Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Diet leading up to surgery vs after surgery.. Why the change?



Recommended Posts

So, i have been following a nutritionists diet.. I have been reading here that many things that my nut is having me eat i wont be able to eat afterwards. The brown rice, whole wheat bread etc (other items too). I dont care for those food items as it is.. I just dont get why they have u stress on eating these items and then after surgery its a no no. I know they want to make sure you follow a diet plan, but why so dramatic difference? Is it just because you need those items now but not after surgery?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't really have a pre-op diet until the last week when I was only able to have Protein shakes and low calorie drinks, and that diet was to help shrink my liver down to give the surgeon more room to work.

Post-op is when the diet plan became rather intense. They explained to me my new pouch took about a month to heal, so in the first few weeks I was on Soups and blenderized foods. After the 6th week I was able to eat "normal" foods again, but even then I'm seeing I have to make adjustments to what foods I choose to eat. Since the pouch is so small, I'll start with the Proteins first and then some vegetables; and I'll get full off of that and end up skipping any carbs (rice, bread, etc). Carbs fill you up pretty quickly, and Protein is the most important anyway.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is a little bit of a loaded questions. The reason your nutritionist is probably having you do things like brown rice is to begin weining your body off of the high carb, high fat foods you will not be able to eat after surgery. This is a lot of times better for most people than going cold turkey. I never realized how much a role carbs played in my daily eating until I started the two week pre-op diet my nutritionist put me on and I wasn't allowed any at all. I was craving potato so badly. The other thing is it will help you continue to reduce your weight prior to surgery and in turn reduce your risk of complication. I cannot say enough about following the program your nutritionist lays out for you, but to constantly be working with them. They know what they are doing and will not stear your wrong. If you are not a fan of some of the things she wants you to be eating, let them know and perhaps they can suggest some alternatives. All in all its just a process to reduce carbs slowly up until surgery.

After surgery you are typically on Clear liquids for about a week, then pureed foods, then soft mashed, and finally gradually adding in solid foods as you can handle them. Each of these stages is a week or two each depending on how your nutritionist sets up your program. This is done to help your stomach heal gradually and never to overwhelm it. For all intentes and purposes your stomach has been traumatized and needs time to recover. If you ever have any questions about recipes for any of these stages let me know. I worked as a chef for Walt Disney World for a time and loved the chance to find ways of getting my favorite foods and tastes while still following the dietary rquirements.

If anything here is unclear please let me know and I will do what I can to clarify. The primary reasoning for the differences is preparing your body for surgery in a gradual way and then slowly giving your stomach the time to heal and recover afterwards. This only a small part of an absolutely amazing journey. You wont regret it ever. Its the greatedst thing I have ever done for myself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is my understanding based on research and observation/logic.

Different goals and constraints influence dietary guidelines.

Before surgery: lose weight with a large stomach (need to fill it up with bulk--veggies, whole grains, etc in addition to protein). No problem staying hydrated and is a good time to ween off of caffeine, sugar, etc.

Immediately before surgery: shrink liver (low carb, high Protein but still need nutrition for surgery so Meal Replacement shakes). Still need a lot of Water.

Surgery: Clear Liquids (clear out digestive tract) and then nothing.

Post surgery: very small and traumatized body and digestive tract (need Water and Protein with very limited room and capacity to take it in.

Healing: see post surgery plus need to worry about texture to facilitate healing

Ongoing: smaller stomach (although larger than immediately post surgery) so limited room to get nutrition so focus on water, protein

Sorry for the short notes (I'm on my phone).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×