What is pre-surgery diet and when to start?

Hi all! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I have so many questions and appreciate all repsonses. My MIL will be having surgery in March and wanted to see what the pre-surgery diet is that everyone has done. I think I understand that it is different for everyone, but she has not had any changes in eating habits, so I am wondering when and what you all done prior to surgery. Please advise. Her surgery will be performed by Dr. Nighbert. Thanks

First I would like to say HI!! and tell her congrats on her decision!! St. Joe's East is also where I will have my WLS......As for the pre-op diet, Amanda says its a low carb 30 grams a day and high protein.......this is to get the body ready for surgery by helping shrink the liver. I am sure that if you or your MIL have any questions about it you can call her she will answer them for you! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

When do you start the low carb hig protein diet? I will be meeting next week with my MIL and her doc, but I just feel that so far nothing has changed with her diet and eating habits and that gets me worried.

Hi! I had Lap band surgery 2-20-07 and I had to do a 2 week pre-op diet of full liq called Optifsat which I bought from my Dr. office. It must of worked, because my surgery went as smooth as glass . They are really wanting to shrink the liver as much as possible for a good surgery. Every Dr. requires different pre-op diets, but which ever they choose, Follow it for the best results during and after surgery. It does make a BIG difference. Good Luck. Keep us posted!!! Sandi

Glad to hear that you are doing well! Thanks for the information. I want to encourage her and we want the very best for her. Good luck to you too on your continued success. CA

The pre-op diet was a low carb (30g or less) to help shrink the liver. Then 2 days before the surgery, your MIL will be on an all liquid diet. It really wasn't as difficult to endure as I originally had thought. I came through surgery just fine, so I must have done something right. Good luck to your MIL Dee

I, on the other hand, was told clear liquids only the day before surgery and I didn't do well at surgery. My stomach swelled up and closed and I was in the hospital for five days. Honestly, I don't know if there's a correlation, but you can bet if I had to do the surgery over again, I'd be drinking clear liquids for at least a week prior. It can't hurt and I think it's great advice! Give your mil my best and tell her she is in my prayers. Love, Karen

Your MIL will be walked through the process carefully before surgery. Don't worry if her directions and orders are not the same as everyone elses on this board. Some surgeons require a liquid diet while others require low carb. Some surgeons will only require certain patients to diet and yet others will not require a diet at all. It is correct they want to shrink the liver since it sits right on top of the stomach. They have to pull it up and out of the way with a liver retractor during the procedure. Many patients who are not put on a restrictive diet do just fine. I ate a full meal the night before mine and have to this day never had a problem with my RNY.. she will do just fine, let her live and learn through the docs office..as well as her life experiences. This surgery is a very personal one..if she is doing it for all the right reasons (herself)...she will do just great.. It sounds like you want to be very involved in her healling and after care..I think that's great! Nothing more important than an educated and very informed support buddy.. She will go through a lot of changes over the next year, so it's important the loved ones around her have an understanding of what is happening...Letting her find her own way is so important...She is going to a good center that teaches nutrition and health after..join her in classes pre and post op so that you also have an understanding of what she is and has to do ...then relax and watch how incredible this surgery truely is!! Brenda

Hi Brenda, Thanks for the advice and knowledge! My concern though stems much deeper than I have discussed before on this forum. My family endured great pain a few years ago by losing a loved one to a complication from WLS. This is why I am trying to seek feed back from others that have had the surgery how to make the most success from it. I just know that for now, the lifestyle and eating habits have not changed and I am so concerned that they won't after the surgery. I am trying to find the best encouragement for my MIL so that she will have the best success. Thanks! CA

No one can predict the outcome of any surgery. Unfortunately there are risk involved with any surgery, bariatrics is no exception. My advice is to research and seek out the best surgeon who has a program in place where she can receive the education and support she needs. Again, I think it's wonderful that you are supporting her. But this is a very personal decision she has to make ..If she is gonig through a good program there will be people to help her and guide her. You can all meet with other patients who have had this surgery, she can attend post-op groups that will give her encouragement, guidance and the emotinoal support and cheerleading that she needs. I understand being nerous, I had members of my family who were very upset about me having this surgery..But I made up my mind and worked hard. You will find hundreds of us here on these boards that will tell you this is the best thing we have ever done and would do it again in a heart beat. I wish her good luck and pray she does well, please keep us informed.. Brenda