Our dietitians will assess you at our one-stop clinic and provide a nutritional plan. We take into account your eating history, medical conditions, weight and activity level, biochemical markers and any current vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
We advise you on diet before and after surgery, and this will be personalised to your situation and the surgery you are planning to have or have already had. We will also talk about realistic weight loss outcomes and make sure you have all the information you need to make a decision about surgery.
We will support you with diet, interpreting your blood tests and any changes to your bowels, taste, appetite or activity levels for two years after your surgery. It’s important to commit to regular follow-ups for your safety and to ensure you are getting everything you need to have the best outcome from bariatric surgery.
Meet the team
Samuel Pearce, Specialist Bariatric Dietitian
Frequently asked questions
Can I use meal replacements for a liver reduction diet?
The dietetic team do not usually encourage using meal replacements as often they are expensive, and are packaged and branded in a way that might not make them suitable. If you want to use these products please ask for advice on appropriate products for you.
What if I am a vegetarian/vegan?
Vegetarian and vegan diets are increasingly common and the dietetic team are used to advising patients in bariatrics and in general practice. It is very important to stick to advice on nutritional supplements to ensure you have adequate iron and vitamin B12 – among others – that are often found in animal products.
I’ve done some reading and I’m worried about hair loss/dumping syndrome/I won’t lose weight/other
We encourage you to do research before you come to clinic. Peer support can be very useful but it is important to think about where you are getting information from and whether it is a reliable source. For example, NHS and surgery-specific groups are a much better source of information than social media.
If you are particularly concerned about issues such as hair loss or dumping syndrome, please discuss with the team at your one-stop assessment clinic
How much weight should I expect to lose?
Everyone is different and many factors play a part in how much weight people will lose. Usually we can expect people to lose between 50-70% of their excess weight after surgery, depending on their ability to exercise and how much they commit to making dietary and behaviour changes.
I have heard different things about having carbonated drinks or alcohol after surgery, what is the advice?
We advise people not to have alcohol for at least 6 months post-surgery, preferably one year. Due to your changed anatomy, you can become intoxicated a lot more quickly and need to consider your safety. Carbonated drinks can cause bloating and discomfort and there is some evidence that they stretch anatomy in the long term and making your restriction from bariatric surgery reduced.
What can I do while waiting for my appointment for assessment?
The best thing to do while waiting for your appointment is to try and continue weight loss (or at the very least remain stable).
- Increase your activity and try to reduce portion sizes and snacking, if this applies to you.
- Look at the information on this web page and watch the video.
- When you are invited for a clinic appointment, attend a virtual education session and complete any questionnaires we send you promptly to avoid any delay.