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Pre-Operative Liquid Diet Before Having Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery helps morbidly obese individuals lose weight by restricting food intake 2. There are different types of surgeries, but they all involve dividing the stomach to reduce the amount of food you can consume. Gastric bypass surgery is a major operation and does carry some risks. Following your doctor-ordered pre-op diet helps minimize surgical risk and shorten recovery time, while preparing you for your new post-op way of eating.
Gastric Bypass Basics
After surgery, your new stomach may only hold a few tablespoons of food. Over time, your stomach -- also called your "pouch" -- may stretch, allowing you to consume about 1 cup of food at a time -- still far less than the 4 cups a normal stomach can hold. To maintain your weight loss you'll still need regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
Diet Before Surgery
How to Plan a Weekly Menu for Post-Bariatric Surgery
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Most surgeons require a strict diet before surgery. Losing as much fat as possible, especially abdominal fat, decreases surgical risk. Depending on the type of surgery you're having, your pre-op diet may start three weeks or three months before surgery 12. Your doctor may not be require you to be on a liquid diet that entire time, but it's common to be on a liquids-only diet for the last two weeks before your operation. This diet is typically low-calorie, often between 800 and 1,200 calories. Generally, you drink sugar-free, low-carb shakes high in protein. Protein helps preserve lean muscle mass and can help you recover after surgery. Expect to consume between 70 and 120 g of protein daily.
- Most surgeons require a strict diet before surgery.
- Your doctor may not be require you to be on a liquid diet that entire time, but it's common to be on a liquids-only diet for the last two weeks before your operation.
Following Your Pre-Op Diet
Changing your diet before surgery prepares you both physically and mentally for your new post-op lifestyle 2. Your willingness and ability to follow through with the recommendations made by your health care team and to carry out prescribed changes in your diet and exercise routine also help determine if gastric bypass surgery is right for you. Your doctor may postpone surgery if you don't make the necessary changes. Your diet before surgery also prepares you for your post-op diet, which limits carbs, fat and sugar 2.
Non-Liquid Pre-Op Diet
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If you smoke, you should stop. You may need to add a protein supplement to increase your protein intake without adding too many more calories.
Considerations
If you do not completely adhere to the restricted pre-operative diet, inform your doctor right away. Your surgeon may recommend postponing your surgery to reduce any surgical or anesthesia risks.
Related Articles
References
- Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: Weight Loss Surgery Pre-Op Diet
- Bariatric.us: Bariatric Surgery Pre-Op Diet
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Who is a candidate for bariatric surgery?
- Wiggins T, Guidozzi N, Welbourn R, Ahmed AR, Markar SR. Association of bariatric surgery with all-cause mortality and incidence of obesity-related disease at a population level: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med. 2020;17(7):e1003206. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003206
- Rebecchi F, Ugliono E, Palagi S, Genzone A, Toppino M, Morino M. Robotic "Double Loop" Roux-en-Y gastric bypass reduces the risk of postoperative internal hernias: a prospective observational study [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 28]. Surg Endosc. 2020. doi:10.1007/s00464-020-07901-0
- Pereyra-Talamantes A, Flores-Martín JE, Almazán-Urbina FE, Rosales-Rocha R, López-Téllez HS. Benefits of multidisciplinary team management of obese patients with intragastric balloon placement: an analysis of 159 cases at a single center [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 14]. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;S1550-7289(20)30406-8. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2020.07.006
- Ruzieh M, Rogers AM, Banerjee K, et al. Safety of bariatric surgery in patients with coronary artery disease [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 23]. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;S1550-7289(20)30418-4. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2020.07.015
- Smith KE, Mason TB, Cao L, Crosby RD, Steffen KJ, Garcia L, King WC, Mitchell JE. Trajectories of depressive symptoms and relationships with weight loss in the seven years after bariatric surgery. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2020 Sep 12:S1871-403X(20)30575-5. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2020.08.007. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32933863.
- Gray EC, Dawoud F, Janelle M, Hodge M. Drain Placement During Bariatric Surgery, Helpful or Harmful? [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 24]. Am Surg. 2020;3134820942168. doi:10.1177/0003134820942168
- Zaigham H, Ekelund M, Regnér S, Olsson Å. Abdominal pain after gastric bypass in the acute general surgical care setting [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 16]. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;S1550-7289(20)30410-X.doi:10.1016/j.soard.2020.07.008
- Matevish LE, Hawkins AT, Bethurum AJ, et al. Change in Total Body Water as a Metric for Predicting Need for Outpatient Intravenous Fluids in Postoperative Bariatric Patients [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 29]. Am Surg. 2020;3134820945271. doi:10.1177/0003134820945271
- Brzozowska MM, Tran T, Bliuc D, et al. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery result in long term bone loss [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 26]. Int J Obes (Lond). 2020;10.1038/s41366-020-00660-x. doi:10.1038/s41366-020-00660-x
Writer Bio
Maura Shenker is a certified holistic nutritionist and health counselor who started her writing career in 2010. She leads group workshops, counsels individual clients and blogs about diet and lifestyle choices. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design, a Master of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University and is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.