Pre Op Diet
Thanks Mandy - I am pretty peeved about it. There was me thinking she might call back on Monday, and purposely didn't go out in case she called (same yesterday) when she didn't even know I'd called. Now she's off today and won't be in until tomorrow
.
The booklet is just one that the hospital (Charring Cross) have put together. 'Diet for Gastric Bypass'.
I'll try and copy some of it here, so apologies if this gets a bit long:
Pre-Operative Diet for Bariatric Surgery
The aim of this diet is to reduce the glycogen stores in the body, especially those in the liver. This results in the liver 'shrinking' in size making it easier to move.
During laparascopic or 'keyhole' surgery, the liver has to be lifted out of the way to access the stomach lying beneath it. If the liver is heavy, fatty and immobile, it is harder for the surgeon to see and gain access to the stomach underneath.
To reduce the glycogen stores in the liver, it is necessary to follow a diet that is low in carbohydrate, low in fat and high in protein. Foods high in starchy carbohydrate include bread, rice, potato, pasta and cereals. You will loose weight by following this diet, but more importantly, your liver will shrink and can be moved more easily making the operation safer.
For the diet to be successful, it is important to stick to it for the full two weeks. There may be a temptation to have a special/larger meal prior to surgery, however, if you do this, this will reverse the liver reducing effects of the diet.
How long will I have to follow this diet?
It is recommended that you follow this diet for 2 weeks prior to your surgery only. It is not to be continued after the operation.
How much carbohydrate amd I allowed?
The diet is designed to give you approximately 100g of carbohydrate per day. It is low in fat (although the extent to which will depend on the foods chosen) and moderate in protein. The energy value of the diet is between 800 - 1000 kcal. The following sample menu plan shows you what a typical day's intake may include.
Breakfast (15g carbohydrate)
3tbsp of Brandflakes
or Fruit & Fibre
orCornflakes
OR 1 Shredded wheat
OR 1.5 Weetabix
OR 5tbsp of All Bran
OR 4tbsp of Rice Krispies
OR 25g of rolled oats
OR 1 slice medium sliced toast with scraping of margarine
Lunch (15 - 20g carbohydrate)
1 slice medium sliced breat/toast
OR 2 crispbreads
OR 0.5 bagel
OR 0.5 pitta bread
With:
2 Eggs
OR 60g / 2oz cheese (2 x matchbox size)
OR 8 thin packet slices of ham, chicken or turkey
OR small chicken breast without skin
OR 4 rashers of grilled back bacon
OR 100g/4oz (small portion) meat
OR 2 grilled sausages
OR 100g/4oz tinned fish
With vegetables/salad (no dressing)
Evening Meal (20g carbohydrate)
2 average old potatoes (boiled or mashed)
OR 4 egg sized new potatoes with skin
OR 2 small roast potatoes
OR 2 tbsp cooked rice (any variety)
OR 2 tbsp cooked pasta (any variety)
OR 40 strands of spaghetti (count when raw!)
With:
2 eggs
OR 60g/2oz cheese (2 x matchbox size)
OR 8thin packet slices of ham, chicken or turkey
OR 4 rashers grilled back bacon
OR 100g/4oz (small portion) meat
OR 100g/4oz tinned fish
OR 100g/4oz tofu or quorn
With vegetables/salda (no dressing).
Allowances throughout the day (40g carbohydrate)
1/3 pint/200ml milk for drinks & cereal
2 portions of fruit/2 x 100ml fruit juice
Unlimited water, tea, coffee, low calories squash, low calorie fizzy drinks
One small pot (125g) low fat, low sugar yoghurt per day (diet or 'lite' varieties).
It is important
not to eat less than the specified portions of carbohydrate as this can make you feel unwell. Other foods on the menu will provide you with protein and fat. The inclusion of these foods means that it should not be necessary for you to take any vitamin or mineral supplement.
Hope that helps anyone who wanted to know what it entails. I don't think I will find it too difficult - maybe just the breakfast, as out of that list I only eat Rice Krispies or toast, so will have either of them with a piece of fruit from the allowance.
I'll probably use my 1/3 pint of milk in tea but I like low calorie squash too, plus the yoghurt would be nice as a dessert after the evening meal and the other piece of fruit as a snack. If I feel hungry, then a low calorie fizzy drink does wonders for filling me up.
It looks rather boring to start with, but when you look at the evening meal, mashed potato with chicken breast and veg just looks like a normal dinner. I don't think it will be difficult at all.
Gerry
