WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY PRE OP DIET – ENGLISH

The liver is an essential organ for our body, one of its functions is to metabolize medication. Anatom- ically it is on top of the stomach and is in the area of the procedure; most of our patients regularly have a fatty liver, during the procedure, it is carefully held back with surgical instruments. An enlarged liver is very fragile and bleeds quite easily when touched or handled during surgery. This bleeding can be difficult to control, and the extra care required with an enlarged liver increases surgical risk, as well as surgical time. Longer surgical time and extended time under general anesthe- sia can make both immediate and longer-term recovery much more difficult for you. For patients that have a BMI of 30 or over, a special high protein low-carb pre-op diet has been extremely effec- tive in shrinking the liver, so that the risks of bleeding and extended surgery times are greatly decreased. This is why we recommend following the liver-shrinking diet to further decrease surgical risks.

This diet is balanced, varied, and healthy. You will start to adopt new eating habits and avoid carbo- hydrate foods such as: Rice, quinoa, oats, granola, bread, tortillas, corn, potato, sweet potato, crack- ers, beans, lentils, soy, tofu, chickpeas, etc.

You will also avoid junk food and high-calorie foods such as refined flour, pasta, bread, cookies, desserts, fried foods, foods cooked in excess oil and/or butter, drinks containing added sugar, and alcoholic beverages.

You will focus on eating protein (skimmed milk, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken, fish, salmon, tuna, lean meat, eggs, etc) and vegetables (avoid corn, potato, sweet potato, as these are not vegeta- bles). You may eat 1 portion of fruit daily (always prefer berries).

There are no calorie limitations on the pre-op liver-shrinking diet. You may eat/drink as much as you wish of the allowed things to feel satisfied, although we suggest reasonable limits to assist your weight loss. This does not have to be a liquid diet.

Start with low carb (30 grams or less daily), high protein (minimum 60-90 grams daily), keep a close eye on the fat intake (don’t overdo it), and drink at least the minimum required daily amount (64 ounces) of plain water intake diet before surgery. If you chose to drink a protein shake please read the labels. You should get from 25 to 30 grams of protein and less than 5 grams of total carbohy- drates per serving. Protein shakes are not required but are very convenient.

Tips:

• Drink sugar-free liquids on demand (minimum 64 oz daily). • Stick to nutritional guidelines.

• Follow established meal schedules.
• Respect food portions.
• Chew food very well 25 to 30 times.
• Do physical activity 30 minutes a day.
• Stop eating as soon as you feel satisfied. • Stay constantly hydrated.

• In case of headache, dizziness, or fatigue you can consume a portion of fruit, fresh orange juice, or coconut water.
• Do not fry your food. Prefer grilling, steaming, or baking.
• You can season with spices, salt, lemon, and tajin in moderation.

• Cook with avocado or olive oil (use as mínimum as possible).

Example 1

6:00 am a 9:00 am: Omelet – Egg whites (4 pieces) filled with sliced mushrooms.

9:00 am to 12:00 pm: Plain greek yogurt (1/2 – 1 cup) with blueberries (1 cup)

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Chicken – Cooked chicken (90 grams) stewed with onion, tomato, and chipotle accompanied with a green salad.

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Cucumber slices (1 cup)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Zucchini stew – Stewed diced zucchini, diced tomato and onion, and panela cheese (60 grams) served with avocado (1/3 piece).

Example 2

6:00 a 9:00 am: Sunnyside up egg whites – Egg whites (4 pieces) with roasted asparagus.

9:00 am to 12:00 pm: Cucumber (1 cup)

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Ground turkey meat (90 grams) stewed with peas and carrot.

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Cottage cheese (3 tablespoons) with strawberries (1 cup)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Chicken soup- cooked chicken (90 grams), carrots, zucchini, and celery.

Example 3

6:00 to 9:00 am: Scrambled egg whites – Egg whites (4 pieces) scrambled with tomato and onion.

9:00 am to 12:00 pm: Jicama (1 cup)

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Chicken Fajitas – Sliced chicken (90 grams) stewed with carrots, red onion, and peppers.

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Celery slices + peanut butter (2 tablespoons)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Tuna Salad – Tuna (90 grams) with spinach, lettuce, carrot, peas, and cream (1 tablespoon)

Example 4

6:00 to 9:00 am: Scrambled egg – Egg whites (4 pieces) scrambled with spinach.

9:00 am to 12:00 pm: Smoothie – (1 cup of milk + 1 cup of berries + 1 tablespoon of peanut butter)

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Grilled chicken breast – Grilled chicken breast (90 grams) served with steamed carrots and zucchini.

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Jicama (1 cup)

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Ham rolls – Turkey ham (3 slices) filled with panela cheese (2 slices each roll).

Example 5

6:00 to 9:00 am: Scrambled egg whites – Egg whites (4 pieces) served with roasted zucchini.

9:00 am to 12:00 pm: Mixed berries (1 cup).

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Baked Fish – Baked fish (90 grams) served with sautéed mushrooms and spinach.

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Cucumber (1 cup).

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Chicken Salad – Grilled chicken breast (90 grams) with spinach, lettuce, tomato slices, carrot, and avocado.