Low-Calorie Pre-Op Meal Plan

DESCRIPTION: A balanced meal plan for patients that need to lose weight prior to having their surgery. Some surgeons and doctors have special requirements for their Pre-Op diets so please consult with them before starting this or any plan. You can also contact our nutritionist team if you have any questions.

Follow this meal plan for as many weeks as required by your surgeon or nutritionist, followed by 1 to 3 weeks of the Liver-Shrinking Pre-Op Meal Plan. Please contact us if you have any questions.

AVERAGE NUTRITION FACTS PER DAY:

• Calories: 1,300
• Protein: 70 grams
• Carbs: 175 grams
• Fat: 35 grams

TIPS & GUIDELINES:

• Try to stick to drinking only water. Soda water (without sugar or artificial sweeteners) can also be a good option. Stay away from flavored soda water. Practice eating your meals without drinking any water, as this will be a rule of thumb for all meals after the surgery (since we want to fill our stomachs with food rather than water when we eat).
• You can replace the fruit in the snacks for any of the following: 1 cup of cantaloupe or honeydew melon, 1 cup of watermelon, 1 pear, 1 orange, or 1 cup papaya.
• Do not drink or eat things that are “fat-free” or “sugar-free.” This applies mostly to your allowed cheat meals since we do not include anything like that in your meal plan.
• If you must drink coffee then drink it black, without any milk or sugar. You may add a bit of unsweetened almond milk and stevia if desired.
• Try to not skip meals. It is important for your metabolism to get used to the new and healthy eating schedule. If you do, your energy levels may decrease slightly due to the lack of calories from the skipped meal or snack. This is something worth practicing too, since your diet after surgery will consist of 5-6 small meals per day.
• Do not use any oil unless specified in the recipes. For oils and spices, we highly recommend using the appropriate measuring spoons.
• Buy a food scale if you haven’t done so already. It is very important to use the exact measurements we provide on the meal plan. With time, you will become more familiar with how much things weigh, but for now, try to use it as much as possible. Our recipes give measurements in both volume/amount and in grams so you are able to weigh everything.

MEAL PREP:

We use meal preps mostly for grains so that you can cook all of these in advance for the week and save lots of time! For each week, we recommend you to cook the following in advance and store in the fridge:

• Brown rice, uncooked - 3/4 cup (135 grams)
• Quinoa, uncooked - 1 cup (180 grams)

You can prepare all these in a single day or as they show up in your recipes, and then cook everything for the week.

CHEAT MEALS:

• There should be no cheat meals during your Pre-Op diet. It is extremely important to follow instructions to the best of your abilities to get the best result possible.
• Ask your friends and family for their support and try to cook meals at home instead of eating out. When you do eat out opt for meals that are under 500 calories. Salads may be good options, but they can be loaded with fat and empty calories. Make sure to ask for salads with dressing on the side, and without the croutons and cheese. A helpful tip is to lightly dip your fork in the dressing before each bite of salad. Ask the waiter to prepare you simple meals like some baked chicken accompanied with a bit of rice and a lot of vegetables.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS:

• We recommend adding 1 daily multivitamin pill or gummy to your diet. Recommended brand: Centrum.
• Although multivitamin pills are usually harmless, you should always consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to see if they are right for you.

EXERCISE:

• We highly recommend avoiding intense level exercises during the pre-op diet as it may lead to increased hunger or decreased energy levels. The diet by itself will help you achieve your goals.
• It is important for you to stay active throughout the day, but not at intense levels. Instead, remain active in your daily activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, parking a little further when going to the grocery store, and taking walking breaks or stretching breaks every 90 minutes at work (if possible).