Pre-Op Guidelines

Start with the Bariatric Healthy Eating Plan

Begin this eating plan within 5 days of meeting with our dietitian. You will remain on this eating plan until you begin the liquid diet 2 weeks prior to your surgery.

Breakfast (6-8am)
Drink 1 protein shake using the following recipe:

• 1 scoop sugar free protein powder
• 1 to 1.5 cups skim milk or light soy milk
• 1/2 cup berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries) or you may use peaches or 1/2 banana
• 1 tsp flax oil or you may eat 1/4 cup walnuts or almonds

Begin taking a chewable or liquid multivitamin.

*PROTEIN POWDER GUIDELINES

• Choose a whey or soy protein powder
• 20 grams protein per serving
• Must be less than 15 grams sugar per serving
• Whey isolate, whey concentrate or soy protein powder
• A protein "blend" is also acceptable

Powders that fit into these guidelines:

1. Matrix (Syntrax)
2. Nectar (Syntrax)
3. Natural Isopure (Nature's Best)
4. Chike (Chike Nutrition)
5. Body Fortress (Walmart)
6. Whey Gourmet
7. Procel Protein Powder by Global Health (tasteless powder)

Sugar-Free Syrups to try:

1. Da Vinci
2. Artista

Lunch (noon)

• 3-4 ounces of lean meat
• 1 serving of vegetables
• 1 serving complex carbohydrates

Dinner (6pm)

• 3-4 ounces of lean meat
• 1 serving of vegetables
• 1 serving complex carbohydrates

LUNCH AND DINNER MEAL GUIDELINES

Lean Meat=turkey, fish, chicken, lean beef such as sirloin, round tip, chuck, shoulder, eye of the round or 90% lean ground beef.

• Remove skin on poultry
• Excess fat should be trimmed
• Grill, bake, broil, steam, stir-fry, sauteed, pressure cooked, or broiled.
• Do NOT deep fry or pan fry.

Vegetable=a salad or vegetable side, such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, dark leafy greens, kale, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, squash, onions, zucchini, cauliflower, radishes, snap peas, mushrooms.

• Vegetables should be raw, steamed, or lightly cooked (with little or no fats) Vegetables need to be fresh or frozen and not canned.
• Salad dressings should be low calorie and low fat. Avoid creamy dressings. Opt for vinaigrettes.
• Avoid corn, white potatoes.

Complex Carbohydrate=

• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta
• 6 whole wheat crackers
• 1 slice whole wheat bread
• 1/2 cup beans (white, kidney, pinto, black, lentils, garbanzo) - use very little oil in cooking.

Fats:

• Use olive or canola oil when cooking meats or vegetables.
• Use fats sparingly!!
• Butter, lard, vegetable, and high fat salad dressings will add calories with no nutrient value!

FLUID NEEDS:

Drink 64-80 ounces of sugar-free fluids/day

You may drink:

• Sugar-free drink mixes (crystal light, etc)
• Flavored, sugar-free water (eg. propel)
• Sugar-free, decaf tea or coffee
• Light juice (or 100% juice diluted with water)
• Vegetable juice
• Half of your fluid intake per day should be water

The next step is to start the liquid diet two weeks prior to surgery. Click here to view the liquid diet plan.