I was told 2week liquid diet was to shrink my liver so surgery was safer, but Dr. Pleatman on this panel said that wasn't true.

Question

What is correct? Does it make surgery safer by shrinking the liver or is it as Pleatman said and only for weight loss?

Carson C. Cunningham, MD · Answer

Pre-op diet should be a high protein, low calorie regimen. If done correctly, it results in weight loss and reduction of fat deposits in the liver. The loss of the fat deposits "shrinks" the liver.

Mark Pleatman, MD (retired) · Answer

I don't know which comment of mine you are referring to.  Yes, a 2-week liquid protein diet will shrink your liver and cause weight loss.  I personally don't require it of all patients because it costs money and isn't necessarily pleasant.  This week I saw several patients weighing more than 450 pounds, with BMIs above 60 and even 80.  I have asked them to do the liquid protein diet for MORE than 2 weeks.  But for most patients with reasonable BMIs and "favorable" anatomy, I only ask that they don't gain weight, and try to eat sensibly and lose a few pounds.There are many programs where you don't meet your surgeon until right before your operation.  At these programs it is safer to just require everybody to do the 2-week diet; that way less thinking is involved, and those whose surgery is made safer benefit, while everybody else suffers a bit but isn't otherwise harmed.

I was told 2week liquid diet was to shrink my liver so surgery was safer, but Dr. Pleatman on this panel said that wasn't true.

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I was told 2week liquid diet was to shrink my liver so surgery was safer, but Dr. Pleatman on this panel said that wasn't true.

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Everything you need to know about Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.