Question:
diet for preop

The nutrionist told me I need to follow a liquid diet of sugarless carnation instant breakfast 2 weeks before surgery. Is that common? How importants is this? I have never been successful with liquid diets, but I do want to do what is best to prepare for my surgery. Please send me some advice. Thanks    — michelle C. (posted on July 16, 2003)

July 16, 2003
There isn't a "sugarless" carnation instant breakfast, but a "no added sugar" so it has some sugar in. It's mixed with milk and that also has sugar in. Every doctor does it different so nothing surprises me. I had to lose 10% of my excess weight (25 pounds) before surgery and used Atkin's. Remember it's only 2 wks, you can do it!
   — ZZ S.

July 16, 2003
I think that is to clean out your system and help you loose any possbile weight before your surgery. Not eating solid foods will keep your intestines from being filled, and should aid in loosing some weight. It does sound very hard to do though. If you must do it keep focused on the goal (WLS) and stay motivated. You can do it!! Personally I would check with my sorgeon before attempting something like that. We went to a local nutritionist, and she was not part of the surgeons group since we live so far away, and she mentioned something like this to us. However our surgeon does not require it.
   — Pookie B.

July 16, 2003
My doctor said he puts his patients on liquid protein 2 weeks post-op for 2 reasons: 1- reduce the fatty liver which makes surgery easier (the liver "sits"" on top of the stomach and 2 - he knows that most people will overeat trying to get their "last" of any bad foods and this helps to push it further away from surgery.
   — Maridee B.