Preoperative Liquid Diet For Lap Band and Gastric Bypass Patients

Why is the liquid diet important?

The main reason is that your liver will shrink in size and this will lower the risks during your surgery and after the surgery your post-op will be more pleasant. This will lower the amount of time during your procedure and the amount of incisions done in your abdomen.

What happens if I don’t follow the preoperative liquid diet before surgery?

If the diet is not followed as instructed, you will have more risks during surgery, such risks include larger incisions, the possibility of leaving a feeding tube in your belly, having to convert your surgery to open surgery which will increase the costs of your surgery and even the risk of the surgery not being able to be performed.

What happens if I eat some type of solid food while I am doing the liquid diet?

It doesn’t really matter, if it is a little bit of solid or a lot, eating solids during the liquid diet will ruin it completely. You will have thrown away all the effort you had made so far.

Are protein shakes allowed?

Yes, protein shakes are a very important part of your liquid diet. Remember the amount of protein must be 60 – 70 grams a day.

How much liquids am I allowed to have during the day?

Drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of liquids every day, (3/4 of a gallon). HYDRATION is very IMPORTANT before surgery to diminish any form of embolism.

Why am I allowed full liquids at the beginning and only clear liquids after?

The last days before surgery we are trying to maximize the effect of being in a low calorie high protein diet. It is important to stay away from fat during this period and try not to go over 50gr of carbs a day.

Is salad allowed?

NO

What happens the night before surgery?

The last day of your liquid diet is the most important, so you can only have clear liquids during the day and by midnight you will not be allowed to have anything else, not even water.

How many days do I have to do?

FOR LAPBAND PATIENTS (BMI)

Under 35 – 1 day (clear liquids)

35 – 45 – 3 days (clear liquids)

46-55- 7 days (3 days of full liquids and 4 days of clear liquids)

Over 55 – 10 days (5 days of full liquids and 5 days of clear liquids)

FOR BYPASS PATIENTS (BMI)

35- 45- 5 days of clear liquids

Over 45 – 10 days (3 days of full liquids and 7 days of clear liquids)

Full liquids:

Chicken, beef or fish broth

Cristal Light

Tea

Free sugar Gelatin

Sugar free Popsicles

Fruit juices (25% juice, 75% water)

Lemonade with splenda

Skim milk

Yogurt light

Cream of wheat or oat

Fruit shakes (with water or milk and splenda)

Low fat soups (chicken, beef or vegetables blended)

Sugar free smoothies

Protein Shakes:

Protein Carbohydrates Fat

Isopure 50 gr 25 gr 0 gr

Optimum nutrition 23 gr 5 gr 1.5 gr

Advantage Edge 15 gr 3gr 3gr

Revival 20 gr 6gr 2gr

Profect 25gr 0gr 0gr

Perfect Start Plus 20gr 8gr 2gr

Protein Water 20gr 1gr 0gr

Six star 20gr 2gr 2gr

Blend it with WATER and some ice.

Clear Liquids:

Chicken, beef or fish broth

Tea

Cristal light

And

The protein shakes that you choice

Stay away from fat during this period. Try not to go over 50gr of carbs a day and the amount of protein must be 60 – 70 grams a day.

You have to drink two or three quarts of liquids a day.

Avoid

Carbonated beverages

Concentrated sweets (fruit juice, ice cream, chocolate milk or flavored milk products)

Alcohol