Pre-Surgery Diet: Why do I need to do this prior to surgery?

One common question we get at Adelaide Bariatric Centre is, “I’m having surgery to lose weight, why should I have to lose weight beforehand?”

While your surgery is designed to achieve weight loss, for most people it is important to lose weight prior to surgery. This is important for many reasons, but the main reason is to shrink your liver. Why is this important?

1. If your liver is too large, it can obstruct your surgeon’s view of your stomach. If you can shrink your liver prior to surgery you reduce your risk of injury to surrounding organs.
2. A smaller liver makes it easier to work with laparoscopic tools, allowing for more precise movements. This can make the procedure quicker, reducing the time you are under anesthesia.
3. Patients with a smaller, less fatty liver tend to experience fewer complications, both during surgery and in recovery. This reduces the risk of bleeding, inflammation, and postsurgical complications.
4. Preoperative liver shrinkage usually involves following a high-protein, low-carb diet that also helps patients lose some initial weight, which is beneficial for postoperative recovery and long-term success.

If you decide to proceed with weight loss surgery, our team of doctors, dietitians and lifestyle coaches are here to help guide you through the process. We want to see you succeed and will work with you to achieve the best outcome.