Another practical consideration is timing. The gelatin trick seems to work best when used before meals, not as a replacement for meals. Some users and recipe guides advise preparing it in advance, chilling it, and then eating a portion 15–30 minutes before your main meal. This timing helps the gelatin “expand” and create that mild fullness, which can support smaller portions. For a bariatric patient, who needs to carefully manage both volume and nutrient intake, such a timing strategy could be helpful—but it has to be integrated thoughtfully within their post-op dietary plan.