Foods you Can Eat During the Pre-op Stage Before Weight Loss Surgery

The pre-op diet for weight loss surgery can be extremely challenging. In my opinion, it is the most difficult stage of the entire journey. This is because you have to be on an extremely strict diet prior to the procedure and since you haven’t had the surgery yet, you are just as hungry as ever! You have to be able to resist foods and get control without the help of the surgery. It can be really difficult because you don’t have the tool of the surgery yet. However, it is important to follow the guidelines because the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver prior to surgery. If you don’t do it, you could risk having complications.

So, what can you eat? The short answer is, it depends. Each surgeon is different and requires a different diet. The most common pre-op diet is a liquid diet that is similar to the first couple weeks post-op. However, there are some surgeons that only want you to do a low-carb diet. I was one that was on a low carb diet prior to the surgery. I could eat things like bacon, eggs, and turkey. I also had a protein shake that I took during my pre-op diet. I was not able to eat anything heavy in carbohydrates. People that follow the liquid diet pre-op tend to eat things like sugar-free jello, popsicles, protein shakes, skim milk, and soups. No matter if you follow the liquid or no carb diet, one of the most important things about the pre-op diet is NO SODA!

Most surgeons require you to be on the pre-op diet for about 2 weeks prior to surgery. The liquid diet can get extremely boring, so change it up as much as you can. You will be on this diet for a while post-op so it is important that you get used to it now before the procedure. Use this opportunity to get used to your new lifestyle. It will test your willpower and you will be extremely vulnerable. If you can get through this, you will be golden after weight loss surgery! YOU GOT THIS!