Patients are asked to lose weight prior to weight loss surgery to help mitigate some of the risks associated with surgery. Patients often state that if they could lose weight they wouldn’t be here! Losing weight is usually not the issue; keeping the weight off is the extremely difficult part. By losing weight pre operatively and by being in better physical condition, the patient can affect, to a degree, the outcome of the operation. Generally speaking, patients are asked to lose the following:

• 5 percent of their total weight if you have a BMI between 40-50
• 10 percent of if their total weight if you have a BMI between 50-60
• the greater of 10 percent of their weight or enough to be at a BMI less than 60 if their BMI is over 60
  
   

Before deciding to go through bariatric surgery you must be willing and able to commit to the change in diet and lifestyle necessary to be successful following an operation. This is a life-changing decision and should be seriously and sincerely considered and researched.

This pre op weight loss is accomplished through dieting and exercise. The Dietitians and Exercise Physiologist will develop a customized plan for you to help you lose this weight and improve your phyiscal condition in preparation for surgery.

We have a “Quick Start” program to help you get started on your preop weight loss: This diet is safe for almost everybody – even people with diabetes or heart disease. It is a six meals/day program with 4 supplements (bars, shakes, soups) and 2 simple meals. Don’t cut corners and think that 2 supplements and 1 meal must be better – that line of thinking produces hunger, and subsequent weight loss failure.

Some activities to practice in preparation for post op diet:

• Use salad plate or saucer
• take very small bites
• chew thoroughly
• don’t drink for one hour after eating
• no drinking with meals
• no carbonated beverages
• no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes
  
  Oklahoma & South Kansas Support Group Resources(1).pdf

Pre-Op Instructions