Hi
here's the Leeds pre-op diet. Not terribly clear what the rules or principle are, but hey, at least its not the milk diet (bleurrgh!):
Dinner
here's the Leeds pre-op diet. Not terribly clear what the rules or principle are, but hey, at least its not the milk diet (bleurrgh!):
Your diet prior to surgery
It is recommended that you follow a restricted diet the week before having surgery. This helps the liver to shrink in size making the surgery easier and safer. It is important that you follow this diet as best you can. If the liver is large, the operation takes longer, the liver may split or bleed and the surgeon may have to convert to open surgery. Do not be tempted to have a last supper!
By following a strict diet, your body reduces its glycogen stores. Glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscle for energy. With each ounce of glycogen, the body stores 3 to 4 ounces of water. So when you follow a very strict diet, especially one that is low in starch and sugar, your body loses its glycogen stores and some water. The liver shrinks as it has less glycogen and water. As mentioned, do not undo your hard work the week before your operation by having a last supper. The last supper will cause you to put all your glycogen stores back very quickly and make your liver larger again.
This diet is only recommended for the 7 to 10 days before surgery and is not to be followed afterwards. You may find that you lose a lot of weight that week but it will mainly be water loss. Please make sure that you continue to drink each day. If possible, please make a note of the weight that you are before the diet and count that as your weight before surgery.
Many people find it helpful to get their family’s support getting them to keep snacks out of sight so that they cannot be tempted.
If you have diabetes and are on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic tablets, please discuss with your doctor or your diabetes nurse as your insulin or tablets may need to be reduced.
By following a strict diet, your body reduces its glycogen stores. Glycogen is a form of sugar stored in the liver and muscle for energy. With each ounce of glycogen, the body stores 3 to 4 ounces of water. So when you follow a very strict diet, especially one that is low in starch and sugar, your body loses its glycogen stores and some water. The liver shrinks as it has less glycogen and water. As mentioned, do not undo your hard work the week before your operation by having a last supper. The last supper will cause you to put all your glycogen stores back very quickly and make your liver larger again.
This diet is only recommended for the 7 to 10 days before surgery and is not to be followed afterwards. You may find that you lose a lot of weight that week but it will mainly be water loss. Please make sure that you continue to drink each day. If possible, please make a note of the weight that you are before the diet and count that as your weight before surgery.
Many people find it helpful to get their family’s support getting them to keep snacks out of sight so that they cannot be tempted.
If you have diabetes and are on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic tablets, please discuss with your doctor or your diabetes nurse as your insulin or tablets may need to be reduced.
Sample Menu
Breakfast
Small bowl of cereal e.g. 1 weetabix, 3 tablespoons cereal
Or
1 slice toast/bread with scraping of margarine
Or
1 slice toast/bread with scraping of margarine
Lunch
1 slice bread or 2 crisp breads with scraping of margarine
Salad or tomatoes (no dressings)
Small portion of meat (1 slice weighing approximately 50g or 2 oz) or fish or cheese (small matchbox size) or small tub of cottage cheese or 2 eggs or 3 tablespoons baked beans
Examples for lunch include: open sandwich of ham and salad, baked beans on toast, small portion of grated cheese and sliced tomato on toast, crisp breads with cottage cheese and side salad
Salad or tomatoes (no dressings)
Small portion of meat (1 slice weighing approximately 50g or 2 oz) or fish or cheese (small matchbox size) or small tub of cottage cheese or 2 eggs or 3 tablespoons baked beans
Examples for lunch include: open sandwich of ham and salad, baked beans on toast, small portion of grated cheese and sliced tomato on toast, crisp breads with cottage cheese and side salad
Dinner
1 small potato or 2 tablespoons of pasta or rice or cous cous
Vegetables or salad
Small portion of meat or fish or cheese or eggs or quorn or tofu or bean dish (meat/fish/quorn/tofu/beans may be cooked with tinned tomatoes, onions, stock and herbs)
Examples for dinner include: Small baked potato, carrots and slice of roast beef, 2 tablespoons pasta with peas and mince cooked with tinned tomatoes, onion, stock and herbs, 2 tablespoons of rice with broccoli and bean casserole
One third of pint of milk over the day for drinks and cereals
Two portions of fruit e.g. apple, pear, banana, orange. (Grapefruit or melon may be eaten in addition)
Water, tea, coffee, low calorie squash, low calorie fizzy drinks may be drunk freely. (Limit fruit juice to one glass per day.)
One low fat low sugar yoghurt or fromage frais peVegetables or salad
Small portion of meat or fish or cheese or eggs or quorn or tofu or bean dish (meat/fish/quorn/tofu/beans may be cooked with tinned tomatoes, onions, stock and herbs)
Examples for dinner include: Small baked potato, carrots and slice of roast beef, 2 tablespoons pasta with peas and mince cooked with tinned tomatoes, onion, stock and herbs, 2 tablespoons of rice with broccoli and bean casserole
One third of pint of milk over the day for drinks and cereals
Two portions of fruit e.g. apple, pear, banana, orange. (Grapefruit or melon may be eaten in addition)
Water, tea, coffee, low calorie squash, low calorie fizzy drinks may be drunk freely. (Limit fruit juice to one glass per day.)
