Why is a Pre -Surgery Bariatric Diet Important?
To successfully perform all types of weight loss surgery procedures, your bariatric surgeon needs to make small incisions and manipulate the organs within the abdominal cavity. An enlarged liver can obstruct access and visibility, making surgical complications more likely. So, one of the most crucial things you can do before bariatric surgery is adhere to a pre-weight loss surgery diet to shrink your liver. You may be advised you need to follow a two week pre bariatric surgery diet, or longer.
A pre-surgery bariatric diet will help your liver decrease in size and give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs for post-surgery recovery. Losing weight will also lower your chance of experiencing complications during and after surgery. Additionally, following a pre-surgery bariatric diet before you start the strict, liquid-based bariatric diet — which you will typically need to adhere to for two days before your surgery date — will also help you prepare yourself for the dietary changes required post-bariatric surgery.
Pre-weight Loss Surgery Food Options
Usually, you will receive a set pre-bariatric surgery diet to follow two weeks before your bariatric surgery date. At Be Slim Bariatrics (BSB), we know there is no set pre-surgery bariatric nutrition plan that is appropriate for everyone, so if you choose to have weight loss surgery in Tijuana with BSB, you will receive a nutrition program based on your bariatric surgery procedure, medical history, specific dietary requirements, and BMI.
However, a few fundamental components of a pre-surgery bariatric diet applicable to all weight loss surgery types can be found below:
- Increase protein — A pre-bariatric surgery diet will include protein-rich foods like cottage cheese, plain yogurt, chicken, turkey, white fish, and eggs. This helps to keep you fuller and helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss.
- Reduce calories — You don’t have to give up your favorite foods to eat healthier. Swap beef meatballs for turkey meatballs and replace pork bacon with turkey bacon. By making simple substitutions, you can still enjoy similar flavors and textures while reducing your calorie intake.
- Eat more vegetables — Vegetables are full of nutrients and generally low in calories. Snacking on raw vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber, and broccoli, can help you avoid high-calorie and high-fat snacks. You should also eat leafy greens like kale and spinach and legumes such as peas or lentils with your evening meal.
- Limit sugar — Many processed foods contain added sugar — especially ready meals, which should be avoided during the pre-surgery bariatric diet unless otherwise approved by a bariatric nutritionist.. Additionally, you must be wary of high-sugar drinks, including pure fruit juice and soft drinks like iced tea. Fizzy soda and energy drinks can also be loaded with calories. Small changes like swapping fizzy soda for water and avoiding processed food can make a big difference.
It is often necessary to follow a liquid-based diet for a period of two days before weight loss surgery. Protein shakes, along with liquid broth and vegetable juice, may make up a significant part of your nutrition during this period.
Dependent on your surgeon or registered nutritionist approval you may be able to consume:
- Water
- Gatorade or Powerade zero carb
- Clear protein shake (2 max /day)
- Vitamin water zero
- Apple juice diluted 50%
- Chicken, beef or fish broth
- Jell-O light
- Popsicles sugar free
To ensure you consume the correct amount of daily calories and protein, you should always adhere to the guided nutritional plan provided by your bariatric surgery provider.
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