If you’re considering bariatric surgery, you’re undoubtedly curious about how you’ll be able to adjust to eating in a completely different way. Life following weight loss surgery will present both opportunities and challenges.
You will have to adhere to a rigorous diet both before and after surgery, which is designed to promote healing and prevent problems.
Your diet will gradually change to support the formation of wholesome eating habits, enabling you to keep dropping pounds and eventually reach and sustain a healthy weight for the rest of your life.
Although the recommendations for this new way of eating may initially seem overwhelming, most patients find that they eventually become an unconscious part of their daily routine.
What dietary restrictions will I have after surgery?
Following bariatric surgery, a rigorous food progression is initiated right away. It is essential to follow this process in order to avoid problems and ensure the operation’s long-term success:
Clear liquid diet:
You will be instructed to consume a few sips of clear liquid during your stay in the hospital. These consist of sugar-free, non-carbonated drinks, water, broth, sugar-free gelatin, sugar-free popsicles, and decaf tea and coffee. Initially, you should drink 1-2 ounces per hour. To prevent dehydration after discharge, you should increase your fluid intake to 3–8 ounces every hour. It would help if you aimed to consume 48–64 ounces every day. Avoiding straws will help you stay comfortable.
Full liquid diet:
You will add full liquids after the first week, like sugar-free, fat-free pudding, low-fat yogurt, strained low-fat cream soups, and fat-free/low-fat milk (or unsweetened non-dairy milk). You will start consuming protein shakes to help you meet your daily protein goal (whey protein is typically recommended following surgery). 64 ounces of fluid must be consumed each day.
Pourable protein:
At this point, meals must be blended for three weeks to obtain a smooth baby food consistency. This will help you become more tolerant of new foods and prevent major issues. About 2 ounces of mixed protein foods make up each meal. If you take a few nibbles and find that you are full and cannot finish the 1/4 cup, that’s okay, too.
Mushy/soft diet:
This stage includes meals that are easy to mash, like lean ground meats, poultry, fish, canned tuna or salmon, scrambled eggs, lentils, tofu, cooked soft vegetables, and canned fruits in water or natural juice. To reach your daily protein target, start your meal with protein-rich meals. Shakes with protein are still a crucial component of your diet.
Regular diet:
Nine weeks following weight-loss surgery, patients can typically safely resume a regular, healthy diet. You will be advised to steer clear of meals that are typically poorly accepted and to eat primarily foods strong in protein. All of the healthy dietary practices you developed while getting ready for surgery are ones you will keep up with. Meals consist of 4–8 ounces, or 1/2–1 cup.
Potential Issues with Nutrition
Following weight loss surgery, potential dietary issues could include:
- Constipation – Constipation can be caused by an inactive lifestyle or a diet deficient in liquids or fiber.
- Dehydration – It is not recommended to consume fluids with meals, which leads to dehydration in certain individuals. For this reason, you should drink 64 ounces (1.9 liters) of water and other liquids during the day.
- Dumping syndrome – This is a cramped, full feeling that can cause dizziness, headaches, trembling, perspiration, hunger pangs, and exhaustion. This can happen after consuming foods high in fat, sugar, or both or after drinking alcohol while eating. Take note that patients are more likely to experience this adverse effect following a gastric bypass.
Apart from these symptoms, you can also feel nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Together, you and the team of qualified dietitians will identify these problems and devise preventative and therapeutic measures.
Changing your diet long-term
Patients undergoing weight loss surgery should be aware that while their stomachs can handle any food, it might not be the most incredible option for weight loss once they are able to tolerate it physically. Patients who have had bariatric surgery frequently have space for their protein dish, which is what you should eat initially. Patients should take non-starchy veggies second if they have extra space in their pouch. Dietitians can assist you in developing a practical eating plan that suits your tastes and way of life.