems to satisfy my "beefy" side. The hot broth where I have to sip it seems to help me feel like I am eating. I have lost 4 lbs so far on it and I still have 4 more days to go. Hang in there one hour at a time!! It will be worth it-- husband been out for two week and has lost 30lbs!! I cant wait to catch up... Best wishes!!
   — janice2007

September 18, 2008
I had a friend who didn't follow the "diet" before surgery and her liver did not shrink. She still had the surgery, but had to have a drain ball inserted for several days after the surgery. The surgery also lasted an hour+ longer than "usual" due to her large liver. I stuck to the "diet" and lost 8 lbs the week before surgery and came through fine... my liver shrunk and no drain ball. I think I also had a better "recovery" because the surgeon didn't have as hard of time, so my insides didn't have the "trauma" that she did.
   — pattschiele

September 18, 2008
Stick to your diet. You can do this. But you have to drink, drink, drink. Get powdered protein from Walmart or GNC and mix into food and water. Or try the K2O drink mix and put in your water. I bought it at Kroger and it comes in individual packets to mix into bottled water. Each serving has 5 grams of protein. You are not adding any calories but the protein helps you not to get hungry and helps reduce hair loss after the surgery.
   — Debfaw