The gastric sleeve procedure is quick and the risk for complications is low. Since patients are overweight, it’s likely that their liver is also and a large liver increases surgical risk. However, the liver can shrink in size if a strict gastric sleeve pre-op diet is followed. This will make surgery safer for the patient and helps to prepare them for the post-op gastric sleeve diet after surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Diet: Pre-op diet
So why do you need to be on such a strict diet before surgery? The patient will need to follow their physician’s recommended two week diet, prior to the procedure. Most of these pre-op diets recommend increasing protein consumption, eliminating sugars and lowering carb consumption. It’s very important to stick to this pre-op diet because it will help to shrink the liver while also decreasing the patient’s risk for complications during recovery.
Some surgeons will recommend that the patient stops drinking caffeine and carbonated beverages. Most doctors will recommend that you adhere to a diet consisting of clear liquids, 48 hours prior to the surgery. Clear liquids include sugar free Jello, broth, water and popsicles.
After the procedure the very strict gastric sleeve diet may seem a bit too severe, however, it’s crucial that you closely follow your physician’s instructions in order to avoid complications, such as nausea and vomiting. During the first week of recovery the diet will consist of clear liquids only. This diet may seem impossible to follow but most patients will find that they have very little desire to eat during this time.
Cheating on the diet can cause constipation, dehydration, diarrhea, gastric leaks or bowel obstruction. This phase of the diet includes decaf tea, water, Jello, broth, sugar free popsicles and decaf coffee. Be sure to avoid caffeine, sugar and carbonated beverages.
During the second week after recovery you may begin to feel hunger pains. You will still need to stick to the diet ordered by your physician. During this phase you can begin adding some soft foods such as yogurt, sugar free pudding, soft noodles, cream soup, sugar free juice, applesauce and watery oatmeal.
The diet changes significantly during week three. This phase allows you to add some real food into your diet; however, you will need to puree it. The goal for your diet this week will be to consume at least sixty grams of protein a day, eat slowly and add new foods to your diet one by one.
The Last Week of the Post-op Gastric Surgery Diet
After surgery food may taste differently and may be tolerated differently than before surgery. For many patients dairy will be hard to tolerate, so it’s recommended that you begin slowly, by eating diary in small portions. It’s important that you give your body time to react to each new food. Doing so allows you to identify the foods that are causing diarrhea, stomach upset and gas.
Week four means allows you to start introducing real food into your diet. Your stomach may still be sensitive so it’s important that you add these new foods slowly. These foods include cereal, veggies, fruits, fish, chicken, mashed or baked potatoes and fruits.