What should the composition of a pre op diet be?

I'm in the same boat. Before I start the process of having weight loss surgery, I have changed my diet, eating habits and added exercise. All of these have helped me to lose 38 pounds since January 2024 = 5 months. Granted I'm also on meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and menopause (hormone replacement therapy - HRT). I'm using the FREE "Carb Manager" app to keep track of my macros = carbs + protein + fat + calories. When you start the app, it asks your current weight and height plus what level you want to achieve (lose weight or maintain or gain muscle). I choose the "lose weight" level. The app gave me daily macros of 67 g net carbs + 135 g protein + 60 g fat + 1350 calories. That's 20% carbs + 40% protein + 40% fat. I enter a food and it shows me the macros. I keep track of everything I eat and the amount I eat. I really enjoy this type of tracking. I use it on my phone, but you can also use a computer. Hope this helps you!

@huskycart2126

Welcome to Mayo Connect, many people in this group have been where you are now just starting out.

Your doing first step, starting to track what your eating. I think setting a goal and recording grams of protein, carbs and fat would be best. But I hope others give their advice. I am 10+ years out since I took the pre-op requirements, lot of guidelines have changed. I did have to show I could follow the program and lose weight prior to surgery. Different programs and providers have different requirements.

Protein will become very important post op, so concentrate on that, but can not ignore others.

Are you using an app to record your food intake or food journal? It does not matter, it just has to be something you will use and continue to use.

Often, the team you are seeing for surgery will give recommendations for the type of diet to follow pre surgery as well as after.
I am in Canada and we are not required to follow a long period of dieting pre surgery but are encouraged to start exercising. Simple things like walking or more if we are capable, or adapted exercises if disabled. They also ask us to check out protein bars and shakes that we can use post surgery for snacks when we don't have time or the urge to prepare something well balanced to eat. We do follow a diet for 2 to 4 weeks pre surgery, depending on the person and their surgeon. This diet is 5 liquid Boost drinks a day plus a list of vegetables that are permitted. No carby veggies like potatoes. I was on it 2 weeks prior to surgery and lost 12 or 13 pounds in those 2 weeks. It is supposed to help shrink your liver prior to surgery to make the surgery easier.
As for protein requirements, the dietician on your team will help you calculate your needs for the day so you don't lose muscle mass.
We are advised to eat protein first, vegetables second, and carbs last after surgery. Just in case you can't finish your meal, the protein is always consumed. I wish I could give you more guidance but it really depends on your team's philosophy. If they just told you to go home and lose weight on your own without giving you a specific diet, I would prioritize protein. But if you are diabetic, you must be careful your glucose levels don't become too low. The doctor can lower your medication if needed.

Thank you that is a huge help. I have struggled to get the ratio of protein to fats to carbs correct without a calculator or app. I wasn't really sure until now about the 40/40/20 formula. Thank you so much.

Thank you. So far, it has been, track you food and prioritize protein. Bu I know enough to know that eating protein means fats will be involved. And eating bars and shakes mean carbs and fats will be involved. I've really struggled with getting the ratios right because I didn't know what to shoot for. Your information really helps. Thank you 😊

My team really wanted to make sure I got enough protein. They don't ask me to count fat grams or carbs. But my portions post surgery are so limited that it automatically keeps those 2 numbers low. Meat is only 2-3 oz and it is supposed to be lean meat - if poultry, skin off. Carbs is only 1/4 cup potato, rice or pasta. Or one slice bread. Here they recommend eating 3 meals per day and 2-3 snacks per day. If you would like my post surgery diet, I could write out the basics for you. But remember that it is followed by people after surgery so it may be very difficult to follow for a prolonged period pre surgery.