Pre-bariatric surgery guidelines

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES BEFORE BARIATRIC SURGERY TYPICAL 3-4 WEEK PRE-OP SCHEME

Stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery it can decrease your complication rate by 50 percent. Avoid alcohol. Try to keep busy and active all day.

Before you travel abroad for any medical/surgical procedure, it is highly recommended that you have a European Health Insurance Card (E.H.I.C.). For the Irish application site, please see here; European Health Insurance Card

For more information about the E.H.I.C., see here.

3 weeks before surgery use caps. Omeprazole 20mg 2 times per day 30 minutes before a meal to help prevent ulcers.

Stop oral anticoagulants at least 5 days preoperatively, and please inform the surgeon if you take any anticoagulants. (Instead you may need to take low molecular weight heparins (LMWH))

You should always follow your surgeon’s recommended diet 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Most 2 weeks pre-op diets recommend:

 

Increase your protein consumption. Eat lean meats, fish, eggs, Greek yoghurt, Cottage Cheese.

Lower your carbohydrate consumption. Avoid breads, pasta, cereals, rice, etc.

Eliminate Sugars. Eliminate candy, desserts, juices, sodas, and alcohol.

The list below is a typical diet two weeks before gastric sleeve surgery:

 

Breakfast:

Protein Shake. Preferably choose a protein shake that is: high in protein (20 grams or more per serving) and low in sugar (< 5 grams) or Greek yogurt 150 ml.

Lunch:

One cup cooked vegetable or salad and lean protein (chicken, turkey of fish 90-150 grams) with 1 teaspoon olive oil.

Dinner:

Vegetables and lean protein

Snacks:

You can have a healthy, low carbohydrate snack in -between meals.

Fluids:

Stay hydrated. This will help curb your hunger.

You can typically drink anything sugar-free and low in calories.

Remember, it’s very important to stick to your two weeks pre-op diet. This shrinks your liver, decreases your risk of complications and makes the surgery quicker and easier for your surgeon.

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery

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