pre-op diet question..yay or nay?

my surgeon does not require one...but i am thinking i might put myself on a full liquid prior. surgery is 2 weeks from tomorrow. do you all think its worth doing? also, should i do it one week or two weeks. i need to put myself in the right frame of mind. thaks!

Rose, I was not put on a pre-surgery diet. Just told not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. Different things work for everyone, but I spent a few days before surgery having some of the fattening things I'm now giving up. Kind of saying goodbye to them. Went to my favorite restaurant and really enjoyed every bite. All the time, reminding myself that I was saying goodbye. It sounds corny, but I kind of feel like it gave me some closure on the chapter of my life where I ate whatever, whenever. And now I am mentally prepared for a new life... But like I said - this might not be the way for everyone. Just my 2 cents. Good luck! Sarah

well i have been eating like that for the last 3 weeks. i haven****ched a thing that has gone into my mouth. i need to regroup now. thats why i was thinking of doing this.

Rose My surgeon did not require a liquid diet. That being said I did put myself on one 1 week prior. It was not a clear diet, but rather a full diet with soup, yougurt, sf/ff pudding etc. I drank a prtoein shake 2x a day. I believe it did help me emotionally.

I also just had to stop eating midnight before operation,, and i had planned to eat all my favourite foods the week before, but when it came to it,, I just ate the normal food that I always did,, my reasoning I think for this was, I was going on a journey where I would be eating well for the rest of my life,, why not start it one week earlier?? so I ate well, abeit in abundance ( which is why I am tubby), and felt good about doing it.........also the fact that i knew I had to be on liquids for 2 weeks after and 'baby food' for a further 2 weeks after that, for me it would of been difficult to even consider a liquid diet BEFORE the operation!! but that is just me........ I think that many of us have a plan in our head, and need to follow it,, to be in the 'right frame of mind" as you say Rose,,, so just do what your heart and head says is good for YOU.......... good luck with it all,, hope your surgery is the best it can be and your recovery is full of hugs and cuddles Selina Abraham Lincoln once said 'I am a slow walker, but I never walk backwards.' how cool is that!

Hi Selina, My surgery is Oct. 6th and I have to be on a clear liquid diet one week prior. I also put myself on a full liquid this week. After watching the surgery online, I wanted to make sure my liver was as small as I could make it. I also thought if I lost weight prior to surgery it would help with recovery. Good luck, Diane

Hi Rose; I did an Atkins like diet for two weeks prior to surgery, with clear liquids the day before. If you are interested in the handouts that I have from my doc on diet progression, just send me an email and I will forward them when I get home from work. Chelle

I had to do a week of optifast before surgery. I was told this helps shrink your liver and give them more room to work while doing your surgery. I dont know if its true or not but really I had same day surgery and left the hospital feeling pretty good. I had no gas issues at all and really minimal pain. Im sure the liquid diet had nothing to do with that but I just followed what my Nurse Pract. told me to do and it all went very smooth. The liquid diet sucked, but by the third day I was used to it. It was hard though, but I knew I was doing it to have a smooth surgery so I just stuck it out. I guess the answer to your question is, it cant hurt! Good Luck Fran

Hi Fran, I did a double take when I saw your date and doctor until I read it correctly as 2004. I thought we were in the hospital together as I am 8/30/05 and had Dr Davis as well. I had the same pre-op diet and agree with all you said. I had basically no gain pain and very little post op pain also and felt that the pre-op diet prepared me for life after the band. So thanks for validating my experience. Did you have your surgery at Hackensack hospital or at Lawrence Hospital? I had mine at Lawrence hospital and had a wonderful experience with the whole team. Take care. Bevie

Hi Rose, My doctor didn't require me to diet either. I think I spent a few days eating food that I thought would be the "last time" and then a few days I took it easy. Mostly, I concentrated on getting super hydrated for surgery. Good luck!! I'm so excited for you! Catherine