Bariatric Surgery Diet

You can get rid of excessively accumulated fat by opting for bariatric surgery. Bariatric weight loss surgery is performed to treat obesity by modifying the gastrointestinal tract, using an implanted medical device, called gastric banding, to reduce the intake of nutrients and to reduce the amount of absorption within the body. Any individual undergoing the surgery requires a healthy diet for fast recovery. Following a specially designed diet before the weight reduction surgery is very crucial; as it helps decrease the risk of complications during and after the surgery.

Diet before Bariatric Surgery

The patients are expected to have around 800 to 1200 calories a day, for a few days before operation. A high protein diet which is necessarily low in calories, fats and carbohydrates is recommended by the doctors. You should avoid high-sugar foods, high carbohydrate foods (like bread and pasta), fats (like butter), fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk products, high-calories beverages (like regular soda and alcoholic beverages). You may enjoy yogurt, fruit, cereal, eggs, oatmeal for breakfast and lean meat or fish with green vegetables for lunch and dinner.

Due to the restricted food intake, bariatric surgery patients are asked to take protein, mineral and vitamin supplements. High amount of protein is required to help fast recovery after surgery. Proteins are required to protect muscles so that the body burns excess fat instead of muscle tissue when on a low fat diet. The diet may vary from person to person but usually, pre-op diet is so designed that the person gets around 70 to 120 grams of protein each day. Fat content of the liver can be reduced with the help of a properly planned diet. It helps avoid excessive bleeding during surgery. The diet before the surgery helps shorten the operating time.

Diet after Bariatric Surgery

After a bariatric weight loss surgery, it is necessary to follow a diet plan that ensures fast and proper healing. It should provide adequate nutrition too. Most bariatric surgeries fail because patients do not follow the diet prescribed by the surgeon or dietitian.

Remember, your eating habits will drastically change immediately after your bariatric surgery, forcing you change your lifestyle, for the rest of your life. After about 9-12 weeks post surgery, you will be able to eat solid foods. You will progress gradually, starting with clear liquid diet. You are expected to keep your portion sizes small and calorie levels reduced, in order to continue your weight loss.

Clear Liquid Diet
For the first one-two weeks after a gastric bypass surgery, clear liquid diet will keep you properly hydrated. Clear liquids (liquids you can see through) which can be consumed, are diluted fruit juices like kiwi, apple, grape and cranberry, protein fruit drinks, broths like clear beef, chicken and vegetable broths, sugar-free gelatin and artificially sweetened non-carbonated beverages. As far as possible, you should avoid using a straw and continue to sip slowly throughout the day, 1 to 2 ounces over 30 minutes.

Full Liquid Diet
A week after the surgery, you can add full liquids (fluids you cannot see through) to your diet which may include broth of low fat, cream bariatric soups, protein shakes and smoothies, skim milk, yogurt and diet puddings, and liquid protein supplements.

Pureed Diet
Usually, 3-4 weeks after surgery, the patient will be allowed to consume pureed foods, foods which have a consistency of apple sauce and which do not contain any pieces or chunks. Foods that are just cut into small pieces or mashed are not acceptable in bariatric surgery diet. you are expected to add one new food at a time and observe your reaction to it. You can use a blender or food processor. Place the food in the blender and add some liquid broth, skim milk or low-calorie gravy. Remember, you are supposed to incorporate high protein low calorie foods into your diet. Some permissible food items are cooked vegetables (peeled), canned fruits (in their own juices or water), low-fat cottage cheese, chopped lean meat (except red meat), cooked eggs any type except fried, etc.

You can take a chewable vitamin supplement only when your surgeon allows. You are supposed to drink plenty of fluid, however you should NOT eat and drink at the same time. It is beneficial if you stop drinking fluids 20-30 minutes before you want to eat. After eating, again you are supposed to wait 20-30 minutes to drink fluids. You are expected to eat pureed foods for three to four weeks, allowing the opening in the stomach pouch to heal.

Soft Foods and Regular Diet
After five to six weeks post surgery, you will be asked to incorporate soft foods with more texture into your bariatric surgery diet. Easy to chew, tender soft foods, such as ground or finely diced meats, canned or soft fruit, cooked vegetables, rice, macaroni, noodles are usually recommended. You should eat many small meals a day and sip water in between. You may perhaps start with six small meals a day and gradually progress to four meals a day. Protein rich foods, such as lean meat, yogurt and eggs are recommended. You may perhaps be required to eat soft foods for about eight weeks before progressing to regular texture foods, depending upon the situation.

After three months, you'll be allowed to eat regular foods and your diet plan will consist of three small meals and three healthy snacks a day. Of course, lean sources of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be included in the diet. Usually a low calorie diet (1000-1200 calories per day) is prescribed by the surgeon and the dietitian as it promotes weight loss.

Diet Tips for Fast Recovery after Bariatric Surgery

• Eat proteins first: Most dietitians recommend an intake of between 60 and 100 grams of protein each day.
• Lots of fruits and vegetables with meals: This can help digestion and provide necessary nutrients.
• No fluids with meals: Drinking fluids with meals can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and a situation called dumping syndrome in gastric bypass patients.
• Plenty of water: You should drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day. Non-carbonated beverages as well as flavored waters, decaf coffee or tea, broth and diluted fruit juices can be included in your diet.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements every day: Required daily supplements may include a multivitamin/mineral, calcium, vitamin B-12 and an iron supplement.
• Eat and drink slowly: You are supposed to take at least 20 to 30 minutes to eat your small meals and 30 to 60 minutes to drink 1 cup of fluid with 15 to 20 chews per bite. A slow, well chewed food is required by your small stomach pouch and narrowed outlet to avoid problems such as dumping or vomiting.
• Eat small meals: After surgery, you won't be able to eat more than 1 to 1 ½ cups of food at a time. Three to six small meals a day, with each meal no more than six to eight ounces in size, are recommended. You can include two or three healthy protein snacks if hungry. You should stop eating before you begin to feel full.

Numerous bariatric surgery diet recipes are available on the Internet. A little bit of patience and discipline is required to achieve the desired goal. The diet is simple and easy but you should stick to the instructions of the surgeon and dietitian. Follow the instructions religiously and prevent health complications after the surgery.