About three (3) weeks prior to gastric sleeve surgery, most doctors recommend their patients for pre-operative diets.
The essence of this is to acquaint them with the necessary clues of what their new lifestyle will look like. From another perspective, it provides the opportunity to improve the chances of patients. This is possible because they would be in a better position to pass through the knife than when they had not followed the guideline.
On the other hand, the procedure is one of the safest. That suggests the reason why many people prefer it over other weight loss surgical operations. In addition, it is effective and has a long-term restriction on weight gain. However, this is dependent on the patients’ zeal to shed off the extra kilos of flesh.
Why Gastric Sleeve?
There are tons of bariatric surgeries out there, and it is but surprising why gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most preferred. The reason is not far-fetched from the fact that it is safer. There are reports that it has a 1% complication rate. The fact that patients are after their safety when undergoing weight loss surgery makes the opportunity presented by gastric sleeve a welcomed one.
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Second, the procedure is fast and can be done in a matter of hours. Since obese individuals are looking for a solution that is faster, gastric sleeve helps in making their dreams come true. Third, the surgery is effective and has the capability to sustain a dramatic weight loss for long periods.
However, these milestones cannot be achieved if the necessary measures are not put n place. Diet plays a crucial role in the attainment of long-term weight loss goals. That is why patients are delegated to pass through the pre-operative diet before the actual surgery. It is worth noting that this is a prelude to the post-op diet. Recoding success at this stage is an indication that the post-operative diet will also be a success. At this point, it is pertinent to find out the essence of the pre-op diet.
Benefits of Pre-Operative Diet
1. Reduces the Risk of Complications
In spite of popular opinion, risks are an integral part of weight loss surgeries. That is the same with the gastric sleeve surgery. The first role of the pre-op diet is to reduce the chances of risks during and after the surgery. This is possible because the purpose is to reduce abdominal fat and shrink the liver. In extension, the approach cuts down the risks of complications during the procedure. That is the more reason why patients have to commit to the diet, as their safety is at risk.
From another perspective, excess weight triggers obesity and if not curtailed, might have drastic effects on the body during and after gastric sleeve surgery. Keeping to healthy meal intake at this point helps in reducing the Body Mass Index (BMI). In extension, the reduction of the BMI cuts down on the weight, eases the surgical process and reduces the adverse effects of the surgery
2. Better Visibility for the Surgeon
It is a popular notion that obese individuals are at the risk of contracting deadly obesity-related diseases. For patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 and above, they are at the risk of getting “fatty liver”. In this stead, the pre-op diet is a tool to shrink the liver to normal size. This also paves the way for the surgeon to have a clearer view of the operation site and perform the surgery accordingly.
3. Keeping off Weight Regain
There are times when patients regain the weight they lost. With the help of the pre-operative diet, they are able to adapt to the guidelines and will take advantage of this to prepare better for the post-op diet.
Pre-Operative Diet – Who is it for?
It is important to note that despite the fact that taking a healthy diet before gastric sleeve surgery helps in facilitating the success of the surgery, it is not for every patient. Specifically, it is strictly for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 and above. It further stipulates that obese individuals with a BMI below 35 can proceed with the surgery without taking to the diet. However, we make an exception to that. We at Weight Loss Riga place our gastric sleeve BMI requirement at 30 and above. This implies that patients that chose to have the procedure in our clinic have the opportunity to take the diet.
Preparing for Pre-Operative Diet
Now that you are aware of the positive tidings that await you on consumption of the diet, it is time to prepare for the task ahead. It can be a bumpy road. So, we have put together seventeen (17) tips that will aid you through the process.
1. Take Multivitamins
There is every tendency that the body lacks some nutrients, especially, at the time of preparation for gastric sleeve surgery. Intake of multivitamins on the doctor’s prescription, help you to recall nutrients that are either insufficient or lacking in the body. This is also important to address the changes that come with a change of diet and will continue even after the surgery.
2. Commence Exercise Programs
There is no gainsaying the fact that exercises play an important role in the restoration of the body before and after bariatric surgery. The same is the case in the pre-op diet. As you set about the task of healthy food consumption, also consider engaging in some physical activity as a ploy to burn calories.
3. Limit Snacks
Have in mind that snacks or “junk foods” are a leading cause of obesity. It is pertinent to give them up as you prepare for the pre-operative diet. If you must take one, limit it to low-calorie snacks per day.
4. Use a Diet Journal
You can skip any of the daily diets if relevant checks are not in place. Be your own detective by making use of a diet journal to record the milestone you achieve. It is twice likely for a patient with a diet journal to scale through the pre-op diet than another that doesn’t.
