Changing eating habits before a Bariatric Procedure. According to the experts, Bariatric surgery (BS) is today the most effective therapy for inducing long-term weight loss and for reducing comorbidity burden and mortality in patients with severe obesity.

Doctors recommend cutting down to appropriate portions of food. Under the 30%  formula, each plate of food is 30% non-starchy vegetables, 25% protein, 25% whole grains, and 20% fruit. Meals should include:

• Lean protein: Chicken, fish, turkey, lean red meat, etc.
• Non-starchy vegetables (best prepared by steaming): Broccoli, carrots, green beans, squash, etc.

These requirements are made since most of the patients who have elevated BMI also have fatty liver disease, which translates in excessing fat cells accumulating on the liver, which is located approximately to the stomach. Surgeons ask patients to lose some weight before surgery to shrink the liver, which decreases operating time and risk for injury.

Other reasons for following a pre-surgery diet include:

• Preserving and protecting muscle tissue
• Preparing the body for surgery and recovery
• Preparing the patient for a post-surgery diet

Other pre-surgery requirements

The surgeon may also request the following prior to bariatric surgery:

• Avoid alcohol
• Stop smoking
• Avoid binge-eating
• Stop certain over-the-counter medications and prescription medications