Here’s What to Expect from a Liquid Diet in the Weeks Before Bariatric Surgery
So you’ve made the appointment for your bariatric surgery and are excited to embrace new lifestyle changes in your weight loss journey. Although WeightWise won’t prescribe an all-liquid diet prior to surgery, there are occasions when it is necessary. Such as if the patient isn’t at their “goal” weight before the procedure.
In the weeks before surgery, your surgeon will assign a liquid diet leading up to the date. Adhering to a liquid diet before bariatric surgery is critically important to the operation’s success and your health moving forward. Here’s what you can expect from an all-liquid diet before weight loss surgery.
Why is a Liquid Diet Before Bariatric Surgery Important?
One of the most important reasons for strictly following a liquid diet is simply because it is easier and safer to perform bariatric surgery on patients with fewer barriers to the stomach. Many obese patients have a “fatty liver,” meaning the liver has expanded in size as they gained excessive weight.
Because the liver sits atop the stomach, surgeons may not be able to access the stomach and cancel surgery in these situations. A liquid diet in the weeks before bariatric surgery is known to decrease the size of fatty livers, helping it to be a successful surgery.
Furthermore, the liquid diet that your surgeon or dietitian assigns to you will include many protein shakes. During periods of rapid weight loss, healthy muscle mass breaks down as well. Following your liquid diet will ensure that you are consuming at least 60 grams of protein a day.
Example of a Pre-Op Bariatric Liquid Diet
Your bariatric surgeon will have a specific liquid diet for you to follow, but you can likely expect some version of this:
Clear Liquids: Broth, sugar-free drinks (no carbonation), flavored water, sugar-free JELL-O, sugar-free popsicles, decaf tea, and decaf coffee.
Full Liquids: Protein shakes.
Post-Op Bariatric Diet
Your diet after surgery is essentially a continuation of the diet before surgery. You’ll be limited to an all-liquid diet for the first two weeks, followed by two more weeks of soft protein foods. In the months to come, solid foods will be introduced and you’ll be well on your way to healthier eating.
Hydration is important every step of the way. At the start, you’ll be required to drink 96 ounces of water every day. That may seem like a lot, especially if you’re not used to drinking more than a glass or two. The key is to not gulp the water down, but rather take sips throughout the day.
After solid food is introduced, you’ll want to wait an hour after eating before drinking any more liquids. Remember, your stomach is up to 80 percent smaller than it was before, so you’ll need to give your stomach a chance to digest. There simply won’t be room in your stomach for anything else.
WeightWise provides effective surgical and non-surgical weight loss options to those who are looking to transform their health for the better. Our compassionate bariatric staff is committed to your long-term health and well-being, proudly offering years of weight loss expertise to address every part of your weight loss journey. Watch our FREE online seminar to learn more or contact us online today.
How would a Type 1 Diabetic keep their blood sugar in the healthy range with the liquid diet prior to surgery?
Hey Cynthia! We do not require patients to complete a liquid diet prior to surgery besides the day before. The operating physicians aid with keeping blood sugars elevated during that time.
What kind of liquid diet can I go by being a type 2 diabetic and on dyalisis
Hi, Rosalinda! Our patients complete a clear liquid diet the day before surgery. All of our patients are required to take a pre-op diet class, where the dietitian will discuss all that the clear liquid diet entails the day before surgery, among other topics such as, how the diet transitions after surgery. The operating physicians aid with keeping blood sugars elevated during that time. The first step to the program is to watch the free online seminar. Then someone will contact you to set you up with an appointment to see the surgeon whom will discuss the pros and cons of each surgery, review your health history, and discuss our process to operation. You can watch the seminar online at https://weightwise.com/seminars/#seminar-tabs. You can call our front desk as well, and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.
I am a type two diabetic and I am on a pre op liver shrinking diet and the surgeon has told me I have to be on it for six to eight weeks is this correct
Hey Juliana! At WeightWise we do not have patients complete a liver shrinking diet and instead have them lose a specific amount of weight prior to surgery. However, the clinic that you are referring to may have a different protocol.
Hi can I eat sugar free gummy bears prior to surgery
Hey Desiree! Sugar free gummy bears are okay in strict moderation. I typically recommend consuming no more than 3-4 a day due to the sugar alcohols. An increase consumption of sugar alcohols can cause GI upset.
I take Eliquis. Should I take it with the pre enema clear liquid diet?
Good Morning Ann. I would speak with your operating physician regarding this question. They may recommend something different than our facility.
Would like a meal plan for 2 weeks liquid diet
Good morning Liza. In regards to two week liquid diet prior to surgery, at WeightWise we recommend only consuming hydrating fluids (water, flavored water, sugar free jello/popsicle, broth, and sugar free electrolyte drinks) and protein shakes that contain less than 7 grams of carbs. I typically recommend 4-5 shakes a day.
Can I drink green tea watermelon favor I’m on the liquid diet before gastric bypass surgery
Good Morning Shemika! As long as it is decaf, yes you can have it while on the liquid diet prior to surgery.
I am looking for a liquid diet i can do to loose weight. I am concerning weight loose surgery but i want to try everything i can to loose weight before resorting to surgery. Can i do this pre-surgery liquid diet and loose weight without having the surgery ?
Good morning Sharon. I hope you are having a great day. I would discuss that with your primary physician :).
Why is it necessary to drink only decaf drinks on prep diet before bariatric surgery?
Hi, Linda!
I recommend you contact your operating physician or dietitian, they will be able to do a full evaluation and give you individualized recommendations, and different programs follow different guidelines. The risk of dehydration is increased after surgery so, it is important to only drink hydrating fluids. At WeightWise we recommend no caffeine until 4 weeks post-op, only if you are getting a full 96+oz of hydrating fluids per day. This helps decrease any chances of dehydration because caffeine is a diuretic, which can contribute to dehydration.
Hi my sleeve surgery is set for Valentine’s Day February 14th 2022. I’m still learning about food and I was alittle confused on the clear liquid and full liquid I have a lot of stuff I can look through but there’s already a good amount of information here so I was wondering if I could have my protein shake on the liquid pre op day I’m guessing that don’t not fall into clear liquid it’s a full liquid rt.
Hi, Jennett! I recommend you contact your operating surgeon or dietitian, as each program has different guidelines to follow for a pre- and post-op diet. At WeightWise, we recommend a clear liquid diet the day before surgery so, protein shakes do not fall into the clear liquid diet. Protein shakes fall into the liquid diet for after surgery. At WeightWise we also have a required pre- and post-op diet class that goes over the diet in more detailed information. You can call our front desk as well, and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.