Conquering the Sleeve Gastrectomy Pre-Op Diet

Ask any Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Sleeve surgery post-op patient what the most difficult part of the surgery was and 9 times out of 10, they will say, the pre-op diet. This notorious 1-2 week diet is a very strict regimen that obesity surgery patients should follow for best results during and after their operation. Why, you ask? The goals for a pre-operative Gastric Sleeve surgery diet are straightforward: First, it is designed to reduce body fat. This loss of body fat, especially in the abdomen, reduces the amount of fat around your internal organs. The second is to reduce the size of the liver. Both of these outcomes reduce the operative risks for the minimally invasive gastric sleeve surgery.

Dr. Kahlil Shillingford has been treating obesity in patients in the South Florida area for nearly a decade. He has had the opportunity to work with men and women from Orlando, Fort Laurderdale, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Aventura, and Miami, just to name a few. His bariatric patients can expect a pre-op diet that features a low-carbohydrate and high-protein daily intake. This is effective because when the body is deprived of carbohydrates, it starts using its glycogen (stored as fat) for energy. The result is rapid weight and water loss that is safe when done for a short period of time under the care of a physician. Patients typically consume between 70 – 120 g of protein a day via protein drinks. A variety of protein shake options exist and you should experiment until you find one that works for you.

Another little known natural source of protein that is appropriate in a sleeve gastrectomy pre and post-op diets is Plain Greek yogurt. Greek Yogurt is a higher protein alternative to traditional yogurt (15 grams of protein in a 6 oz serving compared to only 5 grams in regular yogurt). It is thicker and creamier than regular plain yogurt, and is less sweet and more tangy. This protein gem is usually found in the dairy aisle of your usual grocery store, near the regular yogurt and several brands are available. Its flavor and consistency also make it a versatile ingredient in a number of recipes for post-op patients.

Dr. Kahlil Shillingford is a board certified surgeon who specializes in bariatric or weight loss surgery including the Sleeve Gastrectomy (Gastric Sleeve), Gastric Bypass, and Lap-Band procedures. His patients come from across the state of Florida including Orlando, Fort Laurderdale, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Aventura, and Miami. To learn more about Dr. Shillingford’s integrative weight loss surgeries and all-inclusive fees please call his office in Boca Raton, Florida at (561) 483-8840.