Gastric bypass surgery, or bariatric surgery, is performed to change the anatomy of your digestive system to promote weight loss. The procedure is done to limit the amount of food that you can eat and digest. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that bariatric surgery is relatively safe and can provide the best treatment for obesity when combined with diet and lifestyle changes. You must learn new ways to eat after bariatric surgery to achieve consistent weight loss and keep it off.
Step 1
Plan on not eating for two or three days after the surgery to allow time for your stomach to heal.
Step 2
Follow a progressive reintroduction of food to your system that starts with liquids and moves to soft foods and tiny meals. Your stomach will be reduced to the size of a walnut and will not be able to hold much food without becoming sick. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that eating too much in the first six months following the surgery can cause vomiting and severe pain under the breastbone.
Step 3
Prepare liquids at room temperature for the first few days following the original fast after surgery. Liquid nourishment should contain mostly water in foods such as broth, juice, soup and cooked cereals.
Step 4
Puree foods for at least the first three to four weeks. Use a blender or food processor to liquefy meals so there are no distinct pieces. Eat food that has the consistency of paste or thick liquid.
Step 5
Add small amounts of solid food for the next six to eight weeks. Eat food that is tender and easy to chew, such as diced meat, canned fruit or cooked vegetables.
Step 6
Eat about six meals a day and continually sip on water and other liquids as you get more accustomed to your new dietary guidelines. You may return to three or four small meals a day after a couple months.
Step 7
Experiment with new foods one at a time to see how your body tolerates each kind of food. Chew your food thoroughly and if you become uncomfortable, don't eat that food anymore. While food tolerance varies from person to person, common foods that cause problems include meat, pasta, raw vegetables, bread, milk and carbonated sodas.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat and drink slowly to avoid dumping too much food into your intestines that could cause vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea and sweating. Allow at least 30 minutes to eat a meal and 30 to 60 minutes to drink one cup of liquid. Make sure you get enough protein in your diet to improve your body's healing abilities.
Things You'll Need
- Blender
- Food processor
