Leena Watts
Bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision that can lead to dramatic improvements in a patient's health and happiness. It is a weight-loss surgery that involves reducing the size of the stomach, which changes the way the body digests food. Before undergoing bariatric surgery, it is essential to consult with a physician and commit to a lifestyle change, including eating the right foods in the right portions. The pre-surgery diet usually involves reducing body fat, especially in the abdominal region, and typically starts a few months before the surgery. It is recommended to consult a dietitian to determine the specific diet plan and portion sizes suitable for the individual. This pre-operative nutrition plan helps prepare the body for surgery, improve results, and lower the risk of complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To reduce body fat in the abdominal region, especially in and around the liver |
| Timing | About three months before surgery |
| Weight loss | Depending on weight, it may be recommended to lose 5-10 pounds, or up to 10% of body weight if extremely obese |
| Diet | Low-sugar, low-fat, full-liquid diet (64 ounces per day) that's high in protein and low in carbs |
| Protein | 60-100 grams of protein per day |
| Supplements | Vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and a multivitamin |
| Post-surgery diet | Clear liquid diet for the first few days, gradually adding thicker liquids, then pureed foods |
| Portion sizes | Manage portion sizes with the help of a healthcare team or dietitian |
| Food groups | Avoid rice, bread, raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and meats that are not easily chewed |
| Calories | Follow a diet low in calories, fats, and sweets |
| Hydration | Drink at least 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids daily |
| Exercise | Start or resume an exercise program |
| Support | Maintain a strong support system to help with the lifestyle change |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce body fat
To reduce body fat before bariatric surgery, it is important to follow a pre-surgery diet and nutrition plan. This will help prepare your body for surgery, improve results and lower the risk of complications. It is recommended to start this diet at least six months before surgery, as significant weight loss before the procedure can reduce the size of your liver, making the surgery safer and more manageable for the surgeon. During this period, you should focus on eating a balanced diet that includes lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, while limiting your intake of high-calorie, high-fat and high-sugar foods.
Your pre-operative nutrition plan will be introduced to you by your care team, and you will meet with a registered dietitian to help you understand and adopt new behaviours for eating after bariatric surgery. These behaviours will be critical in helping you to achieve and maintain the benefits of surgery. You should also consult with weight-loss professionals, such as a registered dietitian or your bariatric surgeon, who can provide personalised recommendations and guidance to help you achieve your weight-loss goals and prepare for surgery.
In the months leading up to your surgery, you should focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods that provide your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals. This includes lean protein sources such as chicken, fish and tofu, as well as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. It is important to limit your intake of processed and high-fat foods, as these can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of complications during surgery. Instead, opt for healthier cooking methods such as grilling or baking.
As your surgery date nears, you may need to follow a mostly liquid or liquid-only diet. Depending on your weight and overall health, your doctor may allow you to eat some solids during this time, such as fish, watered-down hot cereal or soft-boiled eggs. It is important to ask your anesthesiologist for instructions on what you can and cannot consume before surgery, as recommendations may vary depending on your situation. For example, your doctor may want you to drink carbohydrate-rich fluids up to two hours before surgery.
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Eat low-calorie, high-protein, low-fat, and low-carb foods
Eating low-calorie, high-protein, low-fat, and low-carb foods is a crucial part of preparing for and recovering from bariatric surgery. This type of diet helps to ensure your body heals properly and gets the nutrients it needs following surgery.
Before Surgery
In the weeks leading up to bariatric surgery, it is important to start making dietary changes in consultation with a dietitian. This typically involves a low-sugar, low-fat, full-liquid diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The goal of this pre-surgery diet is to reduce the size of the liver, making the surgery easier to perform. It is also important to begin losing weight, with the amount depending on your starting weight. Losing weight before surgery increases your chances of success afterward.
After Surgery
Immediately following bariatric surgery, you will start with a clear liquid diet, gradually adding thicker, high-protein, and low-fat liquids. It is important to take small sips or bites of any new food and wait 10 minutes before taking more to avoid overeating and to learn your limits. You will then progress to blended and pureed foods, continuing to focus on high-protein, low-calorie options. Aim for around 60 to 100 grams of protein per day, eating your proteins first in every meal to help meet your protein goals and reduce cravings for carbs or sugar.
To increase your protein intake, add non-fat dry milk powder, egg substitute, or other protein powders to liquids or soft foods. Remember to drink plenty of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals and take a multivitamin supplement, as your body may have trouble absorbing vitamins and minerals after surgery.
As your body adjusts, you can gradually increase the variety and consistency of foods in your diet. However, some foods may continue to be poorly tolerated, including red meats, chicken, bread, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Overall, it is important to focus on low-fat, low-sugar, and low-calorie foods while managing your portion sizes.
