A newbee question for you vets

I keep reading about people doing pre-op diets..   My surgery date is Jan 18, and the office so far has not said anything to me about this.  They did say I did not have to lose any weight for surgery.  So, what.s the normal for the (VSG)?  Thanks.

I had no request from the doctor to lose weight prior to surgery. However, with any surgrery the day prior is a no solids after a certain hour and to drink a lot of water the day prior.

As far as I've seen, there is no "normal". Every doctor seems to be different. I didn't have a pre-op diet either. I'm two weeks out now and no complications, so I don't see the need for one.

I also don't think you will find a "normal" around here!  All surgeons are different on EVERYTHING.  My husband did not have to lose weight before surgery (although he did lose 13 pounds pre-op).  He was not required to do a liquid pre-op either and he is doing perfectly 6 weeks out.  Our surgeon just doesn't think its necessary.

Good luck..you will do great no matter what!

Hugs,

Kelly

Agree with the prevailing thought here, each surgeon is different. Mine asked me to lose 20 lbs over the 2 months and only cut down the last few days to clear liquids pre surgery date. He told me his primary reason was to decrease fatty deposits on my liver but that my start weight was not overly obese so he was not worried. Sounds like a case by case basis. I have read the pre op horror stories here as well. Thus far I am closing in on 100 lbs in just 3.5 months so this worked for me at least.

I didn't have to do one (mainly due to protein powder intolerances), but I chose to do a 1000 calorie per day diet as practice of or my new lifestyle. I ate low carb, high protein for the month before surgery, lost 12kg/26lbs. And practiced, no drinking with meals, small bites etc.

I only had to do two days of liquids before surgery so that there was no food in my diet.

Best thing ever to change my habits and my surgeon was thrilled.

I think there are 2 reasons for pre-op diet.  one of them is insurance, some companies require it as some sort of test that you are serious and able to stick to program.  another reason, particularly for those really overweight, is to reduce the fatty tissue around the liver and stomach to make it easier to operate ... I guess even a short time on a strict diet can accomplish this.

It is certainly very different for every surgeon it seems. My surgeon only requires the liquid diet for the day before surgery. They also recommend losing 5-10lbs before surgery but it is not required. That helps shrink the liver before surgery. I used a protein shake as a meal replacement for lunch about a month prior to surgery to kick start my weight loss and lost 17lbs before surgery. 

Good luck!