Pre-Bariatric Surgery Diet

We have created a helpful guide for you on how to prepare pre-bariatric surgery diet . While bariatric surgery offers a permanent and healthy solution for weight loss, the diet applied in the preoperative period is of great importance. Pre-bariatric diet helps to reduce the risks of the operation, accelerate the healing process and increase the patient’s postoperative success rate. So, what should be done during the preoperative diet process? Here is what you need to know.

Why is Preoperative Diet Important?

Losing weight under the control of a dietician in the preoperative period both reduces surgical risks and facilitates surgery by preventing fatty liver. Controlling your excess weight during this process will make it easier to adapt to lifestyle changes after surgery.

Sava Clinic dieticians emphasise the following in this regard:

“The better your weight loss before surgery, the better your chances of success after surgery. You should start changing your behaviour as soon as you decide to have surgery. While the contribution of surgeons is 10%, 90% of the success rate depends on the behavioural change of the patients.”

How Much Weight Can You Lose on a Pre-Op Bariatric Diet?

During the pre-operative diet process, the weight loss target is determined individually. It is generally recommended that patients lose 5-10 per cent of their body weight. Depending on your weight, this rate may vary as follows:

In extremely obese individuals, 10% of total body weight is targeted.

In individuals with mild obesity, a weight loss of 5-10 kilograms is sufficient.

In this process, a low-calorie, high-protein and nutrient-rich diet is applied. The goal is to accelerate fat loss while providing the energy the body needs. This weight loss allows the surgeon to perform the operation more easily and safely, especially by reducing fatty liver.

Example:

For a person weighing 120 kilograms, the 10% weight loss target is approximately 12 kilograms.

How Many Days of Liquid Diet Before Bariatric Surgery?

Before bariatric surgery, your doctor or dietitian may ask you to follow a liquid diet for 2 weeks. However, this period may vary depending on the health status and weight of the person. The liquid diet facilitates the operation by shrinking the stomach and liver before surgery.

Foods and Drinks that can be consumed in Liquid Diet:

Sugar-free protein drinks

Low-calorie soups (without grains)

Milk and dairy products (skimmed)

Water, unsweetened herbal teas

Vegetable juices

What Should You Pay Attention To During The Liquid Diet Process?

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Prevent muscle loss by increasing protein intake.

3. Prefer sugar-free liquid foods.

4. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

5. Remember to drink slowly and do not strain your stomach.

Behavioural Changes in the Preoperative Diet Process

In order to be successful after bariatric surgery, it is very important to gain healthy habits in the preoperative period. Here are the things you should do in this period:

Do portion control: Make postoperative adaptation easier by minimising your eating habits.

Eat slowly and chew thoroughly: Increase your feeling of satiety by preventing fast eating.

Limit sugar and fat consumption: Avoid refined sugar and excess fat.

Start exercising: Mobilise your body with light walks and low-intensity exercises.

A Sample Daily Menu for a Pre-Bariatric Diet

Morning Breakfast

Skimmed milk (200 ml)

Sugar-free protein drink

Snack

1 small bowl of strained yoghurt

Lunch

Vegetable soup without grains

1 glass of sugar-free vegetable juice

Dinner

Low-calorie chicken broth soup

Skimmed milk (200 ml)

At night:

1 glass of water or herbal tea

Conclusion

Pre-bariatric surgery diet is a vital step to facilitate the surgery process and ensure long-term success. Achieving your weight loss goals and gaining healthy habits is your main goal in this process. As Sava Clinic, we are with you every step of the way before and after the surgery by preparing a special diet plan for you with our expert dieticians.

Contact us to prepare for bariatric surgery and create the most suitable diet programme for you!