What can I eat on my pre-op diet for gastric sleeve?
Two or three days before surgery you'll need to switch to an all-liquid diet. Restrict your food intake to water, broth, gelatins, and low-calorie sports drinks (no sodas). You'll need to cut out consumption entirely starting at midnight on the day of your surgery – even water.
If you do break from the pre-operative diet plan, your liver will not shrink enough to make surgery safe and simple. Your bariatric surgeon would know within minutes if you cheated. During surgery, the laparoscopic camera can pick up food you may have eaten. The food could be in your stomach or intestinal tract.
- Increase your protein consumption. Eat lean meats.
- Lower your carbohydrate consumption. Avoid breads, pasta, cereals, rice, etc.
- Eliminate Sugars. Eliminate candy, desserts, juices, sodas.
- A variety of clear broths (chicken, beef, vegetable).
- Zero calorie sports drinks. Look for beverages with 10 or fewer calories per 8 oz.
- Sugar-free fruit drinks. Look for beverages with 10 or fewer calories per 8 oz.
- Sugar-free popsicles and gelatins.
Any Meats, Poultry, Seafood, and Eggs You can eat these foods liberally (but do not gorge yourself). The only exception is that you should keep organ meats and lunch meats to a minimum as they have an increased amount of carbs.
The best meals before surgery will include a balance of lean protein, unprocessed carbohydrates, vegetables, and healthy (mainly plant-based) fats. Lean protein sources could include eggs, chicken, and fish. You can add a range of healthy carbohydrates like bananas, buckwheat, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and more.
Answer: Struggling with pre-op diet
Check the protein shakes you are using, some are very high in carbs, which stores as fat, so you want to avoid those, also avoid artificial sweeteners! Find a shake that are clean without stimulants, artificial sweeteners, or sugar. It makes a huge difference.
Your Bariatric surgeon may need to make an extra incision in order to lift liver and have better access to your stomach, if you do not follow the preop diet. This may lead to additional surgery time and a longer recovery.
The Bariatric Pre-Op Liquid Diet Meal Plan
The pre-op liquid diet will consist of approved protein shakes, sugar-free beverages, sugar-free gelatin, sugar-free popsicles, and broth. We always recommend that our patients consume five protein shakes a day and consume at least 64 ounces of sugar-free liquids.
Include protein-rich foods with each meal. Some healthy choices are lean meat, fish, poultry, beans, eggs, cheese, nuts, tofu, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, and protein drinks. Drink at least 6 to 8 eight-ounce cups of fluid each day to stay well hydrated.
What is the best broth for gastric sleeve?
Bone broth comes highly recommended by many patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. It is agreed that homemade bone broth is the best because it does not contain preservatives that could upset the delicate stomach following surgery and it has a higher nutrition value.
It is a low-carbohydrate diet that reduces glycogen (energy stored in the liver), water and fat in the liver. The diet consists of proteins such as beef, pork, eggs, seafood or chicken, and non-starchy carbohydrates including foods like broccoli, cauliflower, leafy green vegetables.

At least three protein shakes per day (200 calories or less each; protein should be higher than carbohydrates; if using protein powder, mix with water, soy milk, or skim milk):
The best way to sleep after gastric sleeve surgery is on your back or side. This will help keep the stomach and lungs clear of pressure, which can cause discomfort. If you are a side sleeper, it is best to use a pillow between your legs to keep your spine aligned.
Vegetable, chicken or beef broth (should be low-fat or fat-free).
2. Clear Liquids Diet: Typically, 48 hours prior to surgery. Consists of only clear liquids such as water, broth, and fruit juice. No food of any kind is allowed during this stage.
Typically, most patients will lose around 10 to 15 pounds while on the pre-op diet. It helps to jump-start your future diet and lifestyle as you get used to eating more low carbohydrates, fat, and calories and high in protein, vitamins, and nutrients.
More Pre-op Diet Instructions
You will have 1000 calories per day and at least 50 grams of protein. No more than 35 grams of fat daily. Most of the calories, protein and fat in your diet will come from the shakes. soda, diet ice tea, crystal light, diet lemonade, diet Snapple and the like are unlimited.
Things To Follow Two to Three Days Before Surgery
Maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet by eating a variety of foods, including lean meats like chicken and fish, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, fish oils, and all herbal supplements should all be STOPPED 1 week pre-surgery (including your multivitamin).
