Prepare Your Body

Maybe you have tried different types of diets, maybe you did not leave gyms for hours but still could not reach the result that you want. In this case, your doctor may advise gastric sleeve surgery if you are severely obese with a body mass index (BMI) over 40. Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of weight-loss surgery that involves the removal of a large part of your stomach. It restricts your food intake which leads to weight loss. Decided to choose a healthier life for yourself? Great! Now you can take the first step and start your pre-operative diet. 

If the liver is heavy, fatty and immobile, surgeons can have difficulties accessing the area. For 2 weeks before your surgery it is important to follow your liver shrinking diet. This diet is low in carbohydrates and fat and by following it, your body reduces its glycogen stores. With each ounce (28g) of glycogen, the body stores 3-4 ounces (85-113g) of water, so when you follow this diet your body loses its glycogen stores and some water resulting in the liver shrinking and softening.

To be able to reach a successful result at the end of your diet you must avoid alcohol and junk food such as crisps, biscuits. 

Choose one of the following:

- 3 tablespoons plain (no added sugar) breakfast cereal or dry porridge oats

- 1 Shredded wheat or supermarkets own brand

- 1 ½ Weetabix or supermarkets own brand

- 1 medium slice toast with scraping of margarine

Choose one of the following:

- 1 slice medium sliced bread/toast

- 2 crispbreads

- ½ bagel

- ½ pitta bread

With one of the following (weights are when cooked):

- 2 eggs

- 60g/2oz cheese (2 x match box size) - only have cheese once a day so if you

have it for lunch you should not have it at your evening meal and instead

choose another food from the list

- 8 thin packet slices of ham, chicken or turkey

- Small chicken breast without skin

- 4 rashers of grilled back bacon

- 100g/4oz meat (with fat cut off)

- 2 grilled sausages

- 100g/4oz fish

- 100g/4oz tofu or Quorn

With vegetables/salad (if using a dressing choose low fat options/vinegar based

dressing without oils).

Evening meal

Choose one of the following:

- 2 average sized old potatoes (boiled or mashed)

- 4 egg sized new potatoes with skin

- 2 tablespoons of cooked rice

- 2 tablespoons of cooked pasta

With one of the following (weights are when cooked):

- 2 eggs

- 60g/2oz cheese (2 x match box size) - only have cheese once a day so you

can have it at your evening meal if you did not have any for lunch. If you did

have cheese at lunch you should avoid it and choose another food from this

list.

- 8 thin packet slices of ham, chicken or turkey

- Small chicken breast without skin

- 4 rashers of grilled back bacon

- 100g/4oz meat (with fat cut off)

- 2 grilled sausages

- 100g/4oz fish

- 100g/4oz tofu or Quorn