What to eat and what to take in the 4 weeks before and after body contouring surgery after weight loss.
After significant weight loss, whether through bariatric surgery, weight loss medications, dietary change or a combination, the body is often low in key nutrients: protein, vitamin D, zinc, B vitamins and iron. Poor nutritional status going into an operation increases the risk of slow wound healing, wound breakdown and infection, and most of these gaps can be identified and corrected beforehand. This 12-page checklist sets out what I ask my post-weight-loss patients to eat and take, starting around 4 weeks before surgery and continuing for at least 4 weeks after. It is not about dieting or losing more weight. It is general information. It does not replace blood tests or advice from your own doctor, and it does not decide whether surgery suits you. That is decided at consultation, after a GP referral.
What is inside
- What to eat: protein at every meal, and the foods that supply folate, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A and B vitamins
- What to reduce or avoid: alcohol, ultra-processed foods, very low calorie dieting and low-quality protein supplements
- Your daily protein target, worked out from your body weight, and where a whey protein isolate (WPI) supplement fits
- The 5 core supplements: whey protein isolate, a complete multivitamin, vitamin D3 with vitamin K2, vitamin C and zinc, each with its dose, timing and what to look for on the label
- Before you start: the medications and conditions to check with your GP or pharmacist first
- A supplement timing table, the final week before surgery, and a 1-page tick list you can print
The checklist is emailed, usually within a few minutes. Check junk if not received. A member of my team may call to confirm it arrived and answer questions about the consultation process. Occasional educational emails follow. Unsubscribe at any time. By requesting the checklist you confirm you are 18 or over. See our privacy policy.
Good nutrition lowers some surgical risks. It does not remove them, and results vary between patients. Before deciding on surgery, read my overview of lower torso surgery after significant weight loss, including the risks and recovery.