5. Maintain a Healthy Sleep Pattern
There is no gainsaying the fact that adequate sleep is important for the overall sustenance of the weight loss goals. Depriving yourself of sleep will not be in the best interest of your anticipated weight loss. A restless body might not have the motivation to continue with expected activities that will reduce weight. Hence, catch enough sleep as you can within the day.
6. Join a Support Group
It is pertinent to address the notion that support groups are for patients that successfully underwent weight loss surgery. As a gastric sleeve patient, you can join a related support group and get insights that will maximize your use of the pre-op diet. This is an information hub of sorts, and you will get access to the experiences of others who wore the same shoes as you some time ago. Weight Loss Riga's Patient Community on Facebook is a great place to meet and engage with former and current patients!
7. Cut Food into Smaller Quantities
You wouldn’t want to choke on your meal or have it go down the wrong way. Do not wait until after the surgery before cutting food into smaller portions. Besides, the overall essence of the pre-operative diet is to acquaint you with the relevant steps to take after the procedure.
8. Drink Enough Water
Liquids are an important component of the meals of a bariatric patient. The gastric sleeve patient is not an exception and water intake should be more during the pre-op diet stage. While drinking, make sure you follow the traditional rules – do not drink while eating and before meals. In addition, make sure you consume about 8 glasses of water each day.
9. Eat more Proteins
This is the most preferred food for bariatric patients. Notwithstanding the fact that you are yet to pass through the knife, it is one of the tips that will help in the actualization of the pre-op diet expectations. It helps in faster digestion and regulation of the body system.
10. Eat Fewer Carbohydrates
It is not out of place for patients to crave for sugary food. However, it is pertinent to have control of your appetite. Carbohydrates should be avoided at all costs. If you cannot resist the craving, take it in little quantities and at intervals.
11. Reduce Calorie Intake
Recall that the essence of the diet is to shed off some kilos of flesh before undergoing the gastric sleeve surgery. Hence, avoidance of calories is a task that must be accomplished. In addition, stay away from foods that are high in calories as much intake at this point might be a clog in the wheels of anticipated weight loss.
12. Take Clear/Low-Calorie Liquids
Water is not the only liquid to consume at this point. Take a step away from alcohol and coffee and settle for drinks that are low in calories. An example of a supported clear liquid is the non-sugary water flavor enhancer.
13. Avoid Foods that are high in Sugar
This is similar to the guideline on the avoidance of carbohydrates. If possible, avoid any food that has some visible amount of sugar content. You do not only stand the chance of triggering diabetes but also create a loophole for a loss of weight ahead of gastric sleeve surgery.
14. Avoid Fatty Foods
Foods that are high in fats do not hold a positive approach to the sustenance of weight loss when on a pre-operative diet. Red meat and some other foods that can cause you to gain weight should be avoided. The negative aspect of this is that you are at the risk of adding some flesh instead of shedding off the extra kilos you already have. They can also affect the mode of digestion in a negative way.
15. Do not Cheat Meals
Patients might get the inclination to have a “last fling” with a complete meal plan before undergoing the surgery. This is a risk that can negate the outcome of the procedure. It becomes worse when the patient had kept up with the pre-op diet, only to usurp it at the last minute. To this end, stick to the diet guidelines and avoid cheating or taking full meals before the scheduled time for the surgery.
16. Do not take Soda
The same way you stay clear of alcohol and smoking it is expected of you to extend the same restriction to soda intake. Avoid taking it throughout the period of the diet. If thirsty, gulp down many glasses of water as you want or take low-calorie liquids.
17. Eat Healthy Foods
Above all, commit yourself to the intake of healthy meals. Though fats can feature in the diet, look out for foods that are low on fat. It is important to stick strictly to mono-saturated fat such as green olives and avocado. Polyunsaturated fat such as walnuts and fish are also important. However, consume in small quantities, saturated fats such as butter and vegetable oil.
Pre-Op Diet – A Step Closer to your goals
The diet is a medium to get closer to your weight loss goals. The benefits are much. First, it helps you to master the rudiments of the post-operative surgery. Second, it helps in keeping off weight regain. Most importantly, patients will stand the chance of shedding off fatty liver, which had hitherto, obstructed a greater part of the stomach. Being out of the danger is the watchword and sticking to the guidelines is the process.
Eat for the Long-Term
Despite the fact that it suggests a diet plan before gastric sleeve surgery, the pre-operative diet has lots of long-term benefits. For the patient, it opens the door of opportunities to explore the impressive lifestyle that awaits him after the surgery. In addition, it reduces the risks of complications, and to a greater extent, charts the course for an effective restriction of much diet intake after the procedure.
In the midst of these, Weight Loss Riga is committed to making the process a walk-over for you. With our ebullient team of bariatric professionals, we are certain that your gastric sleeve surgery at our clinic will be a great experience and we hope you will be thankful for the lifelong impact it will make in your life and that of your loved ones.
