Pre-Operative Diet

Pre-Op diets are determined on an individual basis in consultation with the patient and their dietitian.

However, this sample diet gives a good idea what you might expect to prepare your body for weight loss surgery. The diet is designed to reduce the size of the patient’s liver prior to surgery.

Sample pre-operative liver reduction diet

Each day you must choose one of the following diet plan options for that day:

Option 1: liquid diet: 

  • 4 cans Weight Watchers or other low calorie soups
  • 4 Sainsbury “Be Good to Yourself” yoghurts (200g) or other low fat low sugar varieties
  • 200ml semi skimmed milk for hot drinks

Option 2: liquid diet:

  • Five pints of semi-skimmed milk only

Option 3: liquid diet:

  • Four Muller light yoghurts (200g) or other low fat low sugar varieties
  • Two pints (1140ml) semi-skimmed milk

Option 4: low fat and carbohydrate diet:

Breakfast:

  • Small bowl of cereal (45g maximum), no added sugar
  • OR 1 slice of toast with a scraping of low fat spread
Lunch:
  • 1 slice bread or 2 crisp breads, no spreads
  • 1 Small portion of cooked lean meat or fish 50g, or
  • 1 Small portion cheese 30g, or 2 eggs (not fried)
  • 1 Green salad (no dressing) or tomatoes
Dinner:
  • 1 Small portion of cooked lean meat or fish 50g, or
  • 1 Small portion low fat cheese 30g, or
  • 2 eggs, or Tofu or Quorn based dish
  • 1 small potato or 2 tablespoonfuls pasta or rice or 1 slice of bread
  • Vegetables: as many as you like except for root vegetables, see the list below.
Daily allowance:
  • 1/3 pint milk (200ml) for use in drinks and on cereal
  • 2 portions of fruit only (e.g. apple, orange, banana, pear)
  • 1 low fat, low sugar yogurt or fromage frais

Note, this diet is indicative of what to expect. Patients should not embark upon these specialised diets without prior consultation with a dietitian.