"eating light" day b/4????

My pre op orders say to "eat light" the day before my surgery...... What exactly does that mean?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was not given any specific dietary instructions, but after reading a lot of messages on the pre-op board, decided to voluntarily make that day a semi "liquids only" day and I'm glad I did. For lunch I had some hot and sour soup from a chinese restaurant and for dinner I just had some pudding. No roughage at all. Hope that helps a little.

The day before my surgery I was allowed to eat from the following list:

Apple juice, gingerale, black tea or coffee, water;
Jello, popsicles, or clear chicken broth or beef broth.

I was kept on this diet in the hospital until I moved my bowels. When I received these instructions, I was sure I'd be starving by the time I had surgery (which was scheduled for 1:30 in the afternoon), but it really didn't bother me not to eat solid foods. I honestly think I was too nervous to eat.

Hi. My doctor's nurse and the hospital preop instructions gave pretty specific ideas like baked potato and baked chicken. Nothing spicy or strongly flavored. I got the impression that this was because it would be very unpleasant if it did "come up" after the anesthesia as some folks get sick to their stomachs from the meds.I ate a burger and fries for lunch but plan only a baked chicken breast and baked potato for supper with decaf iced tea. Then nothing after midnight. My surgery is as 7 a.m. tomorrow. Good luck! Deb

I was given very specific and strict instrutions by my surgeon (TAH +ovaries very large uterene tumors). He was a gyn oncologist and wanted everything cleaned out in case there needed to be involvement with bowels or intestine. Plus your digestive system shuts down for a few days afterward. I was on clear liquids the day before plus taking that carbonated laxative. Then I was on no food or water for 24 hours after surgery (prevent nausea) and clear liquids again for one day before I could have solids. It also bought me extra time in the hospital (HMO waits until you are on solids and off IV). I was glad later, no nausea! I had a friend who did light food before and had a very rough recovery from a much less extensive procedure (one ovary). My recovery went great. Good luck.