Liquid Diet Before Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric or weight loss surgery is now considered the most effective weight loss treatment method there is and it can offer the greatest chance for long term weight loss. This type of surgery can reduce your risk of obesity-related medical conditions, which is one of its many benefits, and an indicator that you may be eligible is if you have a body mass index (BMI) over 35. Your BMI may be aggravated by one or more health issues such as type 2 diabetes., high blood pressure, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol or triglycerides.

Once our team determines that you are a candidate for weight loss surgery, we can determine the most effective type of surgery for you. Weight loss surgery is a serious procedure, with the potential to change your life. Our multidisciplinary team will do both physical and psychological evaluations to determine your possibility of undergoing surgery.

Once your surgery is given the green light, it’s important to know that the process begins up to two weeks before the actual bariatric procedure. You must be prepared, both mentally and physically, to undergo this invasive treatment, meaning that you must cut back on unhealthy habits and start following the recommendations set by your doctor. This includes following a strict liquid diet that can begin up to six weeks[1] before your bariatric surgery.

At LIMARP®, we ensure that our technology is always up to date, to provide our patients with the highest quality care. Through these tools, we can help provide more personalized treatment with less health risks to each and every patient. Our surgical and medical teams also dedicate themselves to continued education on how best to implement these technologies, ensuring safe and effective treatments. Our multidisciplinary team includes expert nutritionists that will guide you before and after your bariatric surgery, making sure that you remain strong and healthy while following a liquid diet.

What’s a Liquid Diet?

A liquid diet mostly consists of liquids or soft foods that melt at room temperature[2]. It usually provides sufficient hydration, helps maintain electrolyte balance, and is often prescribed for people when solid food diets are not recommended, such as before undergoing bariatric surgery. This type of diet should not be carried out without medical supervision since some negative side effects include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, hair loss, and dry skin.

During this type of diet, your food options before bariatric surgery will be reduced to water, natural fruit juices, nonfat plain yogurt, soup broth, liquid supplements, and unsweetened tea or coffee. This is just a general list and your nutritionist will assign a liquid diet plan personalized to your needs.

Now, you may also wonder about the difference between the liquid diet we just described and a clear liquid diet, and it’s very important to learn more about their distinctions.

A clear liquid diet is medically prescribed for short periods to rest and clean out your digestive tract while providing adequate short-term hydration and some energy. Just like it sounds, the diet consists of clear liquids and foods that melt into clear liquids. It excludes solid foods and liquids that you can’t see through. Clear liquids are easily absorbed by your digestive system, and they also allow technicians to see clearly into your digestive tract during an imaging test[3].

These types of diets must be implemented for two weeks before undergoing bariatric surgery and it’s necessary that they are carefully followed to avoid any complications during the procedure. Many patients may worry that they’re not getting enough energy from their food, but a liquid diet is designed so that they can get enough protein, fat, vitaming, and minerals, while lowering their calorie and carbohydrate intake[4].

What to Expect

In the two weeks before your bariatric surgery, your body will adjust to the liquid diet, and while you may feel very hungry at first, it’s a small hurdle to ensure a successful surgery. The liquid diet serves several purposes, like helping you lose some weight before surgery, which “reduces the risk of your laparoscopic surgery having to be converted to open surgery. It also reduces your liver size, intra-abdominal fat, comorbidities, operating time, recovery time, and post-operative risks”[5].

Of course, there are some side effects that may present themselves while your body is adjusting to the liquid diet, such as bad breath or a dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your doctor so that they can provide adequate recommendations or make changes to your liquid diet plan. It’s important that you’re healthy and in your best shape before undergoing bariatric surgery, so don’t hesitate to communicate your needs with your doctor.

What to Eat and What Not to Eat

We previously mentioned some appropriate foods you can consume while on a liquid diet before undergoing bariatric surgery. However, it’s also important to learn what not to eat or consume before surgery. According to the University of Florida Health[6], it is important to include a protein shake multiple times daily to help ensure good nutritional status prior to surgery. You should aim for a goal of 60 to 80 grams of protein per day and also add a general multivitamin and calcium supplement to meet basic nutrient needs. While swallow form of supplements will be acceptable long-term, initially chewable forms are recommended for optimal digestion and absorption.

When it comes to which foods to avoid before bariatric surgery, it goes without saying that solid food is completely off limits, but so are liquids such as carbonated beverages, alcoholic drinks, drinks with a high calorie count, and dairy smoothies. Only your doctor will be able to confirm which liquids are adequate for your diet before undergoing bariatric surgery, and if you have any questions, make sure to contact them.

More Information About Liquid Diets

Aside from preparing your body for bariatric surgery, going on a liquid diet before your procedure will also prepare you for the postoperative process. While you’re in recovery, you’ll also be on a liquid diet for up to 4 weeks, so being familiar with this type of diet will make this period easier. A liquid diet is relatively simple because it allows patients to consume meal replacement drinks, as well as clear liquids like water and broths. The calories needed, which are up to 1,200 a day, come mostly from these meal replacement drinks. The goal is to offer complete nutritional balance while avoiding high-fat and high-sugar products[7].

Contact Us to Learn More

If you want to learn more about going on a liquid diet before undergoing bariatric surgery, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. We can help determine the right treatment for you. Contact us online anytime or give us a call at (619) 373-0229.