Utilization of Very Low Calorie Diet in Obese General Surgery Patients

The investigators are studying the use of a two-week very low calorie diet (VLCD) in obese general surgery patients in a randomized single-blinded trial. The investigators hypothesize that the VLCD will positively impact the perceived surgical difficulty, operative time, hospital length of stay and 30-day complications. Additionally, the investigators anticipate reduced perioperative blood glucose levels and a reduced need for perioperative insulin administration.

The investigators' objective for this project is to determine the impact of a preoperative VLCD on outcomes for patients undergoing elective general surgery. Included are patients who are obese, BMI \>30, and scheduled by a Christiana Care-employed general surgeon for elective general surgery. Eligible patients are those scheduled for elective cholecystectomy, ventral or incisional hernia, umbilical hernia, and inguinal hernia surgery. The investigators will also be determining the feasibility of introducing a preoperative VLCD for patients undergoing elective general surgery in a Community Hospital setting.