What is the Pre Op Diet for Lap Band Surgery?

Whether a person is getting a lap band surgery at their local hospital or traveling to Mexico for a lower cost procedure, there are dietary restrictions that need to be followed prior to surgery.

The pre op diet for the lap band surgery, which begins about two weeks before surgery, is designed to accomplish several things.  First, it is intended to help reduce the amount of fat that surrounds the stomach and liver.

Reducing this fat helps to limit bleeding during the procedure.   Next, it helps to reduce liver size.  If the liver is too large, the procedure may not be able to be performed.  Lastly, it is designed to increase the amount of protein consumed, which allows the muscles to better handle the surgery.

The diet itself is limits the amount of high calorie carbohydrate and sugary foods that can be eaten.  This includes pasta, deep fried foods like french fries, butter and other high fat items, soda and alcohol.

Foods that are encouraged are yogurt, oatmeal, green vegetables and eggs.  It is also standard for the pro op diet for lap band surgery to include a protein supplement powder that can be mixed into a drink form, such as Myocel.