Question:
My surgeon says that I don't need to be on a special diet pre-op

I am scheduled for surgery 9/3, I asked if I should be on liquids for a few days before and he said no, but from what I read people are saying yes and no. I would like some latest info on the subject. Thank you for your time.    — Mary M. (posted on July 28, 2002)

July 28, 2002
I had open RNY on 7-11-02 and my surgeon doesn't require a special pre-op diet either. A couple of his other patients suggested I eat light a few days before surgery, but I didn't take their advice. I have to admit I did quite a bit of last suppering! I had dinner at Olive Garden the night before my surgery and just didn't eat or drink anything after midnight like my instructions said. I didn't have any problems at all. Your surgeon is the one that has been performing all these surgeries and knows what works best for his style, so I say listen to him!! You'll definitely be sick of just liquids after surgery, so why put yourself through prolonged "suffering"!? =) Good luck with your surgery!
   — Tanya B.

July 28, 2002
You will get a variety of answers on this subject, b/c every surgeon is different. All my surgeon said was not to eat, drink, smoke or chew gum after midnight, as well as not to take any medications! I did have my "last meal" as well! I ate normally until my surgery date, and even lost a few pounds before my big day, but wasn't even trying (boy that has never happened before!) I didn't have to bowel prep like many do, either. SO i wouldn't worry about it, if he told you not to! :) goodluck!
   — Lezlie Y.

July 28, 2002
You should always follow what your surgeon has outlined for you to do - not what anyone on obesityhelp.com tells you to do. If he doesn't require a special diet or bowel prep prior to surgery, then consider yourself lucky. Personally, I was on clear liquids two days prior to surgery and had to do a bowel prep to boot. Good luck with your surgery...JR (open RNY - 7/17/02)
   — John Rushton

July 28, 2002
I think that it all depends on the surgeon. I had surgery on 1/10/02 and the only thing that my surgeon said was to not eat after midnight the day before. The night before I ate lightly and ate a larger lunch. I did not need to do a bowel prep either. Good luck - Tracy
   — tracyr

July 28, 2002
Hi Mary, I know all surgeons are different, mine says I am to have two days clear liquid diet, as well as drink a bottle of magnesium citrate at 6pm the night before...Best of luck to you..
   — Sharon1964

July 29, 2002
I agree with doing whatever your dr says preop. Personally, I did not have to do the bowel prep and am no worse off. I have seen a lot on here about postop diarrhea (which puzzled me because I had constipation) and am wondering if the folks who have that are the same folks who did bowel prep. Someone mentioned that it cleans out all your "good" bacteria which can cause upsets in digestion. If so, that can be helped by eating yogurt and other live-culture containing foods and beverages. HUH. Something to think about, anyway. For me, I was just glad to not have to drink something nasty or go on liquids before I had to. I had my "last meal"--which was not nearly as good as I thought it would be--and showed up hungry the next morning for my surgery. I cherish that last hungry feeling cuz I haven't felt hunger in that way since! Good luck!
   — ctyst

July 29, 2002
I've also noticed the big difference on pre-op preps. I've decided to follow a clear liquid diet, even if my surgeon tells me it's not necessary. (I do plan to discuss it this week.) It makes sense to have your insides cleaned out as much as possible. If something is accidentally nicked - there is less possibility for infection and I want ALL the cards stacked in MY favor!
   — Debbie A.

July 29, 2002
I had surgery July 11, 2002. I also was not given a diet to follow before surgery, but everything I had read suggested a high protein diet before surgery helped with healing. So a week before surgery I started drinking protein drinks and the last 2 days before surgery I drank only protein drinks (4 per day). Surgery went great, recovery has been good and I am heling well. Good Luck.
   — Kimberly V.

July 29, 2002
There is a reason why some surgeons prefer that their patients do a clear liquid diet before surgery. Mine did not request this, however, at a recent support group meeting, he stated that they are finding that when a patient eats high fat foods prior to surgery, the liver becomes engorged and makes the surgery more difficult. He is now recommending the low fat diet a few days prior to the surgery.
   — Cheri M.

July 29, 2002
my doc didn't require pre-op liquid diet, she said to eat what i wanted because the night before surgery (when i checked into hospital) they make you drink some carbonated-type medicine that flushes your system (literally!) good luck!
   — jkb

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