Your Liver reduction Diet
Q: Why do I need to follow a pre-operative diet?
Before surgery, it is essential you follow a strict calorie controlled diet. It is vitally
important that for two weeks before your surgery (or three – you will be told how long
by your surgeon) you follow a very restricted diet that is low in fat, sugar and
carbohydrates. This will reduce the size of your liver and minimise the risk of
complications associated with surgery. It will also ensure the operation can be done
by keyhole/laparoscopic surgery. If your liver is too big your operation will be
abandoned as it will not be safe to proceed with the liver in the way.
By following a strict diet, your body reduces its glycogen stores (glycogen is a form
of sugar stored in the liver and muscles). When you follow a very strict diet
especially one that is low in carbohydrates, your body loses its glycogen stores and
some water, which in turn shrinks the liver. Surprisingly the liver can replace its
stores very quickly, so it is important that you follow the diet strictly. A single
carbohydrate-rich meal shortly before your operation can undo all your good
efforts and lead to difficulties during surgery.
This diet is not optional and only recommended prior to your operation. Much of the
weight lost on this diet is water. As a result you may become dehydrated so you
need to drink more often than usual.
In addition to the diet remember to, avoid alcohol, stop smoking, and keep active e.g.
walking 1-3 miles a day or swimming. Even gardening is an excellent exercise.
Q: What if I am a Diabetic?
If you have diabetes and are treated with insulin or tablets (e.g. gliclazide,
glibenclamide, tolbutamide) you may need to adjust your medication. Check your
blood sugar levels more regularly to make sure that you do not experience ‘hypos’
If your diabetes is controlled by diet alone, you will not need to worry about your
blood sugars becoming too low.
Please contact the hospital Diabetes Centre on Plymouth 01752 792963, who will be
able to advise you about your medication.
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Q: What does the pre-operative diet involve?
Each day you must choose ONE and ONLY ONE of the following options for that
day
Option 1. A Liquid diet



4 cans of Weight Watchers or other low calorie soups
and
4 Sainsbury’s ‘Be Good to Yourself’ yoghurts (200g) or other low fat, low
sugar varieties
and
200mls semi-skimmed milk for hot drinks

Take a multivitamin and mineral tablet every day.
Option 2. A Slimfast diet

4 Slimfast drinks (4 x 36.5g each made with 250mls skimmed milk) – not
ready-made shakes, snacks or meal bars
and


1/3 pint skimmed or semi-skimmed milk for additional drinks
Take a multivitamin and mineral tablet every day.
Option 3. A Low fat carbohydrate diet

This diet plan consists of set quantities of foods from 5 different food groups.
This will provide you with a varied and balanced low calorie diet of between
800-1000 kcal per day.
 Take a multivitamin and mineral tablet every day.
Carbohydrate Food Allowance (you are allowed 3 carbohydrate portions per
day)
1 Portion
1 Portion
 1 medium slice of bread or toast with
 2 egg-sized old potatoes
a scraping of margarine
(boiled or mashed) or 3 new
potatoes with skin
 5 tablespoons of All-bran
 2 tablespoons boiled rice
 1 ½ Weetabix
 3 tablespoons boiled pasta
 1 Shredded wheat
 2 Rich tea biscuits
 3 tablespoons Bran flakes or Fruit and
 1 Digestive biscuit
Fibre or Cornflakes
 3 tablespoons dry Porridge oats
 ½ bagel
 4 tablespoons Rice Krispies
 2 small oat cakes
 1 crumpet
 ½ pitta bread or 1 small pitta
 2 crisp breads
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Protein Food Allowances (you are allowed 2 protein portions per day)
1 Portion
1 Portion
 100g (4oz) very lean cooked meat
 2 medium eggs, poached,
boiled or scrambled (limit to 6
per week)
 55g/2oz very low fat soft cheese
 1 small chicken breast (no
spread
skin)
 100g (4oz) cooked white fish or tinned
 4 tablespoons of cooked peas,
tuna (in brine or spring water)
lentils, beans (including baked
beans), kidney beans etc.
 55g/2oz low fat cheese
 40g (4oz) Tofu or Quorn
 100g (4oz) low fat cottage cheese
Fruit Allowance (you are allowed 2 fruit portions per day)
1 Portion
1 Portion
 1 medium size piece of fresh fruit e.g.
 3 tablespoons of stewed or
apple
tinned fruit (no added sugar)
 2 small pieces of fruit (e.g. plum,
 1 small glass fruit juice
Satsuma
(150mls)
 150g (5oz) strawberries
 1 heaped tablespoon of dried
fruit
 1 handful of grapes
Vegetable Food Allowance (you are allowed 3-5 vegetable portions per day)
1 Portion
1 Portion
Use a wide variety of raw and cooked
 3 heaped tablespoons cooked
vegetables and salads, e.g.
vegetables
aubergine, beetroot, broccoli,
 1 side salad (size of cereal bowl)
cabbage, celery, spinach, courgette,
 1 tomato or 7 cherry tomatoes
cucumber, fennel, leeks, lettuce,
 1 glass (200ml) tomato or vegetable
mushrooms, watercress, cress,
juice
peppers, radish, spring onions,
swede, tomatoes (tinned or fresh)
Milk Food Allowance (you are allowed 2 milk portions per day)
1 Portion
1 Portion
 200mls (1/3 pint) semi or skimmed
 See also cottage cheese and
milk for cereal and drinks
soft cheese in Protein Food
Allowance
 1 small pot of diet or light yoghurt
Any of the spices/condiments listed below can be used to add flavour:
Salt, pepper, fresh or dried herbs, spices, mustard, curry powder, lemon/lime
juice, yeast extract, fish sauce, soy sauce, Worcester sauce, OXO, or other
stock cubes, vanilla and other essences.
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Sample Menu
The following sample menu demonstrates what a typical day may include and how
many portions of different food groups you can eat.
BREAKFAST
1 Carbohydrate
3 tablespoons of cereal with milk from
daily allowance or 1 slice of toast with a
scraping of low fat spread and marmite
Or jam.
MID MORNING
1x fruit
LUNCH
1x protein
1x Carbohydrate
1 apple
100g (4oz) lean ham with large mixed
salad
2 ‘egg size’ potatoes
MID AFTERNOON
1x milk
1 diet yogurt
EVENING MEAL
1x protein
2 x veg
100g (4oz) roast chicken (no skin)
Selection of vegetables
1x Carbohydrate
2 heaped tablespoons boiled rice
EVENING
1x fruit
UGI liver diet review September 2016
150g (5oz) strawberries or 2 small plums
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Q How much fluid can I have in total for all options?



The remainder of the milk allowance. Plus calorie free drinks to make up at
least 2 litres of fluid.
Spread drinks and food evenly throughout the day. Do not save everything for
later in the day.
Drink at least 2 litres of fluid every day and drink more in hot weather. This
includes all fluids, beverages, milk, juice, squash. Remember to count these
as part of your total daily calorie intake.
Q Who do I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, or need any further information please
contact Sally Sleeman Bariatric Specialist Nurse .
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