- Green tea, cayenne, ginkgo, garlic, ginger, flaxseed, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant may have a negative effect on anesthesia or bleeding time.
What foods should you avoid the night before surgery?
Within 24 hours of any surgical procedure that involves anesthesia, you should avoid high-fiber foods of all types, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. During the two weeks leading up to surgery, you should avoid eating fish or taking fish oil or omega-3 supplements.
Typically, you only have to remain on the diet for 7 to 14 days before your surgery. The liver shrinking diet is unlike any diet you might have tried before.
First of all, patients who are overweight are more likely to experience complications during surgery. Second, excess weight makes it more difficult for surgeons to access the stomach and intestines.
On average people can expect to lose around two to four pounds a week, or eight to 16 pounds a month, for the first six to 12 months following their gastric sleeve surgery. Weight loss generally slows down at that point, until the patient achieves a stable weight.
Why cheating on your pre-op diet is a bad idea: Your surgeon will know within minutes if you cheated because they will be able to see food in your stomach and/or intestinal tract (this can lead to infections) Your liver won't shrink enough to have surgery and will make it more difficult for the surgeon.
All patients will be placed on this two-week diet immediately before their surgical procedure. The purpose of the liquid diet is to shrink the liver and allow patient to lose some excess body fat. Doing so improves laparoscopic access to the abdomen and makes the procedure generally safer.
“Do not cheat on your gastric sleeve post-op diet, it is counterproductive.” We do not recommend cheating on your post-operative diet, especially in the first several months after your surgery.
Adding More Calories
Nonfat dry milk added to your drinks. Protein powders or liquid or powdered egg whites added to drinks. Instant breakfast powder added to milk, puddings, custards, and milkshakes. Strained meats (like the ones in baby food) added to broths.
- Yogurt.
- Pudding.
- Jello.
- Applesauce (liquid added and osterized for stricter regimens)
- Cream soups (blended in osterizer if chunks are to be avoided)
- Tomato soup.
- Ice Cream (microwave on high 20 seconds to soften)
- Sherbet.
NO dairy products such as milk, creamer, and non-dairy creamer, ice cream, whipped cream, half & half, etc. NO cloudy liquids such as orange juice, tomato juice or soup, potato soup, and vegetable or meat soup.
Are protein shakes OK before surgery?
Eat a high-protein diet.
Examples include meats (such as beef, poultry, and pork), fish, whole eggs, dairy (such as Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and pudding), tofu, quinoa, and beans. Drink an over-the-counter protein shake 2-3 times a day in the weeks before your surgery.
Boston, MA — Limiting certain essential nutrients for several days before surgery—either protein or amino acids—may reduce the risk of serious surgical complications such as heart attack or stroke, according to a new Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) study.
The pre-op diet largely consists of protein shakes and other high-protein, low-calorie foods that are easy to digest. Protein helps bolster and protect muscle tissue. This can help your body burn fat instead of muscle for fuel. Protein also helps keep your body strong, which can speed up recovery.
More Pre-op Diet Instructions
You will have 1000 calories per day and at least 50 grams of protein. No more than 35 grams of fat daily. Most of the calories, protein and fat in your diet will come from the shakes. soda, diet ice tea, crystal light, diet lemonade, diet Snapple and the like are unlimited.
Based on your weight and overall health, your doctor may allow you to eat some solids during this time. These might include fish, watered-down hot cereal, or soft-boiled eggs. Before the surgery, make sure you ask the anesthesiologist for instructions about what you can or can't have before the surgery.
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The Day Before Weight Loss Surgery
- Iced Tea.
- Broth or Bouillon.
- Sugar-free drinks.
- Soups (strained—no solids)
- Gelatin (no added fruit)
Sugar free liquids like broth, popsicles and jello, decaf tea or coffee are all valid choices from day 3 to 7 after surgery. Protein shakes are not allowed during this first week, but vitamin intake is very important. Your doctor will prescribe specific vitamins for each period of your gastric sleeve diet.
At least three protein shakes per day (200 calories or less each; protein should be higher than carbohydrates; if using protein powder, mix with water, soy milk, or skim milk):
Typically, you only have to remain on the diet for 7 to 14 days before your surgery. The liver shrinking diet is unlike any diet you might have tried before.