Bariatric Surgery Nutrition
Weight loss surgery changes how you eat for the rest of your life. Trusted Living Nutrition helps you prepare for surgery, move through each post-op diet stage, and build eating habits that hold up years later. All sessions are virtual, so you can meet from home, including during recovery when getting to an office is the last thing you want to do.
Who this is for
- Considering surgery. You're exploring gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or another procedure and want to understand what eating will look like after.
- Preparing for surgery. Your surgical program requires a nutrition evaluation or a pre-op diet, and you want help getting through it.
- Recently had surgery. You're moving from liquids to purees to soft foods and want guidance at each step.
- Years out from surgery. You're seeing weight regain, struggling with protein, or just want a reset.
What working together looks like
Initial consultation (60 minutes). We review your health history, surgical plan or procedure, current eating, and any labs. You leave with clear next steps for where you are right now.
Follow-ups. Timed around your recovery: diet stage transitions, protein and fluid targets, supplement routines, and whatever comes up in real life, like eating out, travel, holidays, and food that suddenly doesn't sit well.
Common topics we work on:
- Pre-op diet and nutrition clearance for your surgical team
- Post-op diet progression, following your surgeon's protocol
- Getting enough protein and fluids with a much smaller stomach
- Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation
- Dumping syndrome, food intolerances, and portion changes
- Preventing and addressing weight regain
Why work with us
Maya Mangels, MS, RD, specializes in bariatric nutrition, working with patients from pre-op evaluation through long-term follow-up.
For surgeons and referring providers
Referring offices can send patient referrals to Maya@trustedlivingnutrition.com. We send a visit summary back after each appointment.
Pricing
Initial consultation: $185 (60 minutes)
Follow-up sessions: $95
We don't accept insurance, but we provide superbills so you can request out-of-network reimbursement from your plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to see a dietitian before bariatric surgery?
Many surgical programs and insurance plans require a nutrition evaluation before approval. We can complete that evaluation and send documentation to your surgical team.
What are the diet stages after bariatric surgery?
Most programs move from clear liquids to full liquids, then pureed foods, soft foods, and eventually regular textures over several weeks. Your surgeon sets the timeline; we help you follow it and figure out what to actually eat at each stage.
How much protein do I need after surgery?
Protein needs are higher after surgery and harder to meet with smaller portions. We set a target with you based on your procedure and your surgical team's guidance, then build a plan to reach it.
I had surgery years ago and I'm regaining weight. Can you help?
Yes. Regain is common and doesn't mean the surgery failed. We look at what's changed in eating, routine, and supplements, and build a plan from there.
Will my insurance cover bariatric nutrition visits?
We're self-pay and don't bill insurance directly. After each visit we can give you a superbill to submit to your plan for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies, so check with your insurer about your out-of-network benefits.
Do you offer telehealth?
Every visit is telehealth. We see patients anywhere in California by secure video.