What is the diet before gastric sleeve surgery?

Clinic Hunter

What is the diet before gastric sleeve surgery?

Generally, each patient must follow a strict pre-op diet for at least 2 weeks before the surgery. The main purpose of the diet is to decrease the size of the liver. In order to get to the stomach, a surgeon has to retract the liver so that it is not damaged. When the liver is too big and too fatty (and as results disenable getting to the stomach), the surgeon has a right to refuse performing the gastric sleeve surgery. The good news is that the liver is a flexible organ that may shrink quite fast.

The specific diet plan is always made by a dietician individually to each patient, however, it always follows the rules to:

• increase consumption of proteins (lean meats)
• lower consumption of carbohydrates (including bread, pasta, rice, cereals, etc.)
• eliminate sugars
• eat 5 small meals during a day (avoid eating only in the morning or evening)
• drink at least 1,5 liters of water a day (throughout a day by small sips)
• the main diet components are lean meat, vegetables, protein shakes, and water.
• avoid drinking caffeine and carbonated beverages.

Usually, patients are asked to follow a clear liquid diet for 2 days just before the surgery – this diet may contain broth, water, protein shakes, sugar-free popsicles, or sugar-free Jell-O.