Those who didn't have a pre-op diet

My surgeon does not require a pre op diet.. just 24 hour liquid diet prior to surgery date.  

I was wondering if anyone did a pre-op diet anyway and what did you do? 

Thanks!

Google "wls pre op diet" and get lots of answers :)

Sure I can do that, but I also like to hear experiences as well from people on here!

My surgeon required a full liquid pre-op diet for a week prior to surgery.  i actually did it for two weeks. My liver looked really good and all the carb cravings, etc. were gone prior to surgery. It also was an opportunity to experiment with different shake recipes, etc. without it being "real".  I could always bail and eat something if I would have wanted.

My pre-op diet is 2 weeks of basically an Atkins diet.  Under 40 grams of carbs, lots of lean protein.  I can't have anything bu****er the day before surgery.  That will be the day I'll be traveling to El Paso.  Long day with no food!

I know I had a different surgery than you, but my doctor does not require a liquid diet for any of his patients. His only request is that we try to have normal lower carb, healthy protein meals 2 weeks before. The night before he tells his patients to eat a normal size meal around 5 or 6 and liquids until midnight and nothing after that.

My surgeon developed and does a mini-incision open RNY so I believe that the methods and experience of the surgeon may somewhat correlate with the requirement of a liquid diet. My understanding of the liquid diet is to help make the liver a little smaller and less fragile. The liver can be damaged during this surgery (I believe the surgeon sometimes has to use clamps to keep it out of the way).

I also had my gallbladder removed at the same time since it was showing signs of stones and sludge.

I had considered doing a liquid diet anyway but when I asked my wife and friends about it they asked me why I wanted to put myself through that if I didn't have to. It made my last 2 weeks nice and I didn't feel like I had to have any "food funerals" which is common among RNY patients since we are more prone to dumping. We all want that last bowl of ice cream or super big gulp.  Anyway, I didn't do it and I'm glad I didn't.

My surgeon also suggested the same when I was sleeved in 2007.  I had every last meal imaginable!  The day I had my pre-ops, I picked up pizza on my way home.  But the liquids for 24 hours before nearly killed me (not literally...  lol!).  I got some of those protein bullets and sipped on those.  Ate a few cups of lime jello and drank lots of water...

I added the duodenal switch last October and for that one I had to do a 2 week liquid diet...  omg...  I thought 1 day was bad... 14 was a nightmare!!

If you opt to do a modified pre-op diet...  Definitely go low fat.  Don't worry so much about everything else.  Maybe limit carbs a bit, but definitely go low fat/no fat.  This will help shrink your liver some...  makes the surgery a bit safer.  Also make sure you are drinking a LOT of water!!!  Aim for 100 oz a day.  This is going to help you stay hydrated after surgery.  You will be lucky to get 30 oz a day when you are post-op and you will get dehydrated fast if you don't start pushing water now.

Hope this helps.

No pre-op diet for me.  Just clear liquids the day before surgery....next Thursday! GAH! 

However, I'm going to do protein shakes for breakfast/lunch Sun, Mon, Tues with light dinners. 

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks so much all! I really appreciate the suggestions!