Question:
What is the purpose of starting the pre-op diet so early?

In my manual it says to start the pre-op diet 12 to 8 weeks earlier than surgery. Will I be starving all the time since my stomach is the same size that allowed me to put on all this weight. Why can't we start say 1 or 2 weeks before except for the fact that we are suppose to lose between 30 to 70lbs. Isn't that a lot. I know it will be easier when your stomach isn't as big. Thanks, for the help with all of my foolish questions. Colleen    — Colleen K. (posted on June 9, 2000)

June 9, 2000
Colleen: I think that is really extreme! I had NO willpower before this surgery. I don't know what your preop diet consists of, but I believe that I couldn't follow it no matter what it is! Do you mean that you MUST lose 30 to 70 pounds prior to surgery? What if you don't? And, if it is a restrictive diet (and it would have to be for you to attain such a loss) of course you'll be starving yourself!!!!! If I were you, I'd ask them why you'd even need the surgery if you could lose 30 to 70 pounds in two or three months prior to the surgery! I've heard of people being required to lose 10 pounds, but I wasn't required anything of the sort. Best wishes.
   — Cindy H.

June 9, 2000
I was required to loose 10% of my body weight befor my sugery at UCSF. This I was told was to help me change my eating habits and to show myself that I was ready for this life style change.
   — [Anonymous]

June 9, 2000
Colleen, No questions are foolish. I too was required by my surgeon to lose a significant amount of weight before surgery. He required it mainly for my health, but also to get me used to changing my eating habits. He wanted me to loose as much as I could, so in 6 weeks I lost 43 lbs. I am very glad that I did...it made it just that much easier to get around after surgery. It may be that you are being asked to follow the diet mainly to get you used to eating the protein first. Concentate on eating slowly, increase your water intake, and always eat your protein first. Good luck,
   — Holly G.

June 9, 2000
Colleen: With a BMI of only 39, it is surprising to me that you would be required to lose weight before surgery. Mine was around 41 and I did not have to worry about it. My surgeon does require some patients to lose before surgery also. I would discuss it with your surgeon again. I actually endede up gaining about 5 lbs. before surgery and then lost most of it the night before during the bowel prep. Good luck.
   — [Anonymous]