The Liver Shrinking Diet For Gastric Bypass Patients
When it comes to having bariatric surgery, there are some things you must do pre-operation. Those who are about to have weight loss surgery will be asked to undertake a liver reduction diet often referred to as THE LIVER SHRINKING DIET. This diet is essentially a low sugar, reduced calorie diet that helps reduce the size of your liver before surgery.
Will following this pre-op diet be the most fun meal plan you’ve ever been on? Probably not. However, it’s an essential part of your surgery preparation to ensure that your Gastric Bypass or bariatric surgery goes as planned.
But why?
The simple fact is the liver needs to shrink to give your surgeon more space to work during the weight loss surgery, therefore the smaller the liver at the time of bariatric surgery the better.
What Is A Liver Shrinking Diet?
Are you about to do the liver shrinking diet soon? If so you will probably be wondering how does the liver shrinking diet work and what you will need to eat during each meal. You may also want to know what you can and cannot drink.
Depending on where you live and the advice of your bariatric team and dietician, the Liver Shrinking diet you are given to follow may be very different. No matter which plan you’re given one thing is essential, it’s super important to get the right amount of protein on this diet.
Protein will help your body to heal following surgery and having good stores of protein before your operation is super important. You’ll be on this diet for at least two weeks so having a good meal plan to follow is crucial.
So here is one example of the Liver Shrinking Diet which bariatric patients may follow.
What to Eat on the Liver Shrinking Diet
We will begin with breakfast.
Breakfast is always the most important meal of the day. When it comes to breakfast on a liver shrinking diet, you will be asked to consume a high protein meal replacement drink. This drink should have less than 200 calories, but will have at least 15 grams of protein. You also want to make sure this protein shake has less than 5 grams of sugar. There are a lot of high protein meal replacement drinks on the market.
Alternatively you may be given a list of foods to eat, which include foods like eggs, fruit or a low calorie slice of toast. I’d avoid the carbs but depending on the plan you’re given it’s either a low calorie meal or drink.
Lunch Menu Pre Gastric Bypass
Let’s talk about lunch for a minute. When it comes to lunch, you will need something nutritious in you. You will be consuming another high protein replacement drink. However, you will also be consuming other types of food. For this meal, you get to choose a piece of fruit. This small piece of fruit will taste like a tiny slice of heaven for you.
Again, if you’re not on replacement drinks, you’ll be given a list of items to choose from that will make up a small low calorie meal, for example half a boiled potato, cottage cheese and a piece of fruit.
High Protein Snacks Pre Bariatric Surgery
On any diet, it’s important to get your food in to keep your metabolism moving. A snack on the liver shrinking diet might be ow fat jerky, tuna, deli meat, string cheese, collage cheese or a light yogurt. Carrots or an apple is also welcomed!
Liver Shrinking Diet Menu For Dinner
Dinner is a special time on the liver shrinking diet. This is where you get to eat a full meal. You can eat up to four ounces of lean meat. Also, you get to eat a full cup of raw uncooked veggies. You can also indulge in a little extra here with a slice of bread. If you choose not to do the bread, you can have 2 tablespoons of pasta, rice, or potatoes.
What to Drink
When it comes down to a liver shrinking diet, water is always the best thing to consume. You should be drinking at least 64 ounces of liquids a day. It’s recommended that you drink between 8-12 ounces of liquid in between each meal. Liquids can also be sugar free or calorie free liquids. You will want to stay away from sugary sodas and juices.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that you should talk to your bariatric team about the liver shrinking diet because you start the diet. This is just a basic guideline to follow, however, your healthcare provider will recommend the plan for you to follow.
Have you ever done this diet? What did you think?
If you’re about to start good luck.
Busy now? Why not pin this post for future reference!
Wishing you the best of luck with the diet and surgery!
Thanks Kim. I’m hoping it all goes well.
Best of luck with it Angela, it sounds like you are positive about it all 🙂
Gemma xxx
I can do it! lol Today i had a slice of chicken and it tasted so so good! Lol
Wishing you the very best of luck with everything x
thanks Amiee. small steps lead to big things.
Keep up the good work with this diet Ang. And, best of luck to you for the surgery! I hope it all goes smoothly & you get the results you are hoping for x
Thanks. I am looking forward to writing about it and vlogging each day. I enjoy vlogging although I’m not fab at editing or anything and i’ve found something i enjoy much better than photography. 🙂
This sounds like a good, healthy diet. I think if it was long term, you would need a lot more fruit and vegetables, but short term it looks quite good. Good luck with your surgery Angela, I hope all goes well. Looking forward to reading about your progress!
Debbie
Thanks Debbie. So excited about my journey starting.
Best of luck!! How brave of you going for the surgery xx
Thanks. i hope it all goes well.
Wow, I didn’t know about your surgery, I hope it all goes well for you! The diet doesn’t sound too bad, good luck with it x
Thanks Lauren. I have only just announced it but yes it should be a great thing. Thanks for wishing me luck. Angela
Gosh I had no idea that you had to prepare for surgery in this way! Wishing you all the best for the surgery and I completely admire your desire to make this year a healthier one!
Thanks so much. It is an interesting method isn’t it. I’m sticking to it and hopefully this info will be useful for others who may need to look into this option.
Good luck with your surgery. You’re very brave and it’s commendable that you’re doing this to improve your heath. I never knew you could shrink your liver!
Thanks Fi. Fingers crossed!
Best of luck with everything Angela. The decision to get any surgery can never be taken lightly so I know this is probably a tough time of you. I hope all is and all goes well xx
Thanks Zoe. I am on day four and its getting hard and i’m getting ratty.
Good luck with it. I think I’d find the not drinking with meals hard, but I presume this bloats which is why it shouldn’t be done with this?
It is hard and something I will have to get used to!
I don’t know you Angela but I just want to wish you the very best of luck with your operation xx
THANKS Joanne. 🙂
Best of luck Angela, well done on the diet and I hope all goes well. I also think it’s interesting to find out what is involved in the surgery too. I didn’t know you had to do a liver shrinking diet beforehand for instance.
Thanks Laura. Yes, it is really hard too and I’m finding it difficult but I only ave 10 days to go. 🙂
I never knew there was so much prep you have to do before such an operation. Wishing you all the best with it 🙂
Thanks Ellen. I knew about it after watching a tv series but did not know how hard it would be. Angela
I am currently on the 2 wk liver shrink diet but they have me on protein shakes 2 times a day and super small dinner at night, with no sugar and starch. How much have u lost since surgery and how hard is this life change?
Oh I found the Liver Shrinking diet tough especially as my op was cancelled three times and so it ended up taking 8 weeks. The truth is it is really hard and the most difficult thing i’ve done in my life. It is life changing, painful and mentally and emotionally draining. I guess the benefits outweigh the risks and difficulties. I have lost since my operation 3 stone in 3 months. It is tough especially when you can no longer eat as you once did and some lose more some lose less but I’m on steroids and unwell to exercise so its different for everyone regarding weight loss.