Bariatric surgery is a great way to lose weight, but it isn’t simply a matter of having the operation. There is also a pre-bariatric surgery diet that you must follow – and this diet is critically important to the success of your surgery.
Why?
Well, for one, people who are candidates for bariatric surgery often have enlarged livers, which disrupt surgery. The bariatric diet pre surgery is designed to help shrink your liver and prepare your stomach for the procedure.
While the pre-bariatric diet is an essential part of losing weight, it doesn’t have to be an ordeal. This short blog will help you to know what you can eat and how you can prepare for everything you encounter while doing this diet.
By the end, you’ll know how to survive the liquid diet before bariatric surgery. But, in order to get there, you need to understand what the pre-bariatric surgery diet is!
What is the pre-bariatric surgery diet?
The liquid pre-bariatric surgery diet consists of full liquid foods, and helps to shrink the size of the liver, which makes the surgery safer and easier.
No solid foods are allowed during this time.
This diet typically lasts for two weeks before surgery, but may be shorter or longer depending on the individual case. Following this diet is essential to the success of your surgery, so it is important to follow it closely.
What can I eat on the pre-bariatric surgery diet?
This bariatric pre op liquid diet list may seem very restrictive, but it is essential to the success of your surgery. Following this diet closely will help to ensure that your surgery is safe and successful.
You can have:
Vegetable juices
You can drink vegetable juices such as carrot juice, beet juice, or celery juice as part of your bariatric diet pre surgery. You can also add these juices to soups or smoothies.
Soups
There are many different types of soups that you can include in the pre-bariatric surgery diet. You can have vegetable soups, meat-based soups, or even bean soups!
Broths
Broths are another great option for a bariatric diet pre surgery. You can add chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable broth to your bariatric pre op liquid diet list. You can also add these to soups or use them as a base for other dishes.
Protein shakes
All of the above are fine to have on a liquid diet, but they are unlikely to be able to provide you with the amount of protein that your body needs. Make sure you add protein shakes to your bariatric pre op liquid diet to stay strong before your surgery.
Remember, though: Many people find that whey protein causes them gastrointestinal distress, so it should absolutely be avoided when on a pre-bariatric surgery diet.
You should also stay away from fruit juices, as they contain sugars which you should be avoiding before your surgery. If you are going for bariatric surgery, your liver is likely to already be enlarged, and sugars can cause your liver to be enlarged even further.
Now you have an idea of what you should and shouldn’t eat pre-surgery, but how do you survive the liquid diet before bariatric surgery!? Let’s take a look at some simple tips to ease you through the process.
5 tips for how to survive the liquid diet before bariatric surgery
Here are our top tips for sailing through the pre-bariatric surgery diet:
1. Develop a support system
It is vital to have a support system in place when following the bariatric liquid diet. This diet can be difficult to follow, and you may find yourself feeling isolated and alone. Having a support system will help you to stay on track and cope with any challenges that you may face.
Your support system can consist of family, friends, or even online forums. Whoever you choose, make sure that they are supportive and understanding. You should also make sure that they are familiar with the diet so that they can offer helpful advice and tips.
2. Control the side effects
The liquid pre-bariatric diet can cause a number of side effects, including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated. You may also want to take a stool softener or laxative to help with constipation. If you experience any other side effects, be sure to talk to your doctor or surgeon.
You need to make sure you are getting enough protein during your pre-bariatric surgery diet. Protein is essential for healing after surgery. You may need to supplement your diet with protein powder or shakes.
3. Prepare yourself mentally
When you are preparing for a liquid pre-bariatric surgery diet, it is important to get in the right mental state. This means that you need to be positive and motivated about the diet and your goals. You also need to be prepared for the hunger and cravings that you will experience.
It is important to have a plan in place to deal with these things so that you can stay on track. If you are not in the right mindset, it will be very difficult to stick to the diet and you may end up quitting before your surgery.
4. Keep calm and grounded
If you are a candidate for bariatric surgery, you may have used food for comfort. This means that when you are preparing for bariatric surgery, you have suddenly lost one of your main coping mechanisms.
Now is the time to find other, healthier ways to soothe yourself. Consider healthy activities like meditation and yoga, walking in the park, or even volunteering. These will all improve your state of mind when you make the leap to the liquid diet.
5. Get enough protein while on the pre-bariatric diet
Protein is an essential nutrient for our bodies, and it’s crucial to get enough protein while on a liquid pre-bariatric surgery diet.
One way to get protein is to drink bariatric surgery protein shakes. Protein shakes can be made with milk or water, and they usually contain around 15-20 grams of protein per serving. You can also find protein shakes that are specifically designed for people on liquid diets, which are sometimes even higher in protein.
If you’re not a fan of drinking shakes, you can also add protein powder for bariatric patients to other liquids, such as soups or juices. Just be sure to check the labels to make sure you’re getting a high-protein powder.
You should also consider alternatives to protein shakes after bariatric surgery that can provide you with the pros of protein shakes, but with additional benefits that can help support your bariatric surgery.
Liquid protein shots containing collagen can provide you with all the protein that your body needs while on the pre-bariatric surgery diet, but they also help you heal your stomach, which is exactly what you need in your bariatric journey!
