An accurate diet plan is always necessary when aiming to lose weight. If you’re a suitable candidate to undergo weight loss surgery, a proper diet before and after the operation is a must. Gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass – generally known as bariatric surgery – are among the most popular weight loss surgeries. Bariatric surgery is performed to change the digestive system; its primary purpose is to help the patient lose weight. In order to be eligible for a Bariatric surgery you will need to undergo a thorough medical examination and start with the 1200-calorie pre-Bariatric surgery diet.

Gastric sleeve surgery, or any other type of bariatric surgery, is aimed at people who have struggled with obesity and weight-related health issues for years. When nothing else seems to work – when strict diets and regular exercise didn’t help at all – patients suffering from obesity have the option of turning to weight loss surgery to improve the quality of their lives. Obesity can lead to significant health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Maybe, you tried it all; you committed to a healthy diet, started working out daily, and even boosted your weight loss with supplements such as Lipo C injections. When you run out of options, weight loss surgery may be the next thing to do.

What is the purpose of the pre-bariatric diet?

Following a strict food regime before and after the surgery is highly important. To guarantee the success of a weight loss surgery, you must completely change your lifestyle after the procedure; that includes your eating habits and physical activity. You’ll have to stick to a strict bariatric meal plan in the months after the surgery. But the time before the bariatric surgery is equally important.

In the months before the operation, you’ll have to follow a very specific pre-bariatric surgery diet plan, often known as the 1200-calorie pre-bariatric surgery diet. And about a week before the procedure, you’ll switch to the bariatric surgery liquid diet. But let’s focus on the 1200-calorie pre-bariatric surgery diet for now. A pre-bariatric surgery diet plan is a diet low in carbs and fats and high in lean proteins. The purpose of this diet plan is to prepare your body for surgery. People with obesity tend to have fatty livers, which can be a complication for the surgeon since the stomach is positioned right below the liver. If you start to lose weight before the operation, you will decrease the chances of complications during the procedure.

A post-op bariatric surgery diet can be challenging; you must change many habits to lead a healthy lifestyle. You have to compromise with a healthy diet to ensure the operation’s success. By starting as soon as possible, you’ll not only prepare your body for surgery and the massive weight change it’s going to go through. Changing your eating habits from the moment you decide to undergo weight loss surgery will help make things easier for you after the procedure.

How to prepare for the procedure

Ideally, you’ll commit to leading a healthy lifestyle from the moment you decide to go through a weight loss surgery. The 1200-calorie diet plan is one of the most vital elements for your weight loss journey. Depending on your current weight, age, gender, and other factors, you have to lose about 10 to 15 pounds before the operation. Your physician will guide you through this phase and tell you how much weight you should lose. For this, a low-calorie diet plan may not be enough. Besides a pre-bariatric surgery diet, you’ll have to start engaging in regular physical activity determined by your physician.

Some food items are off the table. You should avoid processed foods, saturated fats, pasta, rice, chocolate, some desserts, and sweetened drinks such as soda and energy drinks. Limiting your meat intake is also recommended, as well as quitting tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine.

Remember, any bariatric surgery, no matter if you choose a gastric sleeve surgery or a duodenal switch, means a massive change for your body. Make sure to follow all the recommendations from your surgeon and dietitian specialist. Take good care of your body before and after the procedure.

A 1200-calorie pre-bariatric meal plan

Achieving weight loss goals is easier when you have a suitable calorie meal plan to follow. Once you decide to undergo a weight loss surgery, a bariatric surgery diet comes along. A pre-bariatric surgery diet focuses on consuming lean protein and fresh, low-calorie ingredients. You have a variety of meal ideas to pick from; just be aware not to pass the allowed 1200 calories per day.

Breakfast

Bran flakes bowl

Bran flakes are high in fiber, making them a great addition to this low-calorie diet. For this easy breakfast, grab a bowl, and add 3/4 cup of bran flakes and 1 cup of fat-free milk. You can top it off with your favorite fruit, like a sliced banana or a handful of blueberries. With one of those fruits, this breakfast has about 250 kcal – 290 kcal.

Protein shakes and smoothies

Protein shakes are a fantastic way to start your day. You’ll consume all the nutrients you need to keep your energy levels up through the morning. Also, after the operation, you’ll need to stick to a bariatric surgery liquid diet, so you better start falling in love with shakes and smoothies. Another good side of smoothies, they can help you lose weight – like this avocado smoothie for weight loss. A delicious idea to begin your day is a strawberry smoothie—Mix 1 cup of strawberries, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, and 1 tbsp chia seeds. You can add your favorite sweetener – we recommend Stevia or another low-calorie sweetener. This smoothie has about 150 kcal.

Lunch

Green goddess salad with chicken

For this delicious lunch, grab a large bowl and toss some chopped romaine lettuce, one sliced cucumber, and six cherry tomatoes. Slice or chop 3 ounces of skinless cooked chicken breast and add it to the vegetables. For the dressing, you can blend one avocado, 1 1/2 cup buttermilk, 2 tbsp vinegar, and a pinch of salt or pepper. This dish has about 300 kcal per serving.

Grilled fish tacos

To begin with, this recipe, mix salt, ground fresh pepper, cumin, garlic powder, and the juice from a lime into a bowl. Put 1 pound of tilapia fillets in the mix, leave it in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours, and then grill the marinated fillets. For this recipe, you’ll use whole wheat tortillas. To serve the tacos, place the grilled fish in the tortillas – make sure to chop it into little pieces first – add your favorite low-carb toppings: chopped red onion, sliced tomato, chopped lettuce, and avocado. For the dressing, you can use Greek yogurt mixed with lime juice. You’ll get about six tacos with this amount of fish. Two tacos add up to 300 kcal.

Dinner

Spanish chicken stew

For this Spanish dish, put 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan and brown 500g skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about six thighs). Once both sides are golden (about 7 minutes), put the chicken tights aside. Add another tbsp of olive oil to the pan. Put one chopped onion, two chopped garlic globes, and one red pepper sliced into big pieces—Cook for 8 minutes. Finally, put the chicken tights back in the saucepan, pour 1 2/3 cup chicken stock, and add paprika to the taste. Boil the stew for 25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Once it’s done, add black olives and almonds. Each serving of this dish has 330kcal and 34g of protein.

Carrot soup

This recipe is so easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. Spread olive oil in a pot, add 1 pound of chopped carrots, and stir for a few minutes. Add half a chopped onion and 1 tsp grated ginger. Sauté for 3 minutes while stirring to avoid burning the ginger. Add 3 cups of vegetable stock and salt or pepper for flavor. Cover the pot, lower the heat to a minimum, and cook until the carrots turn soft – around 20 minutes. Once the onions are finished, set the soup aside to cool; once cooled, put it in a blender – you can also use an immersion blender – and blend until smooth. This recipe serves 4. The great idea is to put the leftovers in the fridge and heat it the next day; it will save you a lot of time. One serving of this soup only has 100 kcal.

Final thoughts

A weight loss surgery can be a stressful event for your body. But if you prepare yourself with a bariatric surgery diet and eat a good amount of lean protein, you’ll be good to go. Ask a specialist about boosting your journey with phentermine for weight loss in case you need a little extra help or struggle with intense hunger spikes. Always consult with a professional before jumping on board with a strict diet. A physician or nutritionist will show you the right way to follow this diet. They’ll also advise you on the best and most affordable weight loss surgery for you. That is why our team at our weight loss clinic in Chicago has come up with this 1200-calorie pre-bariatric surgery diet plan. So, Schedule a call with us today if you need the right team to guide you through your new healthy lifestyle.

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