How to Lose Weight Before Heart Surgery

For people who are about to undergo heart surgery, one of the many preparations that doctors require from their patients is to lose weight prior to the operation. Loss of excess weight will be beneficial in reducing the recovery time, producing positive outcomes after the surgery and decreasing future heart problems.

Heart surgeries can be more complicated for patients who have high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, as these conditions increase the risk for complications. For these reason, it is especially important that people who are overweight or obese lose the excess weight before they go through a heart surgery.

First Things First

The first step to lose weight before a heart surgery is to consult with a doctor to determine the ideal weight, given the amount of time before the surgery. The next step would be to look for an organized diet program that is appropriate for the individual. Recommended diets are usually low-fat, low-carbohydrate and high-fiber diets. It is helpful to track the foods eaten during the day in a food journal and to make a list of foods that are heart-healthy and/or foods that must be avoided.

What to Eat

Increase the intake of green vegetables, fruits, and other low-calorie types of food. Decrease the intake of high-carbohydrate foods such as foods high in sugar and starch. Also avoid foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats.

Examples of these are red meat, dairy products such as cream, cheese, whole milk and eggs, oils such as coconut oil and palm oil, whole milk, fried foods, snack foods, processed foods, foods from fast food restaurants and commercially made baked goods. Increase intake of food that is high in fiber, unsaturated fats and protein instead.

When and How Much to Eat

Additionally, always eat a complete breakfast and always remember to drink plenty of water each day to remove body wastes and toxins. Doctors may recommend that their patients limit their calories, thus, it is also important to calculate the number of calories that the person needs each day. To determine how many calories a type of food contains, read the nutrition labels.

Get Moving

Exercise is also an important factor in losing weight. Make it a habit to perform appropriate or doctor-approved exercises every day to help burn body fat. Start walking thirty minutes a day or engage in other physical activities that raise and keep the heart rate to a moderate level. Moderate activity is hard enough to feel warm but light enough that you can hold a conversation while you're working.

For sample meal plans, heart patient diet reviews and more, visit myheartpatientdiet.com.