[wannabethin]

My surgeon has all of his patients do straight OptiFast for two weeks prior to surgery because it shrinks the liver and moves it out of the way--making surgery much easier. I'm thinking, if I had the willpower to do a liquid diet for two weeks I might have never gotten to the place where I need surgery! I trust him completely, but it sounds hard to do. Anyone else been required to do the OptiFast prior to surgery?
(I know, I'm a wimp)

[DocSanae]

Most surgeons require their patients to lose weight to some extent, some up to 10% of the execess weight pre-op. There are those who put their patients on liquid diets and/or pureed diets pre-op, too. All this is, as you said, to reduce the size of the liver, but some also seem to consider it a kind of test--the final one--to see if you are really commited to this surgery, and willing to do everything that is required of you post op to insure the success of the surgery.
It's OK to vent but each dr's protocol is different, and the difference all comes from the personal experiences of the individual surgeons. So, it's important to follow your surgeon's protocol (even if it's different from your next door post-op who has a different surgeon) becasue he/she is the one who knows your body and system, and understands fully how they changed it for you.
Good luck!!(((((HUGS))))))

[wannabethin]

Thanks Doc, I've never been on a total liquid diet before, so hope it isn't too hard. After I posted the new thread, I realized that it sounded like I thought my surgeon's OptiFast plan preop is stupid, but that is certainly not what I meant. I was referring to my how stupid it would be if I couldn't stand it for two weeks. He told me that it makes the surgery so much easier if the liver is out of the way.

[freebird]

so far i have heard nothing from my surgeon about needing to lose any weight or go on any special diet before the surgery. He does reguire at least 3 dietician appointments with logged food diary to see if you are making the changes needed and eating healthier. Maybe he just waits and springs that detail on you when the time comes? I don't think it's stupid to wonder about being able to do the liquid diet for 2 weeks pre op. Of course, I feel anyways, that if i were able to do that on my own i probably would be able to lose the excess weight however any attempts i've ever made have only ended up gaining the weight back when i go off of whatever i've tried.
good luck

[wannabethin]

Hi Freebird---Maybe you are right, the surgeon just surprises you with the information closer to surgery time! My doctor said that he doesn't do this as a test or even to make his patients lose weight, although he knows they will during the liquid fast. He said that once he has started requiring the OptiFast that it has cut surgery time and makes it much easier without the liver in the way. It will certainly be a test of my willpower!

[ChuppyGirl]

You know I had the same question when I was in the liquid diet phase post-op. I asked myself: if I was on the same diet before the surgery I would have lost the same weight!! what's the difference??
heheheheh

[fr1endly2]

MANY DOCTORS do this!

MY doctor has you loose 25 lbs pre op...to also get that liver
out of the way for lapriscopic surgery. I have heard of opti fast
also being used.
I also feel it prepares people ahead of surgery and the loose of the
best friend of ours foods occurs before the surgery. THE more cravings
in control pre op i feel the easier the journey will be post op! ITS not an easy road and i am thankful everyday my surgeon had me start looseing right off the bat! ALSO counts to my totals! SO you will loose some weight and it counts as pounds lost!
GOOD LUCK! I know when i was working on looseing my pre op weight many told me to go to a different surgeon and told me if u could loose weight on your own you wouldnt need the surgery but i think it helped me alot by doing pre op weight loss!

GOOD LUCK!
HUGS

[fr1endly2]

AND i would like to also add
HONESTLY, if i didnt have to loose 25 lbs i bet during the pre op testing and clearance stage i would have been in the last supper syndrome and
gained 25 more lbs which in the long run would have stunk to try and rid more weight!

I would have every favorite food over and over , dined out till no end until the day of my surgery and gaining even more!
so again i am thankful for what my surgeon had me doo!

[wannabethin]

That is too funny. You are a woman after my own heart, because that would be EXACTLY like that. I would probably be eating my last bite of food as the clock struck midnight before surgery the next morning. Sigh.

[LittleLisaMarie]

I had to do the optifast for one week prior to my surgery ...I was worried but once i got going it wasnt to bad. I did cheat one time and had some shells with ricotta but i did it early on...I was so excited about being able to have this surgery that i was determined to make it as easy as possible for the surgeon. So hang in there , its really not that bad. Just think about all the good that is going to come from it all in the end. We are all here for you!