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Patient Information Guide
Pre-Operative Nutrition Program
Introduction
The success of bariatric surgery requires the absolute adherence to the nutritional guidelines that your doctor or dietitian will recommend, these rules gradually help you achieve the objective, that is toc hange your life. The caloric requirements of the patient will depend on the stage at which they are and their energy balance during the day, even so the patient must focus primarily on foods high in protein.
It is important to meet daily nutritional, especially protein needs of the patient, which must be selected in the most adequate form, in order to prevent serious nutritional deficiencies often mistakenly attributed to deficiencies of other nutrients.
Ultimately, the change of lifestyle is to be incorporated into your treatment, thus preventing the new weight gain and the implications that this entails.
The main purpose of the Preoperative Nutritional Guideline is the reduction of fatty liver as well as abdominal fat, in order to possibly decrease surgical operating time and promote a healthier weight loss. The diet will be composed of low glycemic index complex carbohydrates, low on fats, and high on protein. Protein is the most important nutrient for the bariatric patient, any kind of impairment (negligent, medical issue, selfpurpose) to achieve the adequate intake of protein will cause malnutrition and will increase the risk of disease. Committing to bariatric surgery requires that you prepare ahead of time by eating a healthy diet and ensuring adequate levels of physical activity. Pre-surgery diet changes are needed to help you lose a percentage of your excess body w eight prior to surgery and to have better eating habits to help you lose weight after surgery and help you keep the weight off after surgery. Following the nutritional recommendations may help you demonstrate that you are able to make a commitment to the changes you will need to continue to follow lifelong.
Suggested Protein Foods
- Tuna (light, water packed)
- Salmon
- Cheese, low fat
- Cottage cheese
- Egg whites
- Chicken– more moist options
- Cooked Rotisserie Chicken
- Scallops
- Shrimp– fresh or frozen
- Fish fillets– fresh or frozen
- Tofu
- Deli sliced meat
- Yogurt (GREEK ONLY)
- Nuts (Peanuts, cashew, almonds)
Physical Activity
Despite recognition that Physical activity promotion is an important component of a comprehensive surgical weight loss program, there are currently no evidence-based preoperative or post-operative PA guidelines. However, several organizations have issued recommendations recently.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recommends mild exercise (including aerobic conditioning and light resistance training) 20 min a day 3 to 4 days a week before surgery to improve cardiorespiratory fit ness, reduce risk of surgical complications, facilitate healing, and enhance post-operative recovery. The American Heart Association recommends a similar ‘‘mild’’ preoperative exercise regimen of low-to moderate-intensity PA at least 20 min a day 3 to 4 days a week.
The 2007 Expert Panel on Weight Loss Surgery recommends that patient s be encouraged to increase preoperative to post-operative PA, in particular, low-to moderate-intensity exercise. In addition, evidence points to a dose-response relationship between PA and both weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance such that higher levels of PA translate to greater benefits.
Begin Slowly
- It is important to begin your activity regimen at a slow pace. Start with light activity and work your way up.
- Begin your exercise with walking or water aerobics. Low impact activity is still beneficial. When your body is ready, increase the amount of time spent exercising or advance t o a higher impact activity.
Stay Healthy
- Always check with your doctor before starting a vigorous exercise program.
- Be aware of how your body feels. If something doesn’t feel right, slow down or stop.
- Choose well-respected facilities. When working with personal trainers or other staff, check to make sure they have the proper credentials.
- Always use the proper exercise equipment and gear to help prevent injury.
Keep yourself hydrated
- It is important to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise. You will need to hydrate yourself to replenish the fluids you have lost through sweat.
- Stay hydrated, don’t wait until you are thirsty. By the time you are thirsty, you’re most likely already dehydrated.
- Avoid carbonated beverages and fruit drinks. These take longer to absorb and can cause cramping, nausea and/or diarrhea.
- Cool or chilled fluids may work best. Cooler liquids help to lower and normalize the body’s elevated core temperature.
Protein
- Make sure you are consistently maintaining your recommended protein requirements. The protein will help you build muscle as well as keep your energy at a high level. If you do not get your protein, you will feel tired and sluggish.
Pre-Operative Preparation
Preparation for bariatric surgery includes several steps to optimize a patient’s health in anticipation of an operation.
- Stop all carbonated beverages
- Stop all beverages which caffeine
- Begin a routine exercise program approved by your physician.
- Start the diet as guided
- Practice Chewing
- Stop smoking
- Drink at least 2 liters of water a day
- Begin the practice of not drinking with your meals.
- Stop drinking 30 minutes before you eat and do not drink again until 30 minutes after you eat. This will be a requirement following your surgery and needs to become a lifetime habit.
- Drink Protein supplements at least 40 grams a day.
MEDICATIONS
- If you’re taking medications, you must provide the complete list, so our physician can authorize which ones you can take during the week prior to surgery and which ones will need to stop.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Avoid fried foods
- Drink at least 67 oz of water daily
- Substitute coffee for green tea. You must drink 1 cup per day.
- Eat dinner 1-2 hours before going to bed
- Do not allow yourself to be hungry. You must eat within a time frame of no more than 4 hours between each meal (ex: breakfast, lunch, mid-day snack, dinner, night snack).
- Eliminate all carbonated and soda beverages
- Eliminate cigarettes and cigars
- Remember to eat moist chicken parts
- Avoid simple carbohydrates. Foods with simple carbs include white bread, potatoes, white rice, corn, peas and anything that is obviously full of sugar like candy, ice cream or donuts.
- Eat good carbs in small portions (along with your high amounts of protein), including vegetables, apples and the “brown foods” like whole-grain bread and brown rice. In addition to being good for your blood sugar level, they are often high in fiber, which makes you full faster and helps to regulate your bowel movements.
- Must drink FLUIDS (preferably, low calorie ones such as unsweetened, caffeine-free herbal tea) but not just water.
- Day prior surgery patient can only intake liquids (clear protein, such as isopure, Jell-O, sugar free popsicles, broth).
- Start fasting at 8pm.
HOW YOU PREPARE YOUR FOOD IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU BUY:
- When cooking, bake, grill, poach or broil…don’t fry.
- When cooking, bake, grill, poach or broil…don’t fry.
- When cooking, bake, grill, poach or broil…don’t fry.
- Replace oil in recipes with applesauce or yogurt.
- Add spices or lemon juice to add flavor instead of olive oil or butter.
SUGGESTED WEEKLY MEAL PLAN:
- In order to help you easily follow our suggested nutritional recommendations, please call or email us to get our comprehensive 7-Day Meal Plan.
