One main reason it is critical that you follow the pre-op diet is that it shrinks your liver before surgery.  The liver is lifted in order to surgically operate on the stomach, so following the pre-op diet significantly improves the safety of the operation as well as allowing better access to the surgeon. The liver size must be less than 25 cm for the surgeon to operate safely. Men have an average liver size of 10.5 cm while women have an average liver size of 7 cm.

Let’s face it; losing weight prior to surgery can benefit you for many reasons. The healthier you are going into surgery, the better. The more you change your behaviors prior to surgery, the more likely you will be able to continue healthier habits and keep weight off long-term. Remember, weight loss surgery is just a tool!

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