Gastric Sleeve Diet

Gastric sleeve surgery or resection is an appetite suppressing surgery. It is also a popular weight loss surgery, undergone by overweight people or folks obsessed with losing weight. Also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) or bariatric weight loss surgery, this is a surgery in which the size of the stomach is reduced (75% of the curvature of the stomach is reduced), thereby reducing the amount of food that can be consumed at a particular time. The shape of the stomach changes from a round curvature to the shape of a thin tube or banana. Since the stomach is now smaller, one feels full after eating only a little amount of food.

Moreover, the surgery also conduces to some hormonal changes, which reduce the amount of hunger pangs experienced by a person. This happens because during the surgery, the upper region (almost two-thirds) of the stomach is removed, which is the region where the hunger stimulating hormone, Ghrelin is normally produced. The surgery thereby reduces the hunger pangs one usually feels. Moreover, unlike fad diets or other unhealthy weight loss programs, this type of weight loss tool does not conduce to food malabsorption or intestinal rerouting. However, there are several lifestyle changes that one will have to resort to after this surgery, pertaining to eating habits and exercise.

Gastric Sleeve Diet

Some surgeons require the patients to be on a gastric sleeve diet before the surgery itself. They will ask the patient to consume low fat foods and avoid fried food items. Moreover, the patient is also asked to stop consuming sugar and is asked to switch to sugar substitutes. Weaning off from carbonated drinks and avoiding alcohol completely, is also asked before undergoing surgery.

Once the surgery is done, the surgeon will tell the patient who has undergone a gastric resection to limit food consumption. The person will never be able to eat a lot of anything, however, there is no specific post gastric sleeve diet plan that is outlined for people, who have undergone the gastric sleeve surgery. Just for the initial time after surgery, there are some bariatric surgery diet restrictions, which we will have a look at below.

Gastric Sleeve Diet After Surgery

Just after surgery...
Immediately after the gastric bypass, the patient will be put on a clear liquid. Water, tea, broth, Gatorade and sugar free jello are given to the patient. This fluids have to be had very slowly and over an extended period of time. The patient will not be able to drink much after the surgery.

One week after surgery...
The patient is still not allowed to take soft foods or solids post gastric bypass, because solid foods can breakdown the staple lines done during surgery, thereby conducing to a leak. Liquid foods such as broth, tea, water, juices (non-acidic), low fat cream soups, skimmed milk, light yogurt, sugar free gelatin or protein fruit drinks can be had. Low fat and low sugar liquids are also given.

2-5 weeks after surgery...
Due to danger of staple-line disruption, the patient is asked to strictly consume baby food or pureed foods, which means those which can be mashed and pureed easily and also contain a low sugar amount. Chunks of food can get stuck in the opening of the stomach and can cause searing pain and vomiting, which is why only perfectly pureed and mashed food is given at this stage. Pureed poultry and meat, mashed potatoes, unsweetened applesauce, etc. are given. Consumption of carbonated drinks are strictly prohibited for a month after surgery. Moreover, processed sugars and concentrated fruit drinks are also prohibited.

6-12 weeks after surgery...
Now the patient is ready for soft foods. Almost all foods that come in the soft diet food list are allowed, provided they are low in sugar and fat content. Low fat cottage cheese, oatmeal, blended soft cooked vegetables, unsweetened puddings, etc. can be eaten. Protein foods are recommended. Moreover, the meals have to be spaced 4-5 hours apart and one should have the meal very slowly taking 30 minutes for each meal. Each meal will only comprise a few nibbles and one will take time to get adjusted to the new lifestyle.

4 months after surgery...
The patient is gradually steered to a regular diet. Lean meats, soft poached eggs, fruits, vegetables, grains can be eaten. However, rice, pasta and bread may not be tolerated till 6 months or more. One will not be able to indulge in a large variety of dishes on the buffet table. After eating a few bites one will feel very full, thereby enabling the desired weight loss.

For the first two years after surgery, the diet is restricted to 600 to 800 calories a day. This first year is when most of the weight loss takes place. Once adequate amount of weight loss is seen, the calorie intake is increased to 1000 - 1200 calories a day. After a gastric sleeve resection, the diet outlined will vary from one person to another depending on the tolerance level. Depending on the tolerance levels, items will be added or subtracted from the gastric sleeve diet. Before surgery and after surgery the patient is expected to maintain a regular exercise regime. This is to maximize the amount of weight lost and to prevent one from gaining more weight.

People who have undergone the gastric sleeve surgery can eat only small quantities of food all through their lives. They also need to chew their food well and swallow completely chewed food. The gastric sleeve diet does not place any particular restrictions on which foods to consume, however, high calorie and carbonated drinks are to be avoided. Moreover, these people cannot take fluids and solids at the same time. Just because this surgery has been carried out, does not mean one can eat whatever one wants. If one consumes too much at a time, over a period of time, the tube-like stomach will stretch and become bigger. This means it will take longer for one to feel full, thereby losing the whole purpose of the surgery. So it is essential one eats right.

It's important to reconsider whether this drastic step is necessary for weight loss. Morbidly obese people may have no option, but to go in for this weight loss surgery. However, the rest can try and control their weight by other non-surgical means.