Deciding to undergo bariatric surgery is a serious decision and lifelong commitment. This lifelong commitment starts with the pre bariatric surgery liquid diet.
Studies have shown that a low-calorie, low carbs, low fat, high protein liquid diet for 2 weeks before bariatric surgery not only starts the weight loss process, but also decreases the size of the liver by up to 25%.
Most patients with morbid obesity have a fatty and enlarged liver. In order to perform bariatric surgery the surgeon needs to elevate the left side of the liver to gain access to the stomach. If the liver is significantly enlarged the operation can be significantly harder or sometimes even impossible.
Some studies have described the pre bariatric surgery liquid diet as very low calorie (500 calories per day) diet. As you can imagine most of the patient’s are not looking forward to this 2 weeks before surgery. The purpose of this post is not only to explain to you the pre bariatric surgery liquid diet but also to get you motivated to undergo one of the biggest changes of your life.
Remember Low Fat, Low Carbs and HIGH Protein
All patient’s in our program are required to start the liquid diet 2 weeks before their surgery date. During this time it is important to focus and calculate the amount of protein consumed during the day.
Adequate amount of protein help ensure good nutritional status prior and during surgery. Protein allows the body to heal the tissues during surgery.
Having low consumption of protein prior to surgery it is not recommended.
Most patient’s should consume 60-80 g of protein per day depending on their body weight. Most patients need 1-1.5 grams of protein per kilogram per day.
The first 48-72 hours after starting the liquid diet are the most challenging. You will feel significant hunger until the body induces ketosis, which means that the body is using protein as the main source of energy versus carbohydrates.
Remember to drink your water, at least 64-96 ounces daily to flush your system.
Vitamin Supplements is Key
You should also supplement your pre bariatric surgery liquid diet with a multivitamin and calcium supplementation. You might want to buy chewable forms of vitamins as you will not be able to swallow large pills immediately after surgery. I also suggest that you buy vitamins specifically design for bariatric patients. Most of the bariatric vitamins have higher concentration of minerals and vitamins needed after weight loss surgery. You can look into bariatric advantage and bariatric fusion.
The list below provides recommended liquids and supplements considered acceptable during this 2 weeks. This is only a guide to help you during this 2 weeks, feel free to combine these recommendations and adjust them to your own liking.
- Protein drinks: this will be your main source of protein during the pre bariatric surgery liquid diet. 2-3 per day of the examples listed below.
- Whey, Soy or Egg Whites protein powder mixed with water, skim milk, Crystal Light or sugar-free Kool-aid .
- Pre-Made Protein Drinks:
- Carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added), Atkins, EAS Advantage, Slimfast Low Carb and Special K or any other with low carbs and high protein
- Sugar free jello: 1-3 per day
- Sugar free popsicles: 1-3 per day
- Sugar free low fat pudding: 1-2 per day
- Light or Greek yogurt: 1 per day
- Hot cereals: plain oatmeal, grits (no butter, no eggs on top), cream of wheat
- Broth based soups
- Fruit: 2 per day (one portion is a hand full), if you are starving and need something solid pick one of the fruits from below
- One banana, one apple, one pear, one peach
- Hand full of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or grapes
- Canned fuit is ok, NO syrup
- Drinks: Non carbonated beverages.
- Water, Water and more Water (no calories)
- Crystal light, Sugar free Kool-aid, Minute Maid Light, Gatorade G2, Powerade Zero, Vitamin Water Zero
- Tea/Coffee:16 oz. maximum per day
- NO SUGAR, use Sweet’N Low, Equal, Stevia or Splenda
- Unsweetened Tea preferred
- Big NO NO’s:
- Sodas of any kind
- Beer or alcohol drinks
- Regular milk
Count Your Calories, Grams of Protein, Get an App
This is a guide, you can modify the above recommendations but remember it’s all about low carbs, low fat, high protein. Remember to look at the food charts or nutritional facts of the packages. If you have a smart phone get an app that will help you count the calories, grams of protein and fat. I like the app Lose it or MyFitnessPal.
Also remember that Google knows a lot.
Ask google how many grams of protein in an egg and Google will tell you.
Pre Bariatric Surgery Liquid Diet Success Depends on Your Mindset
The Pre Bariatric Surgery Liquid Diet is a crucial step on the weight loss surgery journey. The first several days will be hard, but it will get better. Just remember eating the wrong things got you to this point. Now is the time to take control, don’t let your body dictate your behavior anymore.
Take control, change your mindset and you will succeed. Weight loss surgery will help you win the battle against Morbid Obesity but the first and most important step is to change your mindset.
TAKE ACTION AND GET MOVING.