Question:
Some people have mentioned a liquid diet for 1-2 weeks pre-op. Should I do this?
I have seen this advised by some people on this website. Can anyone tell me what the medical benefits of it would be? My Dr. says he doesn't think it's necessary but it's up to me. Please advise. Thanks!! — Cheryl W. (posted on September 4, 1999)
September 3, 1999
If your doctor doesn't think it's necessary then it isn't. If he's
admitting you the day before your surgery, you'll likely be on a clear
liquid diet all that day, and probably a laxative. If he's not planning
to, don't eat huge meals all day the day before, eat lightly two days
before and the day before maybe go for the clear liquids and a dulcolax or
something to help clean you out that day. Also, you could ask your doc
what he does to clean you out before surgery. Good luck.
— Sherrie G.
September 4, 1999
Hi, Cheryl, I am 8 weeks postop, doing well, have lost over 50 pounds so
far and my dr. (who has done this surgery for 20 years) had me on a liquid
diet for 2 to 3 weeks postop. He explained to me that putting
"regular" food in a new stomach pouch is like constantly rubbing
or irritating a new cut on your hand--it never has a chance to heal fully.
Makes sense to me, and I haven't had any problems, so I guess, at least in
my case, he was right. Good luck to you!
— charlene M.
September 4, 1999
If I had to be revised and start over, I would still do the liquid diet for
awhile. Our doc requires 4 weeks. The fact that I don't have to be revised
may or may not have anythign to do with that. Obviously, it DID protect
the integrity of my pouch and staple line and apparently my pouch didn't
stretch during that very tender period, as I'm still maintaining my wt.
Now, I COULD still disrupt, even at 5 yrs. But at least I know it won't be
from anythign I did during the first 4 weeks! I would still stay on clear
liquids. Better safe than sorry. Oh, and it gets yoru wwt loss off to a
rocket start, too!
— vitalady
September 5, 1999
Most Dr.'s put their own little spin on operations that they perform. The
best thing to do is follow YOUR Dr.'s directions exactly. Good Luck!!
— Donna D.
November 12, 1999
(. . . I know you all have thought of this, and I feel slightly stupid in
asking, but I need to hear "EXPERIENCE TALK" . . .)
Why not follow the post-op diet (clear liquids for 2 weeks, nothing solid
for 4 weeks, etc) and not have the surgery?
— Toni B.
January 1, 2000
NO!! Eat like there's no tomorrow. HA HA I ate whatever I felt like having
right up until the day before surgery when I was told I COULDN'T eat
anymore. I'm great at following orders. Had no problems. Had my open RNY 6
days ago on 12/28/99. Why starve yourself until you have to??? My friends
took me EVERYWHERE before surgery. Good time to get lots of free meals.
GOOD LUCK !
— Jeannie W.
January 2, 2000
I ate whatever I felt like eating! The day before my surgery
I had Mexican and for dinner I decided a chili dog was gonna be my last
meal! I finished off a Diet Coke as we pulled into the hospital parking
lot! I say you should do what feels right for you. I knew that I was making
a commitment that I wouldn't eat these types of food again (or at least
very much of them) and as a now recovering Diet Coke-aholic. i just had to
say goodbye to this stuff! Now at almost three weeks out I'm really glad I
did! Oh, and I asked my doc after surgery if he could tell I'd eaten a
chili dog (actually I kind of apologized, in case it was gross)He said
nope, everything was nice and clean!
Good luck to you and do what you think is right for you!
— Morgan B.
January 2, 2000
"I finished off a Diet Coke." ROFLOL
I'll have a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's and a Tab please. Very
funny stuff.
— Brett S.
March 30, 2004
My surgeon has me going on a Clear Liquid Diet 10 days before surgery. He
says it will shrink my liver, making surgery easier and recovery faster.
That is good enough for me and I'm gonna comply. I cannot see any reason
for not following his directions.
— Bryan D.
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