Liver Shrinking Diet for Gastric Bypass Patients

The Liver Shrinking Diet For Gastric Bypass Patients

When it comes to having bariatric surgery, there are some things you must do pre-operation. Those who are about to have weight loss surgery will be asked to undertake a liver reduction diet, often referred to as THE LIVER SHRINKING DIET. This strict diet is essentially a low sugar, reduced-calorie diet that helps reduce the size of your liver before surgery.

Will following this pre-op diet be the most fun meal plan you’ve ever been on? Probably not. However, it’s an essential part of your surgery preparation to ensure that your Gastric Bypass surgery or bariatric surgery goes as planned. 

But why? 

The simple fact is the liver needs to shrink to give your surgeon more space to work during the weight loss surgery. Therefore, the smaller the liver at the time of bariatric surgery, the better. 

Before starting any diets that affect your liver you may want to ensure that your liver is functioning properly and it is in a healthy state. Instead of going the invasive route, you can do a simple and easy liver blood test, which will give you accurate results so you can rest assured that any pre-op diets will not do any damage. As a non-invasive test, the liver blood test can help you ascertain not only if you have a current liver condition but tell you your risk of developing fatty liver disease. 

Jump to:

• What Is a Liver Shrinking Diet?
• What to Eat on the Liver Shrinking Diet
• Lunch Menu Pre Gastric Bypass
• High Protein Snacks Pre Bariatric Surgery
• Liver Shrinking Diet Menu for Dinner
• FAQ Section

What Is a Liver Shrinking Diet?

Are you about to do the liver shrinking diet soon? If so you will probably be wondering how does the liver shrinking diet work and what you will need to eat during each meal. You may also want to know what you can and cannot drink. 

Depending on where you live and the advice of your bariatric team and dietician, the Liver Shrinking diet you are given to follow may be very different. No matter which plan you're given one thing is essential, it's super important to get the right amount of protein on this diet. 

Protein will help your body to heal following surgery and having good stores of protein before your operation is super important. You'll be on this diet for at least two weeks so having a good meal plan to follow is crucial.

So here is one example of the Liver Shrinking Diet which bariatric patients may follow. 

What to Eat on the Liver Shrinking Diet

We will begin with breakfast. 

Breakfast is always the most important meal of the day. When it comes to breakfast on a liver shrinking diet, you will be asked to consume a high protein meal replacement drink. This drink should have less than 200 calories, but will have at least 15 grams of protein. You also want to make sure this protein shake has less than 5 grams of sugar. There are a lot of high protein meal replacement drinks on the market. 

Alternatively you may be given a list of foods to eat, which include foods like eggs, fruit or a low calorie slice of toast. I'd avoid the carbs but depending on the plan you're given it's either a low calorie meal or drink. 

Lunch Menu Pre Gastric Bypass

Liver Shrinking diet sample menu

Let’s talk about lunch for a minute. When it comes to lunch, you will need something nutritious in you. You will be consuming another high protein replacement drink. However, you will also be consuming other types of food. For this meal, you get to choose a piece of fruit. This small piece of fruit will taste like a tiny slice of heaven for you.

Again, if you're not on replacement drinks, you'll be given a list of items to choose from that will make up a small low calorie meal, for example half a boiled potato, cottage cheese and a piece of fruit. 

High Protein Snacks Pre Bariatric Surgery

On any diet, it’s important to get your food in to keep your metabolism moving. A snack on the liver shrinking diet might be ow fat jerky, tuna, deli meat, string cheese, collage cheese or a light yogurt. Carrots or an apple is also welcomed! 

Liver Shrinking Diet Menu for Dinner

Dinner is a special time on the liver shrinking diet. This is where you get to eat a full meal. You can eat up to four ounces of lean meat. Also, you get to eat a full cup of raw uncooked veggies. You can also indulge in a little extra here with a slice of bread. If you choose not to do the bread, you can have 2 tablespoons of pasta, rice, or potatoes. 

What to Drink

When it comes down to a liver shrinking diet, water is always the best thing to consume. You should be drinking at least 64 ounces of liquids a day. It’s recommended that you drink between 8-12 ounces of liquid in between each meal. Liquids can also be sugar free or calorie free liquids. You will want to stay away from sugary sodas and juices. 

Conclusion

Keep in mind that you should talk to your bariatric team about the liver shrinking diet because you start the diet. This is just a basic guideline to follow, however, your healthcare provider will recommend the plan for you to follow.

Have you ever done this diet? What did you think?

FAQ Section

What Is the Liver Shrinking Diet?

The Liver Shrinking Diet is a diet which was created specifically for gastric bypass patients and has been gaining in popularity. The liver shrinking diet plan helps to make the post-op process easier by ensuring that there are minimal side effects of surgery, which can discomfort or embarrassing. In addition, this diet will help you lose weight more quickly, which is one of the main reasons people choose to go through gastric bypass surgery in the first place.

What Is the Purpose of the Liver Shrinking Diet?

The liver shrinking diet is designed to help shrink the size of your liver so you can have a more comfortable recovery. Since it takes about six weeks for your newly created stomach pouch and intestines to heal, the last thing that needs to be added into this equation are complications from scarring or inflammation of the liver because of surgery.

How Long Will I Have to Follow the Strict Diet?

It's a 2 week liver shrinking diet

Fortunately, you will only have to follow the liver shrinking diet for two weeks. This may seem like a long time, but it is really just enough time to help your liver shrink down to its pre-op size and minimize any side effects from surgery.

What Can I Eat on the Liver Shrinking Diet?

The main focus of the diet is on protein. You will need to make sure that you are getting plenty of high-quality, lean protein in order to help your liver heal properly. Some good sources of protein include chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes. In addition, you should avoid fatty foods and alcohol while you are on the diet as they can irritate your liver.

How to Shrink Liver Fast

If you're looking to shrink your liver fast , there are a few things you can do. First, cut out all alcohol and sugary drinks from your diet. These can contribute to fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver damage. Second, eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Finally, exercise regularly to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce fat in your body. With these simple steps, you should be able to shrink your liver in no time!

Can I Do a 7 Day Liver Shrinking Diet?

The short answer is yes, you can do a 7-day liver shrinking diet. This type of diet typically involves eating only certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and avoiding others, like processed or high-fat foods. It's important to stick to the recommended diet closely in order to see results, so be sure to consult with your doctor or a qualified nutritionist before starting your liver shrinking diet.

Additionally, it's important to stay well hydrated and get plenty of rest during this time in order to promote healing and facilitate weight loss. With a little determination and commitment, you should be able to see great results from your 7-day liver shrinking diet!

How to Shrink Your Liver in 24 Hours

It's important to remember that you cannot shrink your liver in 24 hours. However, there are things you can do to jumpstart the process. First, cut out all alcohol and sugary drinks from your diet. These can contribute to fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver damage. Second, eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Finally, try incorporating some detox teas or supplements into your routine to help cleanse your liver and promote overall health. With these simple steps, you can start to shrink your liver in just 24 hours!