Pre-operative liquid diet guidelines

Congratulations! Your surgery date is approaching and it’s time to prepare for the best possible outcome. Your surgeon has ordered a liquid diet for two weeks immediately preceding your surgery.

Liquid meals

You must drink three liquid meals of Carnation® Breakfast Essentials™ each day. • Do NOT use canned pre-mixed shakes. It is okay to drink regular Carnation mix pre-surgery. • We strongly recommend using Hood Simply Smart Milk or Fairlife Fat Free Milk (lactose free) when you make your drinks. They contain 2 more grams of protein per serving compared to other brands.

Snacks

In addition to your three liquid meals, you may also have the following snacks: • Sugar-free Jell-O, any flavor • Sugar-free popsicles • Crystal Light (drink or drink mixes) • Herbal tea, any flavor (unsweetened) • Sugar-free flavored waters • Bouillon or Broth, preferably diluted (limit to one cup daily)

Yogurt/pudding

You may have ONE serving per day of the following: • Fat-free Greek or Skyr yogurt usually has 100-130 calories per serving • Fat-free, sugar-free pudding, any flavor. Must be made with either Hood Simply Smart Milk or

Fairlife Fat Free Milk (lactose free). Do not use ready-made pudding cups.

Fruit

You may also have ONE serving per day of fresh, frozen or canned fruit, e.g.: • 1 cup melon cubes, any kind • ½ cup pineapple • ½ cup fruit salad (plain) • 15 small grapes • ¾ cup strawberries, blueberries or raspberries • 1 medium apple, pear or orange • 1 small banana • 12 cherries

Don’t forget

• You must wean yourself off all caffeinated and carbonated beverages ASAP. • Sip slowly. Do NOT gulp your drinks. This is a good habit to develop now as it will be very important after surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns about this diet, please feel free to call us at 978-825-6505.