What Is a Typical Pre-Bariatric Surgery Diet?

Are you exploring bariatric surgery options? In committing to weight loss surgery, you’re committing to changing your diet. 

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, our board-certified bariatric surgeons, Dexter Turnquest, MD, and Victoria C. Chang, MD, offer a number of weight loss procedures. All of them require a special presurgical and postsurgical diet. 

Your stomach will be significantly smaller after surgery, so you won’t be able to consume the same sweet, sugary foods that you did previously. In fact, they may make you feel ill. 

Why do I have a special diet before bariatric surgery? 

Your pre- and post-op diets are crucial to the success of your weight loss surgery. Here’s why. 

Makes the surgery easier 

Eating a low carbohydrate diet before your surgery lessens the fatty deposits near your liver, so we can reach your stomach more easily. 

Reduces risks of complications

Being obese places you in a high risk category for surgery. Losing weight before your surgery lowers your risk of complications. 

Changes your eating patterns 

Losing weight before your surgery gives you confidence that you can achieve your goals, and it shows us that you’re serious about making changes to your lifestyle and eating patterns. You begin to form a new relationship with food.

Pre-bariatric surgery diet until close to your surgical date

Specific instructions for your pre-op diet vary depending on your particular weight loss surgery, but here are some basic guidelines on a typical diet. 

You begin the diet in the weeks prior to your surgery. Go through your pantry and discard items that you won’t be able to eat after the surgery. That way you won’t be tempted. We tell you when you should start your new routine. 

Limit carbohydrates

It’s time to cut sugary desserts and drinks out of your diet. Eliminate candy, juice, and soft drinks as well as baked goods like pies, cakes, and cookies. Limit or eliminate bread, pasta, potatoes, and other starchy foods high in carbohydates. 

Eliminate saturated fats 

Avoid high-fat dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese. Eliminate any food with trans fats. 

Focus on lean protein 

During this time, your diet may include 60-120 grams of protein every day. Getting enough protein helps you feel full. It also helps your body burn fat instead of muscle. Poultry without the skin, salmon, and eggs are good sources. 

Limit portions

You may be used to consuming large portions of the foods you like. Now it’s time to limit the portions to a normal or small size. Investing in a scale that tells you how many ounces you’re consuming is helpful. 

Hydration 

Stay hydrated, but follow these guidelines: 

• Drink beverages slowly. 
• Avoid carbonated drinks. 
• Don’t drink beverages with your meals.
• Wait 30 minutes after you eat to drink anything. 

Eliminate alcohol and don’t smoke

Drinking alcohol and smoking before surgery increases your chance of surgical complications, including infection and a cardiac event. It can also damage your liver. 

Diet close to your surgical date 

As your surgery date approaches, you move to an all-liquid diet. You consume protein and meal replacement shakes, and you may drink clear broth as well as vegetable juice, but not fruit juice. 

We provide you with written instructions for your specific pre- and post-op diet. Following these guidelines helps ensure the success of your surgery. Plus, your diet after surgery won’t be a complete shock. You’ll find that cutting out the sugar makes you feel better. 

Call us at one of our Houston, Texas, locations or request an appointment online today to learn more about weight loss surgery. It can help you lead your best life.