Sleeve Gastrectomy Diet

People are often advised to reduce weight and get rid of obesity as it can lead to several health conditions and heart diseases. Most people look for methods and ways to lose weight; while some are ignorant to it, which results in excess obesity. The ordinary weight loss methods are not helpful if one wishes to get rid of the excess obesity. In this case, one of the methods that is used to treat obesity is sleeve gastrectomy.

An Overview on Sleeve Gastrectomy

It is defined as the surgical method of getting rid of obesity and weight loss. Bariatric surgery and vertical sleeve surgery, both mean the same. In this surgery, a major part of the stomach is removed as it contains excess of fats. Nearly 85% of the stomach is removed and only a tube or a sleeve like part of the stomach is retained. Therefore, this surgery is known as the sleeve gastrectomy.

As a major portion of the stomach is surgically removed, the excess fats in the person's stomach are automatically taken out. Secondly, the smaller size of the stomach is easier to fill and hence, the person tends to eat less. Similarly, when the stomach is removed from the body, the hunger hormones or the hormones causing hunger are cut out from the body which further reduces the appetite. All these factors lead to weight loss in future and the person is also free from obesity. Due to numerous advantages, many people are inclined to go for this obesity surgery. However, it should be noted that not all people can go for this diet. Only those with a BMI higher than 35 can go for this surgery. People undergoing this surgery are advised to go for sleeve gastrectomy diet. The following is the list of foods to eat and foods to avoid in this diet.

Sleeve Gastrectomy and Diet

Immediately after the surgery, you will be advised to have only liquids as diet. Clear fruit juices, clear broth, water, clear liquids, etc. are the only foods that a person will be required to consume post surgery, when in the hospital. After a couple of days or a week, the person may be advised to go for diet that consists of semisolid foods like vegetable puree, pureed meats, eggs, cottage cheese, puddings and porridge, oatmeal, milk, yogurt, cheese, mashed potatoes, etc. The second phase of the diet continues for a longer time, i.e., for 4-5 weeks. Once this phase is over, you can start including other solid foods slowly in your daily diet. It should be noted that foods that are very difficult to digest should be avoided as much as possible.

The diet should be high in protein; low in fats, calories and carbohydrates. Secondly, all the sugar containing foods are also excluded from this diet in the initial as well as the later phase. As fats and sugar contribute in weight gain, it is wise to get rid of it from the diet. Therefore, fatty foods, excess of cheese and butter, margarine, mayonnaise, sweets, desserts, chocolates, sodas (they contain sugar), processed fruit juices, etc. should also be cut down from the diet post sleeve gastrectomy.

Lastly, one should remember that the surgery can truly be effective only when proper methods and precautions are followed afterwards to prevent further weight gain. Therefore, one needs to be careful about the diet and follow it regularly. This write-up is meant only for educational and information purposes. Take care!