What is the ideal pre-surgery diet to follow?

Surgery is a very difficult procedure both, for the patient and the surgeon to get through. It is difficult for the surgeon as it is a very complicated process. However, it is also tough for the patient. This is because of the precautions that must be taken before for surgeries such as a bariatric surgery for diabetes. The diet after bariatric surgery is usually less problematic than the bariatric surgery diet before the surgery. However, the bariatric surgery diet, gastric bypass surgery diet and the sleeve gastrectomy diet are all similar since they are all weight loss surgeries.

Here below are the guidelines for a pre-surgery diet.

1. Do not eat too much at once:

After a bariatric surgery for diabetes or other weight loss surgeries, a lot of the organs, which are responsible for absorbing food, are not there. Therefore, it is crucial that you do not eat too much at once. If you do, you will most likely feel nauseated or even vomit as there are not enough organs to absorb all the food. It is recommended that you eat food at different times of the day and spread out your meals.

2. Take 800-1000 calories a day:

Calorie counting can be difficult. However, if you know how to use it, there are a lot of benefits. The first is that your organs will not have to absorb more than they are supposed to. If you spread out your meals across the day and do not take more or less than the required number of calories you need in a day, you will be okay. You will need a minimum of 800 calories, however, because you are consuming a lot fewer calories than the average person takes. Thus, taking fewer than 800 will make you weak.

3. Drink a minimum of 2 litres of fluid at regular intervals:

This is crucial as water is vital for your body’s metabolism to take place at a normal rate. If you do not drink enough fluids, regardless of how much food you take, you will be left feeling dehydrated and weak. Therefore, it is important to drink a lot of water at regular intervals during the day.

4. Avoid alcohol:

Sometimes even two litres of water a day is not good enough. This is because alcohol makes you feel weak. You are feeling weak enough as it is and your alcohol tolerance levels will be much less after the surgery. Therefore, it is essential that you do not drink alcohol as you will feel even weaker.

5. Take a multivitamin or mineral tablet:

Sometimes no matter how cautious you are about your diet, you will need a lot more help to recover well from the surgery. A multivitamin or mineral tablet is crucial as they give the nutrition needed, which may not be covered by your diet. Also, they do not take up too many calories, so there is no excuse for you not to take one.

Therefore, if you follow these pre-surgery diet guidelines whether you have had bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, and the sleeve gastrectomy, you should be able to recover swiftly. Get in touch with a doctor if you want a detailed diet chart.