Paying attention to diet isn’t something you should only be concerned about after gastric sleeve surgery. You’ll be encouraged to set and achieve certain nutrition goals prior to undergoing this procedure as well. Typically, patients are asked to lose about 10 percent of their excess weight body weight in advance of surgery of this nature, focusing more on nutrition can help with this goal. It also helps to have better eating habits established prior to surgery to make it easier to stick to your post-surgery diet recommendations after you transition off of liquids and soft foods.

Reducing Calorie Intake

Calorie intake before gastric sleeve surgery should be reduced to about 1200 calories per day for women and about 1500 calories per day for men, but this can vary based on what your doctor recommends. This is similar to the calorie intake you’ll want to adhere to after your surgery. A few weeks prior to your operation, daily calories should be reduced to around 800. When you get to the final two weeks, a recommended meal plan is often two protein shakes a day and a full meal of about 350 calories.

Getting More Protein

Your diet prior to sleeve surgery should include more protein and fewer carbohydrates. The general recommendation is to consume about 70 to 120 grams of protein per day. Doing so will make you feel fuller and help you to lose weight pre-surgery. Protein also prepares your tissues in your stomach and abdominal muscles for the healing process. Protein isolate are sometimes recommended to help with the absorption of protein. This mixture can be blended with skim milk or water for a healthier option. If you are lactose intolerant, opt for soy milk instead. Protein can come from a variety of healthy sources, including:

• Eggs
• Lean beef and pork and skinless chicken/turkey
• Fish and shellfish
• Beans and lentils
• Low-fat and non-fat dairy products

Consuming More Fruits and Veggies

Prior to your surgery, get into the habit of eating more fruits and vegetables. Not only will this get you used to the type of foods you’ll want to include in your diet post-op, but it will also give you a reliable source of important nutrients. Green, leafy vegetables have the highest concentration of nutrients, which will be something your body will need after your surgery. With fruits, those that are bright-colored tend to be more nutritious. A good rule of thumb is to fill half of your plate with fruits and veggies.

Making an effort to set nutrition goals before your sleeve surgery achieves two main goals. First, if you lose some of your excess weight prior to the procedure, potential risks associated with this type of surgery will be reduced, especially those associated with your liver. Second, you will get a head start on adopting the type of healthy eating habits you’ll need to stick with post-surgery if you want to see positive and lasting results with sleeve surgery.