Weight loss surgery doesn’t absolutely eliminate dieting. It is very important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines after undergoing bariatric surgery. If patients follow the prescribed diet and make it a lifestyle, they’ll lose the excess weight and keep it off. On the contrary, if you don’t follow proper diet plans, you will gradually regain the weight you’ve lost.
Your diet for the first five weeks after weight loss surgery is important for two reasons.
Your safety. Eating the wrong food could put too much pressure on your healing stomach.
Changing your bad eating habits and replacing them with new healthy habits.
With mindful eating and lifestyle changes, the weight loss can be easily maintained after surgery.
The long-term goal of weight loss surgery is to lose around 60 to 75 percent of your excess weight. The end result of weight loss surgery is that patients will continue to require only small portions of food and eventually be able to tolerate all types of foods. Patients’ bodies will be satisfied with smaller amounts of food and they won’t have continued cravings for larger quantities of food at mealtimes.Keep in mind that this program is an individual process and patients may not progress from one diet plan to the next in the exact time frame given. Adapting to new foods won’t happen overnight. It’s a learning process. You also need to remember that it takes approximately six months before the body will be able to tolerate all types of foods, especially meats, and it;s possible you won’t tolerate eating some foods at all.
- Keep meals small. Eat several meals a day.Each meal should include about a half-cup to one cup of food.
- Your weight loss surgery dictates that small amounts should be eaten.
- Only nutrient-dense items are allowed on the bariatric eating plan.
- It’s vital that food be chewed slowly and be eaten in very small quantities. Take 30 minutes for each meal.
- To prevent dehydration, strive to drink at least 6 cups of water each day. Sip fluids.
- Stop sipping fluids liquids within 30 minutes of each mealtime (once you reach the pureed diet stage).
- After surgery, lifelong multivitamins and mineral supplements are recommended.
- Focus on high-protein foods.Eat protein foods before eating carbohydrates second.
- Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. These foods travel quickly through your digestive system and cause dumping syndrome.
- Choose lean meats. Do not eat red meat that is tough or has girstle for 4 months after the surgery. You are allowed to eat beef as long as it’s cooked in a slow cooker until it’s tender.
- Do not eat white bread for 4 months after the surgery.
- Avoid raw vegetables, dried fruits, fresh fruits with skins and popcorn.
- Eat lean foods, such as grilled, steamed, broiled or baked foods. Avoid eating greasy, spicy or fried foods.
- Eat canned tuna and salmon.
- Eliminate fast food.
- Each meal should be no larger than your first.
In general, you need to choose foods that are high to moderate in protein, moderate in good fats and low in carbs.
- nuts
- salmon
- avocados
- sardines
- coconut oil
- nut butters
