Utilization of Very Low Calorie Diet in Obese General Surgery Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who are obese, BMI \>30, and scheduled by a Christiana Care-employed general surgeon for elective general surgery. * Patients between the ages of 18 and 65. * Patients scheduled for elective cholecystectomy, ventral or incisional hernia, umbilical hernia, and inguinal hernia surgery. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients will be excluded from the study if they have any of the following: 1. Recent myocardial infarction (3-6 months). 2. History of cerebral vascular accident (stroke). 3. Diabetes mellitus with a history of severe ketoacidosis. 4. Patients on SGLT2 inhibitors (glifozins) without insulin 5. Chronic use of steroids, greater than 20mg daily. 6. Bleeding peptic ulcer (unless there is radiological evidence of healing 6 months prior to entry). 7. A psychiatric history that includes suicide attempts and anyone taking psychotropic drugs, including lithium carbonate. 8. Active thrombophlebitis (or any other condition where decreased blood volume would put the patient at risk). * In addition, patients who are pregnant are excluded. If status is unknown, a pregnancy test will be required prior to the start of the VLCD.