Question:
What have you had to do for a 'diet' before your surgery?

I have heard from most Gastric bypass patients that they had to go on either a liquid diet or the Atkins diet prior to surgery? If so, how long before surgery did you have to do this diet? I am having the RNY sometime in August. I just want to be somewhat 'prepared' when the surgeon tells me I can no longer have ANY carbs or that I have to do a liquid diet prior to my surgery. Thanks, in advance, for responding! : )    — jstatkus (posted on June 30, 2005)

June 29, 2005
I had to respond to this post. I had my Lap RNY March 18th, 2005 and I am 3 months post op. I have never heard of going on a liquid or Atkins diet prior to surgery. This must be your surgeon's request. All surgeons have different instructions. The only thing that I did a month before my surgery was start taking in as much water as I could. Good luck on your surgery. I am down 60 lbs in 3 months and doing great with no complications.
   — LindaKM

June 29, 2005
Every Surgeon is different when it comes to pre-op stuff. Ours in Las Vegas did not have us do anything prior accept clean out the cupbaords of the bad stuff yo ow eat. Your diet will change & you have to change the way you think or this wont work. You have to eat healthy after & ours had us on 6 weks of purred foods. Then soft after that. Every doc out there is different in what they want you to do. So whatever your doc wants you will have to do. Thats jsut the way it works. Sorry could not be more specific. Marilyn, the Bearlady
   — Marilyn C.

June 30, 2005
Hello, Marilyn is correct, every surgeon has thier own procedures and guidelines. My surgeon for instance requires that you be on a full liquid diet a week prior to surgery and then clear liquids two days prior to surgery. His explaination for this is (1) it shrinks your liver and makes it easier to maneuver inside of you when doing a laparoscopic procedure and (2) it helps to ensure that you are cleaned out prior to the procedure.
   — Tiff's On a Mission

July 1, 2005
I've seen lots of discussion also, but my surgeon isn't requiring weight loss or any type of special diet. His nurse said they only do if patient is over 500 but not always even then. I'm having an open BPD.
   — Jenny X.

July 2, 2005
My doctor orders a weight loss so that one's liver will shrink from fat prior to surgery, making it easier for his hands to work inside during surgery. They weigh you the morning of, and some have been turned away if they did not lose the suggested amount. I have to lose 10 pounds, and I've started a diet based on the "South Beach Diet". He suggests a high protein, low card diet to lose quickly, and get ready for much of the same kind of eating after surgery.
   — Paula Hep