Do I Need to Follow a Special Diet Before Weight Loss Surgery?

The short answer is, yes, and here are the reasons why it is a crucial part of your journey for both the success of the surgery and your recovery afterward. Some other terms you might hear for this diet are called a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) or a liver shrinking diet. 

Why is a Pre-Surgery Diet Important?

The goal of the pre-operative diet is to help create more space in the abdominal area, which makes the surgery itself easier and safer. Weight loss surgery is still major surgery and like all surgeries, it carries risks. 

The increased space that is created in the abdominal area comes from the weight loss as well as shrinkage of the liver. The liver lies close to the stomach and it needs to be lifted out of the way during the surgery to allow safe access to the stomach. If the liver is large and fatty at the time of surgery, it makes it more difficult for the surgeon to access the stomach, which can result in a longer operation and more time under general anaesthetic for you. 

The benefits of the pre-surgery diet for the surgery are:

• Enabling better access to the stomach

• Increasing operative space and softening the abdominal wall

• Reduced chances of complications

The pre-surgery diet also gives you a chance to get familiar with the types of meal replacements you'll be using after surgery, so it’s a good opportunity to practise and find what works best for you.

What does the Pre-Surgery Diet Involve?

Before you commence the pre-surgery diet, the Dietitian will go through the requirements of the diet, specific to your needs to ensure that it is tailored to you. 

The pre-surgery diet typically commences 2 weeks before your surgery date. For some people, they can have a longer pre-surgery diet. Your BMI and current health status is taken into consideration when deciding how long you will need to be on the diet. 

The pre-surgery diet involves going on a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) through using meal replacements. This enables your body to induce ketosis. Ketosis is when your body switches from using carbohydrates as the main source of energy, to using your body fat. This typically results in rapid weight loss. One can expect to lose around 5kg in a 2 week period of being on this diet. 

If you have any questions or want more information about the pre-surgery diet, feel free to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

The information provided on this website is of a general nature and should not be considered a substitute for individualised medical advice. It is essential to consult a qualified medical practitioner for personalised advice regarding your health, diagnosis, and management. The content on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.