Most surgeons require weight-loss surgery patient’s to lose weight prior to having surgery. This sounds crazy, since people who choose to have weight-loss surgery do so because they haven’t been able to lose sufficient weight on their own. In fact, many surgeons will refuse to perform surgery on a person who has not lost weight prior to surgery. However, losing weight pre-operatively has many benefits for the patient including:

• Safer, lower risk surgery – when you lose even 10-20 pounds in a healthy manner prior to surgery, you shrink the fat deposits in your abdomen and liver, making your surgery safer and easier.
• Faster healing post-surgery – pre-op weight loss diets are high in protein, low  in fat and carbohydrate. Protein is a key nutrient involved in healing and recovery. Getting enough protein both before and after surgery is one of the most important things you can do to ensure a speedy recovery.
• Preparation for post-op way of life - your new way of eating following surgery will include daily intake of protein shakes and vitamins/minerals. It can be invaluable to test some shake recipes and get used to your new eating routine before coming home from surgery.

For pre-op weight loss, we use Metagenics BariatrX Essentials or UltraMeal medical food to replace breakfast and lunch meals. (For optimal use of products see Weight Loss Surgery 2 Week Pre-op Diet)

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