Bariatric surgery causes a drastic change in dieting habits.
Deciding to have lap-band surgery is a major decision. There are a number of lifestyle changes that will need to be made, but the major change will be to your diet. Two weeks before surgery, your bariatric surgeon will put you on a strict liquid diet. Pre-dieting gets a patient used to making food changes and choices, as well as lose weight and shrink the liver. Typical caloric intake should be between 800 to 1,200 calories a day.
Carbonated Beverages
Before surgery, the surgeon will recommend that you stop drinking all carbonated beverages. Carbonated beverages are no longer allowed after surgery. Drinking carbon beverages causes gas to build up in the stomach, thus causing pain and nausea. Eliminating carbonated beverages before surgery will help a patient transition easier. Replace carbonated beverages with water.
Liquid diet
One to two weeks before surgery, your bariatric surgeon will put you on a strict liquid diet. Your liquid diet will include drinking such meal replacements as Slim-Fast or sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast. Drink 3 to 4 glasses of the shake a day. You can alternate shakes with chicken broth or beef broth. It is also important to drink 64 ounces of water or sugar-free liquids. Drinking plenty of water and sugar-free liquids will help prevent dehydration. Avoid all alcohol consumption. Alcohol is high in calories and causes the liver to swell. You want the fat in your body and your liver to shrink. This will allow the surgeon to see clearly where to place the lap-band around the stomach.
Sugars and High Carbohydrates
Sugars and high carbohydrates are not tolerated after surgery. They can cause nausea and easily become trapped in the small opening leading to the stomach. Eliminating these foods before surgery will help you transition after surgery. Also, sugars and high-carbohydrate food are high in calories and often high in fat, making weight loss difficult.
Protein
Use liquid protein supplements during the liquid diet. Myocel is a protein powder that can be mixed with water, sugar-free juices and 2 percent milk. Protein will help lower fat within the liver, aid in weight loss and help lessen recovery time after surgery. Your bariatric surgeon will suggest the amount of protein supplements you will need a day.
Try Not To Cheat
Try not to cheat while on your pre-op diet. You may want to celebrate and have those last big meals before your surgery date. Refrain from doing so; you do not want to gain any more weight before surgery. Gaining too much weight before surgery may cause your bariatric surgeon to postpone your lap-band procedure.
