Are you considering a surgical weight loss treatment?
We offer Gastric Sleeve surgery as one of our weight loss treatments. Our team at NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions can help you make an informed decision about whether this surgery is for you and how you should prepare for it.
A bit about gastric sleeve surgery
During the procedure, our surgical experts will laparoscopically remove a portion of your stomach and make a narrow sleeve out of the remaining portion of your stomach. This sleeve typically is around 15% of your original stomach size/volume. The surgery reduces the size of your stomach, resulting in you filling full much quicker and feeling hungry less often.
Getting ready for the gastric sleeve surgery with the right diet
If this surgery is right for you, it’s time to prepare for the surgery. Since this procedure pertains to your digestive system, there are some special dietary preparations you will need to do before you come in for your surgery.
This is what you need to eat every day, for the month before the surgery:
Reduce carbohydrates
We start by putting you on a low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diet. You would need to quit eating salty & oily foods, potatoes, pasta, bread, rice, grains, etc.
Increase lean proteins
After you reduce the carbs, we ask you to replace these with lean protein, such as chicken, tofu, paneer, fish, beans, lentils, yogurt, pork loin, eggs, edamame, quinoa, etc. This will ensure only the fat will come down, but your muscles remain unaffected.
Replace lost fats with safer, healthy fats
Of course, fat is important for the body. But the type of fat makes all the difference in the world to your health and surgery. We recommend choosing healthy fats from nuts, avocado, chia seeds, olives, peanut butter (in moderation), etc. You should also replace the cooking oil you use with extra virgin olive/sesame/canola/peanut oil.
Include lots of water
Water not only removes toxins from your body but also infuses you with essential nutrients. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water.
What you should consume 2-3 days before the surgery
In the last few days leading up to the gastric sleeve surgery, you’ll need to go on an all-liquid diet. Ideally, you should stick to meat/vegetable broths, soups, fruit/veggie juices, and low-calorie sodas. Water should also be on your must-have list.
What about the night before the surgery?
You’ll need to stop eating and drinking anything at least 12 hours before your surgery. Typically, you should have your meal as early as possible the previous evening, so you don’t eat or drink anything from midnight on the day of your surgery. Avoid water too. You should be on a complete fast.
You may also need to discontinue specific medication, such as:
- Anticoagulants
- NSAIDs
- Arthritis medicines
- Herbal drugs
Please consult your doctor before stopping any medication.
Why should you follow such a specific pre-surgery diet?
Patients with obesity often have livers that are larger than they should be. This is because excess fat accumulates around your liver and enlarges its size. The liver, which nestles against your stomach, will not give your surgeon enough space to perform the surgery. That’s why we focus on reducing your liver size prior to the surgery so that the procedure can be done safely and successfully.
If you have any questions about the pre-gastric sleeve surgery diet, please contact us at NJ Advanced Surgical Solutions. We are happy to answer any questions you have.