If you are planning on undergoing bariatric surgery in Fairfield County, it might be tempting to eat everything you will not be able to eat after your surgery, but it is not recommended. A diet high in fat and calories can actually cause your surgery to be cancelled or have major complications, making recovery more difficult. Most doctors recommend you start your healthy eating habits a few weeks before you actually undergo the surgery. This is done to prepare your mind and body for the transition your body is about to take after undergoing bariatric surgery.
The Role of the Diet Before Bariatric Surgery
When you eat a large amount of fat, it affects your liver, causing it to become larger. Because the liver is near the stomach, if it is too large, it can interfere with your bariatric surgery. Adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan a few weeks before your surgery will decrease the amount of fat in your liver, making surgery more successful. When you consume too much fat, it can also cause your abdomen to be larger; this could cause your planned laparoscopic surgery to turn into an open surgery with more risks and complications.
As an added benefit, patients who have a lower amount of fat around their stomach and liver experience fewer complications from the surgery and consequential recovery. The length of the surgery is decreased, and patients can bounce back much easier.
When you eat healthier foods, you increase the protein intake in your body. This will help your muscle tissue handle the surgery better and help you recover faster without causing complications and long recovery times. Many doctors request patients drink low-calorie protein shakes during the days leading up to their surgery to help the surgery be the most successful.
Individualized Diet Plan
Each doctor will have his own plan that is specific to each patient. In general, a low-fat, low calorie diet is recommended. All sugars, fats and carbohydrates should be removed from the diet starting a few weeks to a few days before the surgery. All social activities, such as smoking and drinking, should be stopped as well.
Adopting the proper pre-surgery diet before your bariatric surgery in Fairfield County will not only help your body handle the surgery and recovery well, it will also help your body and mind prepare for the post-surgery diet. Rather than shocking your body into a new routine, you can ease your body into it for the best results.
For more information on bariatric surgery in Fairfield County, consult with the experts at Elmer Valin General, Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery by visiting them online or by calling them at 203-867-5508.
