Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) is the most effective intervention for severe obesity. The ketogenic diet has an important role both before and after these procedures.
Many bariatric surgeons recommend a high-protein, low-carb pre-operative diet for 2–6 weeks before surgery to reduce liver size. A large fatty liver makes laparoscopic surgery technically more difficult — keto’s rapid effect on liver fat reduction is directly clinically useful.
After bariatric surgery, patients have a dramatically reduced stomach capacity. High-protein, low-carb eating maximises nutritional density within this limited volume — avoiding the caloric waste of high-carb, low-nutrient foods.
Dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying causing nausea, sweating, and diarrhoea) is triggered by simple sugars and refined carbohydrates. Keto’s elimination of these foods naturally prevents dumping syndrome.
Protein-rich, easily digestible keto meals are essential post-surgery. Our keto main dishes and keto beverages — particularly protein shakes and bone broth — provide excellent post-surgical nutrition.