Bariatric Pre-Op Diet

Here's the diet my surgeon gave me, word for word! I hope you find it useful.

Pre-operative (liver reduction) meal plan

At least two weeks prior to you surgical date, you must do the following to prepare your body for surgery and to shrink the size of your liver.  Depending on how much pre-operative weight you need to lose, the bariatric team may recommend you follow the pre-op diet for longer.

Everyday aim to have:

• 1-2 servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or dairy products
• 1-2 servings of fruit
• 1-2 servings of healthy fat
• Unlimited non-starchy vegetables
• One palm sized serving of lean protein (approximately 3 ounces)
• 2 protein supplements (at least 35 grams of protein each)

1-2 servings of fat-free milk or fat-free or 2% reduced fat dairy products

Allowed Dairy Products / Dairy Alternatives

• Skim milk or reduced fat milk
• Lactose-free milk
• Original or light soy milk or almond milk
• 1/2 cup 0% or 2% reduced fat cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
• Light, non-fat yogurt such as 0% fat Greek yogurt, dannon light n' fit, Yoplait light, Activia light, etc. 
• Note, if you are lactose intolerant, try unsweetened soy milk or light vanilla soy milk that is sweetened with an artificial sweetener, not sugar

Dairy Products to Avoid

• Full fat milk
• Heavy cream or half and half
• Full fat cheese
• Full fat sour cream, whipped cream, cream cheese, etc.

1-2 servings of fruit

Allowed Fruits

• Any fruit is acceptable (fresh or frozen fruit is preferred over canned fruit)
• If choosing canned fruit, make sure it is not sweetened with sugar or canned in syrup

Fruits to avoid

• Fruits with added sugar
• Canned fruit in syrup (heavy or light)
• Fruit juice (even if it says 100% fruit juice)
• 1 serving of fruit = 1/2 cup cut fruit or berries or a small apple, pear, or orange that is no larger than the size of a tennis ball.

Unlimited non-starchy vegetables

Allowed Vegetables

• Any non-starchy veggies are allowed such as asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, green beans, leafy greens, (i.e. spring mix, field greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, collards, etc) tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, radishes, etc. 

Vegetables to Avoid

• All starchy vegetables such as:
• Corn
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Legumes (kidney beans, Lima beans, chickpeas, pintos
• Winter squash (acorn, butternut, or spaghetti squash, pumpkin)

1 three-ounce portion of lean protein

Allowed lean proteins

• Chicken 
• Turkey 
• Lamb
• Eggs and egg whites
• Lean beef such as the cuts that end in loin (sirloin, tenderloin, etc)
• Lean pork such as pork loin
• Game meats such as bison and venison
• Seafood
• Tofu
• Fat-free dairy products such as cottage cheese and Greek yogurt

Meats to avoid

• Processed meats such as salami, bologna, sausage, bacon, hot dogs, Vienna sausage, spam, etc.
• Any poultry, meat, or seafood that is FRIED
• Meats high in saturated fat such as prime rib
• The skin on poultry
• At one of your three meals, eat one palm-sized portion of lean protein (the size of a deck of cards or approximately 3 ounces)
• At two of your three meals, eat one, 1-ounce serving of lean protein
• Remove the skin form poultry, all excess and visible fat from red meat.
• Foods should be baked, broiled, grilled, or poached in broth, NOT fried.

***Note: 1 serving of protein= 1oz of fish, poultry, lean red meat, or 2% reduced-fat cheese, 1/2 cup of reduced fat or fat free cottage cheese, 1 whole egg, 2 egg whites, 1 cup of skim milk, etc***

2 protein supplements

• Protein supplements include protein shakes, powders, and pre-made drinks 
• Find one you like- you MUST use it before and after surgery!
• Look for protein powders that contain "whey protein isolate" powder
• Supplements should have less than 7g of sugar per serving, and at least 20g of protein per serving
• Each shake should have a total of at least 35g of protein
• How do I get 35g of protein in one shake? Mix 1/2 scoops of whey protein (30g protein) + 8oz skim milk (7g protein) = 37g protein
• Some recommended brands include: Isopure, Jay Robb, Unjury, Prostat, Super Advanced Whey Protein (Body Fortress)
• Many protein supplements are available on line and in various vitamin shops. Jay Robb and Unjury is sold in our gift shop.

1-2 servings of healthy fat

Healthy Fat + Serving Size

• Light, trans fat free margarine (no hydrogenated oils): 1tbsp
• Canola or olive oil (try cooking spray): 1tsp
• Light salad dressing (45 calories or less per serving): 2tbsp
• Hummus: 2tbsp
• Natural peanut or almond butter (without added sugar or high fructose corn syrup): 2tbsp
• Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or seeds: 1oz.
• Avocado: 1/3 of an avocado

Sample Menu:

Morning:

1 of 2 dairy servings + 1 protein serving, 1 of 2 protein shakes, 1 of 2 fruit serving: 

• 8 oz. skim milk
• 1 to 1 1/2 scoops of whey protein isolate powder
• 1/2 cup of fruit

Snack

2 of 2 dairy servings & 1 protein serving, 2 of 2 fruit servings

• Light yogurt
• 1/2 cup fruit

Noon

1 protein serving, vegetable serving, 1 of 2 healthy fat servings

• 1 hard boiled egg on top of a...
• salad with non starch vegetables
• 1-2 tbsp of light salad dressing

Snack

2 of 2 protein shakes

• 8oz water mixed with 1 to 1 1/2 scoops of whey protein isolate powder

Evening:

1 palm sized portion of lean protein, vegetable serving, 2of 2 healthy fat servings

• 3oz baked chicken breast
• non starchy vegetables topped with...
• 1 tsp olive oil