Bienvenido’s to Elias Ortiz and Company!
We welcome you into our circle of friends and family. We promise that we will help support you along every step of your journey.
How long do I need to do the pre-op diet for before surgery?
The following is a timeline based on your BMI, please speak with your coordinator to confirm your timeline.
BMI 30 – 32: 1 week
BMI 33 – 50: 2 weeks
BMI 51 – 60: 3 weeks
BMI 61 – 70: 5 weeks
BMI 70 AND HIGHER : 6 weeks
Why do I need to do the pre-op diet
Physically it helps to clean out the stored glycogen from the liver which helps to shrink and make the liver less inflamed. Mentally it will help you adjust to eating smaller portions, and eating a lean, green and clean diet. We understand that following any diet can be difficult at times and we allow for several “freebies” and unlimited portions of certain foods.
Guidelines and Dates
These are rough guidelines to follow, please confirm with your coordinator.
Two weeks before your surgery
If you are a smoker, you will need to stop! Continuing to smoke close to your surgery date and not following the doctor’s recommendations may increase post-surgery complications and slow down the healing process.
For help and ideas on how to stop smoking go to the Center for Disease Control
You are NOT allowed to use the E-Cigs, Vapes, but you can use the Nicorette Gum and patches but please stop gum and patches 24 hours before surgery.
Seven days before surgery
STOP ALL vitamins, supplements, fish oils, ginkoba, NSAIDS (non -steroidal anti-inflammatory) including Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Diclofenac, you must stop any aspirin and arthritis medications because they can interfere with the blood clotting process. For general aches and pains, headaches you can use Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol and prescription pain medications that are not NSAIDS.
Three days before surgery
Stop any statins or cholesterol and diabetes medications. Continue to check and monitor your blood glucose levels and treat accordingly. Please continue any heart, blood pressure, thyroid, anti-depressants, anxiety medications as directed. Take a good laxative, any brand that you chose, and it is ok to repeat the dose one time but remember that laxatives can take up to 24-48 hours to kick in!
Clear Liquid diet three days before surgery
Drink lots of clear liquids. This will include: apple, grape, cranberry no sugar added juices, (dilute the juices 60% juice/40% water) diet flavored waters, Mio, Crystal Lite, Zero Calorie Powerade, Gatorade Zero, SF Kool-Aid, any zero calories flavor enhancers, low sodium, low fat broths, teas, coffees, sugar free Jell-O’s and sugar free popsicles. You can drink up to three bottles of the clear protein enhanced water daily during the clear liquid diet phase. NO vitamin waters!
Travel Day:/ One Day Before Surgery
Continue with the clear liquid diet as directed. Unless you are a “same day surgery person” Eight hours (8) before surgery nothing by mouth. You can take any blood pressure, heart, thyroid, anti-depressants, anxiety medications the morning of surgery with a small sip of water. No pain medications at this point.
PRE-OP DIET
- two to three protein shakes (see below), 6 oz. of a lean protein for females
- 8 oz lean proteins for males
- big green salads
- non-starchy vegetables
- sugar free Jell-O’s
- sugar free popsicles
- broths
- zero calories waters teas, coffee. You can mix and match and have these things any time of the day!
Protein Shakes
Up to 3 per day: You can make homemade shakes with lite soy, lite rice, lite almond, lite cashew milks etc. The protein shakes should not be more than 250 calories total, at least 15 grams of proteins, and the carbohydrates must not be more than half that of the number of grams of proteins. There are literally 100 brands that meet the doctor’s recommendations. Including: Atkins, Premier Protein, Clean Protein by Orgain, Vega Plant based, Slim Fast, Walmart Generic Protein shakes, GNC Lean Shakes, Fit, Quest, 310 protein shakes, Inspire etc.
Lean Proteins
6 oz. for females, 8 oz. for males, 2 eggs are equal 3 oz. of a lean protein. Only baked, boiled, roasted, grilled, nothing fried. Chicken, turkey, white fish, salmon 2 times per week, tofu, shrimp, scallops, crab, eggs, Egg Beaters.
Non-starchy veggies and salad
UNLIMITED! Baked, boiled, roasted, grilled, nothing fried. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, green onions, white or yellow onions, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, radishes, spinaches, ALL lettuces, alfalfa sprouts, turnip, collard, mustard greens, cabbage, asparagus, turnips, leeks, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, spaghetti squash.
Salad Dressing
Use only super low fat or even zero calorie. Walmart has Simple Girl, Skinny Girl, Saucy Lips, and Walden Farms and they literally have maybe three calories in them. Watch some of the fat free dressing because they can have a lot of calories!
Seasons & Zero Calorie Sweeteners
You can use all the dry seasonings that you like and any zero calorie artificial sweeteners, Stevia, Sweet N Low, Splenda.
