Question:
Liquid diet required by surgeon for 2 weeks prior to surgery.

My surgery is 1-16-06,my surgeon requires a liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. I've made it through 1 week so far but I need help.I don't know if I can make it all the way to my surgery date. HELP!!!!!    — joanne42 (posted on January 8, 2006)

January 8, 2006
Joann, Remember, this is the last big push before you have major help in the weight loss front...8 days.....you can do it... Russ
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 8, 2006
I was tolld, now I don't know how true it is, but if you eat a huge meal before surgery, the intestines get stretched out more and less is bypassed. Now this is for the MGB which is different, I don't know if it would apply to an R-NY. Makes since, the less in your digestive track the better the surgery. But I don't know if this is true.
   — shoutjoy

January 8, 2006
Joann - you are not alone - remember this. my surgery date is 1/16/06 too and I'm on the same liq diet. I know EXACTLY what you are going through. You CAN do it! Things that have been helping me through are looking at pictures of clothes that I will soon be able to fit into and pictures of friends that have had this surgery and their successes. Good luck and I will think of you when I get to a point where I can't stand it I will know I am not alone. We're in this thing together... just keep reminding yourself why you are doing this and that it will be worth it later. Good luck.
   — A S.

January 8, 2006
Hi Joanne, I was required to do the liquid diet for 10 days prior to surgery and believe me I know what you are going through. Especially, when your family members are not on the same diet. Just look on the bright side, soon you will be on the otherside of this journey and unlike people that did not have to do a liquid diet prior to surgery you will already be used to it post-op. Plus, the main reasons for the diet is 1) To shrink the liver and allow easier access during the surgery itself and 2) To provide a clean working area for your surgeon. We are already proud of your dedication to this process and I know you will do great. BTW, my surgery date was 01/18/05 .... so I was just in your same position this time last year. Tiffany
   — Tiff's On a Mission

January 8, 2006
Try different stuff like sugar free popsicles , sf pudding, broth sodium free is what my Doc told me to drink I also had crystal light an my favorite was sf fudge bars. Hope this helps an welcome to your new life
   — amygirl

January 8, 2006
Hi Joanne- do not gorge yourself with food prior to surgery..I know this week is tough- but you can do it. My surgeon told me- that you increase the size of your already fatty liver-and risk having surgery cancelled or causing complications during surgery- possibly requing an open vs lap procedure.. If you feel you have to eat anything. try saltine crackers and do it in the early part of the week..do not try to stuff yourself the last 48hrs before surgery..you are only hurting yourself and may have to do the whole 2 weeks over again.. hang in there. Hugs, Donna
   — nybabe

January 8, 2006
I know what your going through. My surgery was Dec 5, 2005 and my surgeon required me to be on a "full" liquid diet for one month prior to surgery and one month post-op. The first week I didn't think I was going to make it, but it did get easier. I kept reminding myself that there is a reason my Dr. requires this and by staying on the program I am increasing my odds of having little or no problems during and after surgery. Were all human so if you slip don't beat yourself up, just get back on track. What might help is to visualize where you're going be in 6 mths from now, a much smaller and healthier person. My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this last week post-op and of course on the 16th. Keep us posted on your journey. Nee P
   — Nee P

January 9, 2006
Hang in there, Joanne! I know you can do it!
   — Novashannon

January 9, 2006
Hang in there, Joanne! I know you can do it!
   — Novashannon

January 9, 2006
Hang inthere, Joanne! I know you can do it!
   — Novashannon

January 9, 2006
Just remember that you have to learn to have control for the rest of your life after having this surgery. It takes a lot to keep yourself on track even after the surgery. So learn that control now or you will risk gaining your weight back afterwards. I just had my surgery 4/29/05 and it takes a lot to make sure you are eating the right foods and not the wrong ones. Stormy 346/220/180
   — Stormy71

January 9, 2006
My surgery date is 2/13/06, and my surgeon told me that he sometimes requires you to go on this diet for a week or two before surgery because it will help shrink your liver. He said that your liver sits right on top of you stomach, where they make the small pouch, and that if you loose even 10 pounds, that it will shrink your liver enough to get it out of the way. I guess with obesity that your liver is a lot larger then a normal persons. Hope this help. You can do it, your half way there.
   — havertwins

January 9, 2006
You can do it -- one day at a time. Don't think about the 16th, think about this moment in time.
   — the7thdean

January 9, 2006
God bless you , I DO know what you are going through I just had surgery on 12/15/05 and my doctor made me go on a full liquid diet for 2 weeks before the surgery..I kept thinking, if I could starve myself I wouldn't need the surgery!!! but I did make it (kind of) a few times if I was starving I had a chicken breast or string cheese or tomato soup..no one is perfect , I think as long as you dont binge on fatty proccessed foods your liver will shrink.(remember to drink lots of water too..)my surgery went well and the doctor never told me "hey did you eat some chicken?"
   — rebecca3

January 10, 2006
Joann, I know that everyone is encouraging you to stick with it and so am I, buy believe me I also know and still remember quite well how hard it was. My surgery was 9/27/04 and so far I have lost 173 lbs. I remember the Christmas of 2004 I went in my bedroom and cried while my family ate. If you can stand the two weeks then you will be fine. Do not be afraid to voice and show your feelings about the process that you are going through. You will be mourning the loss of am important relationship that you have had for a long time. Addiction to food is not as easy to break as with drugs or alcohol, don't think I am making light of that either. But you can't go cold turkey like the other addictions can. Everyone has to eat. We just have to deal with it differently. I have spent many a day or night missing the way I lived before I made this big step. BUT I WOULD NOT CHANGE MY NEW WAY OF LIFE FOR FOOD. STAY THE ROAD. STAY STRONG. ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESS IN THIS SITUATION. ASK FOR HELP FROM THOSE AROUND YOU. TRY NOT TO EXPOSE YOURSELF TO ADDED MISERY BY GOING AROUND THOSE THAT WILL TRY TO TEMPT YOU. DON'T LET ANYONE STOP YOU FROM MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE. I WOULDN'T CHANGE THE DIRECTION MY CHOICE FOR SURGERY HAS MADE IN MY LIFE. CHECK MY PROFILE, I DID HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT I WOULD STILL DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. DON'T LETANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN'T.WE CAN AND ARE GETTING PAST OUR PROBLEMS. STAY STRONG AND STAY FOCUSED. IF YOU NEED ME CALL UPON ME, I WILL CHECK MY EMAIL ALOT. DO YOU HAVE SUPPORT? CALL ON IT. DON'T GIVE IN. GOD BLESS YOU. DEBBIE
   — imdebbie

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