Pre-Surgery Diet
You will be advised to start a low-carbohydrate, high protein diet to help you lose approximately 5% of your body weight before surgery.

The purpose of this diet is to shrink your liver so that the surgeon can more easily lift up the liver during laparoscopic surgery.

The dietitian will review the specifics of a 30 gram carbohydrate, high protein diet during your initial nutrition visit.

Post Op Diets
The dietary progression following surgery will depend on the type of procedure you have. To promote healing after surgery, you will need to avoid foods which are irritating to the stomach (i.e., caffeine, alcohol, acidy foods.) The diet is progressed from liquids to pureed foods to soft solids to regular foods in such a way as to promote optimal healing and to allow your body to re-learn how to digest foods. You will be given specific instructions on proper diet progression, size of meals, and supplements required.

Lap Band Diet:

• This procedure reduces stomach capacity, which reduces the volume of food which can be eaten.
• Adequate protein intake is essential - liquid protein supplements will be needed for at least the first few months.
• A multivitamin/mineral supplement will be required for the rest of your life.
• Adequate fluids (64 ounces per day) are needed to prevent dehydration and help the body eliminate wastes.

Gastric Bypass Diet:

• In addition to reducing stomach capacity, this procedure causes some malabsorption, limiting the availability of certain nutrients. These nutrients must be supplemented for the rest of your life:
• Multiple vitamin/mineral supplement
• Vitamin B-12
• Thiamin (taken as part of a B-complex supplement)
• Iron (except most males and non-menstruating females)
• Calcium
• Adequate protein intake is essential – 80 grams of protein daily from supplements are usually required for the first year after surgery
• Adequate fluids (64 ounces per day) are needed to prevent dehydration and help the body eliminate wastes.