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Before Surgery Diet

More than 2 Weeks Before Surgery

  • Abstain from high-fat and fried foods.
  • Cut out table sugar and sweets
  • Use only sugar substitutes such as Sweet & low, Equal, or Splenda.
  • Stop drinking sweetened drinks such as regular soda and juices.
  • Begin weaning off caffeine and carbonated beverages.
  • Try making healthy meal choices when eating out and choose to eat at home more.
  • Eat 3-5 small meals a day, starting with a balanced breakfast.
  • Start decreasing portion sizes.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables.
  • Drink 64 ounces of water a day, between meals.
  • Practice sipping liquids.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Begin an exercise regimen (cardio/strength).
  • Practice chewing foods thoroughly, 20 – 40 times or to paste consistency.
  • Purchase your protein drinks or supplements.
  • Talk to Dr. Shillingford about vitamin and mineral supplements.
  • Begin planning a schedule for mealtime, fluids and vitamin and mineral supplements.

Two Weeks Before Surgery

Two weeks prior to surgery you will begin a liquid pre-bariatric surgery diet. Generally this will be composed of pretein shakes totaling 800-1200 calories per day, and consisting of 40-100 grams of protein each day. The purpose of this diet is to reduce body fat in the abdomen, especially in and around the live. This creates a safer environment for surgery and reduces laparoscopic surgery time. Increasing protein intake also encourages the body to burn fat instead of muscle when put on a low-calorie diet. Ultimately, patients will eat a reduced calorie, high protein and low carbohydrate diet long term, therefore, its is beneficial to start making these changes pre-operatively.

You should start the following pre-op diet 14 days before your surgery:

  • Replace all your meals with protein supplements, using one of the following:
    • Slim-Fast Original – up to 6 per day
    • Slim-Fast Optima – up to 7 per day
    • Slim-Fast High-Protein – up to 7 per day
    • Slim-Fast Smoothies (99% lactose-free) – up to 7 per day
    • Boost or Boost with fiber (lactose-free) – up to 5 per day
    • Ensure (lactose-free) – up to 5 per day
    • Any other protein supplement that is high in protein (15 grams)
  • Have sugar-free clear liquids like vegetable broth (no vegetables) and water.
  • Foods Not Allowed: Drinks with sugar (like Gatorade, Powerade, Kool-Aid, or Hawaiian Punch), drinks with carbonation (anything that fizzes, like diet coke, etc), drinks with caffeine, whole milk, and all solid foods.
  • Resist the “last supper syndrome” – extra weight added, is extra weight to be lost.
  • Strict compliance with this diet is mandatory and will make your surgery and subsequent recovery easier.

Attention Diabetics! Choose a diabetes-friendly protein supplement, such as Glucerna, and be sure to monitor your blood sugars and contact Dr. Shillingford if necessary.