Bariatric Pre-Op Formula

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Starting on a Pre-Bariatric Surgery Diet

Pre-bariatric surgery diets typically begin 2 to 3 months before gastric bypass surgery. Depending on a person's health, weight and body composition, bariatric surgery candidates are generally put on a diet by their surgeon or dietician ranging from 800-1200 calories per day, consisting of 70-120 grams of protein each day. The diet also typically calls for a much lower intake of carbohydrates and dietary fat, especially refined sugars and saturated fat.

A pre-surgery bariatric diet is designed to:

Reduce Body Fat - especially the depot fat around the abdominal mid-section. Since this is the specific surgical area, this is beneficial to the safety of the patient.

Preserve Lean Body Mass - intake of sufficient amounts of  protein  is "anti-catabolic" or "protein sparing". This means that getting adequate protein prevents the body from utilizing lean muscle tissue as an energy source while losing body fat on a calorie restricted diet.

Prepare the Body for Post-Surgery Recovery - eating healthy, increasing protein intake and avoiding refined carbohydrates, sugars and saturated fats provides the body with beneficial nutrients, vitamins and minerals that will help prepare it for the nutritionally demanding post-bariatric surgery recovery.

Prepare the Patient for the Post-Surgery Diet - following a reduced calorie, higher protein, lower carbohydrate diet is essentially the way a bariatric surgery patient will be eating for the rest of their life. Therefore, before the surgery is the best time to get used to making healthy food choices and using  protein supplements  that will be needed after surgery.