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Drink 60-80 ounces of fluids per day
Drinking 60-80 ounces of fluids per day is a crucial step in the recovery process after bariatric surgery. This surgery significantly reduces stomach size, and the body's ability to absorb calories and nutrients is altered. As such, staying hydrated is essential for healing and maintaining overall health.
Post-bariatric surgery, patients are advised to consume at least 64 ounces of fluids daily, equivalent to about 4 to 6 ounces of liquid every hour. This recommendation ensures adequate hydration and helps prevent dehydration, which is a common complication after weight-loss surgeries. Patients should be mindful that this is a lifelong commitment to support their health and recovery.
The type of fluids consumed is also important. Water is the best option, and patients are encouraged to drink at least 2 to 3 quarts (64 to 96 ounces) of non-carbonated water or other liquids daily. Sugar-free or low-calorie beverages are recommended, with a maximum of 5 calories per 8-ounce serving. Caffeinated drinks should be limited to a maximum of 8 to 16 ounces per day, and coffee and tea drinkers should avoid adding sugar or fat.
In addition to the type and amount of fluids, timing is also crucial. Patients should avoid drinking fluids 15 to 30 minutes before a meal, during the meal, and for 30 minutes to an hour after the meal. This prevents liquid from quickly flushing food through the stomach, which can lead to overeating and discomfort.
Following these guidelines for fluid intake ensures that patients stay adequately hydrated, supporting their recovery and overall health while adapting to their new dietary and nutritional needs after bariatric surgery.
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Take vitamin and mineral supplements
Bariatric surgery reduces the size of your stomach, which limits the amount of food you can eat and changes the way your body digests food. This means your body may have trouble absorbing vitamins and minerals. To compensate for this, it is important to take vitamin and mineral supplements.
Your doctor may prescribe supplements such as vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and a multivitamin. You will likely need to take these for the rest of your life. Supplements can come in the form of drinks or powders, which can help you meet your nutritional requirements.
In the months leading up to your surgery, your care team will introduce you to your pre-operative nutrition plan, which will help you prepare your body for surgery and improve results. This will include information on which supplements to take.
It is important to closely follow the nutrition, vitamin, and mineral supplementation recommendations from your surgeon and dietitian to ensure you get proper nutrition and do not have complications.
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Eat smaller portions
Bariatric surgery reduces the size of your stomach and changes the way your body digests food. As a result, you will feel full after eating smaller amounts of food. Eating smaller portions is a habit that will help you continue to lose weight and prepare you for how you’ll eat for the rest of your life.
Before undergoing bariatric surgery, you will need to consult with a dietitian and start losing weight. Depending on your weight, it may be recommended that you lose 5-10 pounds, or up to 10% of your body weight if you are extremely obese. You will need to switch to a low-sugar, low-fat, full-liquid diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. This will help reduce the size of your liver, making it easier to perform surgery.
Immediately following surgery, you will begin with a clear liquid diet, gradually adding thicker liquids to your diet after you are discharged from the hospital. Two weeks following surgery, you may progress to blended and puréed foods. You may use high-protein, low-calorie liquid supplement drinks or powders to meet your protein requirements during this period. It is important to only take a few sips or bites at a time of any new food and then wait 10 minutes before taking more. Liquids will empty faster from your stomach than soft solids.
In the long term, you will be able to increase the variety and consistency of foods in your diet. However, it is important to continue eating smaller portions and focusing on low-fat, low-sugar, and low-calorie foods. You should also meet your serving goals for all food groups based on a 900 to 1,000 calorie diet plan. In addition, you should drink at least 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids daily to stay well hydrated.
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Frequently asked questions
Before bariatric surgery, you should follow a pre-operative nutrition plan that is tailored to your health, weight, and bariatric procedure. This will be determined by your bariatric surgeon or a dietitian. Generally, you will be required to reduce your body fat, especially in the abdominal region, by decreasing your consumption of fats, sugary foods and drinks, and high-carbohydrate foods. You may also be asked to take protein supplements.
The main purpose of a pre-surgery diet is to reduce body fat, especially in and around the liver, to increase patient safety and lower the risk of complications. This can also shorten the operating time for laparoscopic surgery.
After bariatric surgery, you will need to follow a postoperative diet plan that consists of several stages. The first stage involves a clear liquid diet, which will help your stomach heal. After this, you can move on to thicker liquids, blended and puréed foods, and eventually, solid foods. You should focus on eating high-protein, low-calorie, low-fat, and low-sugar foods.
It is important to watch your portion sizes and listen to your body. If you find that you cannot tolerate a certain food, do not eat it. You should also take vitamin and mineral supplements, as your body may have trouble absorbing these nutrients after surgery. Additionally, you should maintain a strong support system, as this major lifestyle change can be challenging.
