​So you took the leap, congratulations! I know how brave you are to go ahead with this life changing surgery so well done! Your new life and constant sipping starts now.......

For the first little while after surgery, you will be asked to follow a fluid diet. Given all surgeon’s rooms are different, you’ll need to rely on your surgical team for the specific details. Today I have focused the blog on tips that might help make the journey smoother.
 
Why fluids? Along with allowing time for the surgical wounds to heal, the fluid diet allows you to learn about your new stomach, what and how much you can tolerate.
 
How much fluid and for how long? This depends on your surgeon’s rooms. Ask them how much they suggest you have and for how long you need to follow the diet.
 
What fluids? Something is a fluid if it runs out of the bottom of a strainer. Each surgeon’s rooms will have guidelines on specifically what you are to be drinking during this diet phase. The main 2 things to focus on during this stage is hydrate and protein!
 
Tips for Success!

1. Sip frequently
   1. Whilst awake constantly sip on the fluids you have been prescribed. You can’t play catch up!
2. Don’t fill up on water at the expense of protein
   1. Focus on fluids that are both hydrating and protein rich. Use water to just sip on between these other fluids. Ask your dietitian for a list of recommended fluids.
3. Track your fluid intake
   1. Grab a notebook/diary and write down the amounts you sip and make a daily tally. That way you can be working towards the targets set by your team.
   2. Utilise apps to record electronically if this suits you better
4. Use a visual reminder to sip, sip sip
   1. If forgetting to sip frequently, set s reoccurring reminder on your phone, kitchen timer or use a hydration reminder like an Ulla. Check out the great designs on our online shop!
5. Try a variety of fluids
   1. Your taste is likely to change so try a variety of fluids from the prescribed list, even if they are not fluids you would have liked in the past.
   2. You may be on the diet for a couple of weeks so keep the variety going so you don’t get bored.
6. Take your time
   1. Listen to your new stomach and stop when comfortable.
7. Flag problems/concerns early
   1. Communicate with your surgical team if you have any concerns so they can help you promptly. I am sure they will be only too happy to help. If not, there are bariatric dietitians in the community who can assist with your dietary care.
8. Prepare
   1. Spend the time leading up to your surgery getting yourself ready for the first few weeks after surgery. Stock your fridge, freezer and cupboard with the prescribed fluids. You won’t feel like hitting the shops straight after your surgery.

 
Our lovely team would be delighted to support you as you embark on your weight loss journey. We provide you with comprehensive pre and post op appointments and take pride in really looking after the people we care for. For more information, please feel free to reach out via our contact us page.

Your dietitian may ask you to do a pre-op diet in preparation for your surgery. The length of time and the type of diet (formulated products, diet or a combination of both) they ask you to do will vary between bariatric surgeons and dietitians. Ideally, the pre-op diet is suited to the person we are working with at the time. 

Despite the different approaches, the reason for a pre-op diet remains the same- reduce the size of your liver and the fat that is stored in your abdominal cavity. Both these make your surgery safer and can reduce your operation time, risk of complications and how long you stay in hospital. Who wouldn’t want that?!

Given I am not seeing you as a client if you are reading this blog, the best thing to take away is to be armed with some questions to ask your dietitian? 🙋

1. How long should I follow this diet for?
2. What are the different types of ways I could do a pre-op diet?
3. What other foods and condiments can I have?
   • This will add crunch (e.g. carrot, salad, cucumber), flavour (e.g. herbs and spices, soy sauce), enjoyment (e.g. flavoursome foods), fibre (e.g. veggies) and sometimes extra protein to your day making it much more tolerable! 
   • Nutrition for Weight Loss Surgery has a great cookbook with meal ideas for your pre-op stage.
4. What brands can I use if having the VLED/VLCD formulated products?
   • Yes, there is a difference between them!!!
   • Avoid products labelled as ‘Formulated meal replacements’ and protein shakes
   • Why not try a few of the suggested brands to keep things interesting
5. What if I don’t tolerate them?
6. Are there any side effects and how should I manage these?
7. If on medication for diabetes- how should I manage my medication and blood sugar levels?

Top Tips for Success on a pre-op diet 🔑

1. Enjoy crunchy foods on your allowed list!!! It will be some time before you get to crunch again. 🥕🥒
2. Focus on the foods you CAN eat instead of what not to eat.
3. When the going gets tough focus on the reasons you are doing the pre-op diet, giving your body a great nutritional boost and your long term goals.
4. Put the scales away! Better yet, take a sledgehammer to them ⚖️🔨
   1. Weight loss on the scales is not our focus and it can cause people to feel they are failing if not losing the same weight as others. Most people having surgery already feel like they have failed (which is untrue and for another blog) and we want to reduce these awful feelings instead of adding to them.
5. Drink plenty of water! 🚰
   1. Get ahead of the game and maximise hydration - this can be hard to achieve in the first few weeks after surgery
   2. Practice having fluids between meals as this is a must after surgery

Yes, it is hard. Yes, it is fairly tiresome after a few weeks but YOU’VE TOTALLY GOT THIS! You’ve come so far and taken some really brave steps towards a healthier you, this is just part of the puzzle. 🧩​

HO HO HO Merry Christmas. These words elicit so much joy for some and so much fear for others! The people I care for after weight loss surgery are one such group who can suffer the latter. With so many emotions tied into eating habits it’s not hard to see why, as Christmas approaches, I notice the anxiety levels of my clients starting to rise. Regardless of whether you are on a pre-op, fluid, puree, soft moist or normal diet, Christmas day meals can be enjoyed. Here are some tips to help you out.

FLUIDS BETWEEN MEALS- I’m not going to lie. THIS. IS. TRICKY. On arrival start with a non-alcoholic drink, SIP SIP SIP. By the time the meal is served 30mins is likely to have lapsed. Having your fluids on arrival will also make it easier to avoid filling up on non-nutritious, low protein snacks. To reduce the risk of drinking and eating at the same time, avoid taking a glass to the table and if one is already set for you, move it away from your place setting. When you’ve finished your meal, check in with the time and make a mental note to re-start fluids in 30mins time. Fluids to avoid include anything carbonated, fruit juice, mocktails and cocktails and do not drink with a straw. Again, plan ahead and take along a drink you can consume and focus on enjoying the social aspect of sharing a drink with others.
 
There are so many other elements we could cover off, but I hope this can help you out during this holiday and festive season. 
 
Remember, take a deep breath, you’ve got this!

Thanks for reading
Kate.

A little bit about me
I am an experienced bariatric dietitian and owner of Simply Nutrition Dietitians. I am privileged to be part of Dr James Askew’s weight loss surgery team based out of the Sunshine Coast. As a team, we pride ourselves on creating a safe space for our clients to speak and be heard. We walk alongside you throughout your weight loss journey and guide your post-op care through routine nutritional screens, regular follow-ups, psychology input, helping you to manage your diet throughout the journey and advising on suitable vitamin and mineral supplements. Once you join our team, we are friends for life!
 
I am passionate about:

• Taking the time to listen and understand what each person needs and wants
• Making sure every client understands the information I have provided
• Supporting clients to find the best plan for them
• Helping people to achieve their own goals for better health

Disclaimer: This information is intended as general advice for people who have or intend to under-go weight loss surgery. This information does not replace the individual advice provided by a client’s medical, surgical, psychology or dietetic health care team. If you are requiring individual advice from a dietitian (such as advice on textural upgrades, pathology or vitamin and mineral supplementation), please book in with a dietitian or reach out to us to book an in-person, phone or online consultation.