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DOS and DONT'S: Pre-Op Diet

If you're planning to have weight loss surgery, you're probably well aware that you will have to follow a strict diet after surgery. What you might not know is that you will also be on a very serious diet BEFORE surgery ... The Liver Reduction Diet (LRD) or simply, The Pre-Op Diet.


What is the LRD?

The purpose of a liver reduction diet is to do just that ... reduce the size of your liver. But why? The entire purpose of the diet before weight loss surgery is to reduce your risk of complications.


Your liver is located directly in front of your stomach. It is one of the largest stores of sugar in the human body. If your liver is full of stored sugar, it will be larger and therefore could impair your surgeon's access to your stomach.


The liver is also a fatty organ. It accumulates fat around the outside of it a lot more abundantly than other organs. Which again, could make it tricky for your surgeon to get to your stomach.


The Liver Reduction Diet is a high-protein, low-carb, low-fat diet. It is designed to allow your liver to release its stored sugar, lose fat from around the outside of it, and shrink making it MUCH easier for your surgeon to see and operate on your stomach.

What if I don't follow the LRD before surgery?

Well, if your surgeon goes to operate and your liver is too large, they will likely do one of two things:

1. Call in an extra surgeon to help move your liver out of the way while your surgeon works on your stomach. *This increases your risk of complications drastically!*

2. Cancel surgery.


In most instances, the latter is always the case. Your surgeon does NOT want to put you at an increased risk for things going wrong both during & after surgery. They may also feel that if you couldn't adhere to a preoperative diet that you may not be compliant following surgery.

Let's be clear...

This diet is not easy. In fact, it might even be the hardest part of the entire process. In order for this diet to be effective, it has to be very restrictive. It's advisable to choose a surgery date wisely so you're not doing your pre-op diet during a holiday, vacation, or special celebration as there is not much leeway on this diet. "Cheating" here or there is unacceptable during the LRD.


Dos and Don'ts of the Pre-Op LRD

DO - Drink 64 ounces of sugar-free, caffeine-free, non-carbonated beverages

DON'T - Drink soda, juice, alcohol, regular coffee/tea, or sugar-sweetened beverages


DO - Eat at least three ounces of lean protein at each meal

DON'T - Eat fatty or processed meats like bacon, sausage, and high-fat cold cuts


DO - Eat at least two servings (2 cups) of non-starchy vegetables per day

DON'T - Eat any starchy vegetables like potatoes, yucca, or plantains


The Liver Shrinking Diet will somewhat vary depending on each patient’s situation as far as duration and foods allowed on the diet. Every practice will have a different approach. Some only allow liquids, primarily meal replacement protein shakes and calorie-free liquids, while others will include protein shakes, appropriate solid foods, and calorie-free liquids.


Despite the variations, the ultimate goal is to shrink your liver, lose some fat, and increase your chances of a successful surgery!

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