Bariatric, or weight loss surgery, may be an option for you if you are severely obese by 100 lbs. or more. During the procedure, a smaller stomach, or pouch, is created from the upper portion of your stomach. While this assists you in losing weight, you must do your part as well, and this means committing to a lifelong change in your diet. It may seem difficult at first, but the results are well worth breaking old habits and developing new ones.
Step 1
Prepare yourself. Before your surgery, the doctor will explain the changes you must make after the surgery is complete. He will also explain that it typically takes nine to 11 weeks before you can eat solid foods. This slow progression is needed so that your stomach has time to heal and to adjust to the changes in its size and holding capacity. To successfully lose weight using weight loss surgery, you need to be prepared to follow your new diet to the letter.
Step 2
Begin with liquids. You will enter this stage upon discharge, which is generally one to two days after your surgery. You will remain in this stage for approximately one week. It requires you to consume some type of liquid nourishment six times a day, approximately every two to three hours. Three times a day, you may choose from creamed soup that has been strained, broth, sugar-free pudding and low-fat yogurt minus the fruit chunks. You can consume 1/4 to 1/2 cup of these for each meal. The remaining three meals should be an 8-oz. protein supplement, such as a low-carbohydrate shake or a sugar-free instant breakfast packet mixed with one percent milk. Throughout the day, you are encouraged to drink liquids such as water, sugar-free Kool-Aid or decaffeinated coffee or tea. These can be 8-oz. servings, with a two serving per day maximum.
Step 3
Move on to pureed meals. You will remain in this stage for approximately four weeks. You will eat six times a day. The emphasis is still on protein, the building block for cell repair. It will also help you heal while providing you with energy. Your food list begins to grow at this point and includes items such as chicken, fish, eggs, cottage and ricotta cheeses. These items must be pureed in a blender as your new pouch is still not ready to digest large chunks of food. Again, three meals are made from the above-mentioned items while three meals are comprised of protein supplements. You may also add pureed vegetables, such as peas and carrots, along with pureed fruits and mashed potatoes. Your liquids also increase during this time. You will be able to have six to eight cups daily of sugar-free, non-carbonated beverages.
Step 4
Welcome to the soft stage. You can now enjoy many of the same foods already mentioned, but it no longer needs to be pureed. This stage lasts for approximately six to nine weeks; you can now add cooked or cold cereal, unsweetened, and any vegetable that is tender and has no seeds. Your liquid intake remains the same, as does the number of servings. Instead of six meals a day, however, you will now be eating only five.
Step 5
Slide into the lifestyle plan. Once your doctor feels you have healed properly, you can move into the lifestyle stage. This is the permanent diet you will be on and need to follow for your safety and continued weight-loss success. Now you will eat three meals a day, spaced four hours apart, eat slowly to avoid discomfort or nausea and chew your food to a near applesauce consistency; this makes it easier for your pouch to digest it. As soon as you feel full, stop eating. If you do not, you may find yourself vomiting or develop dumping syndrome. This is a condition that occurs when excess food spills into your small intestine, causing you to feel weak, dizzy and have diarrhea. Save your liquids for between meals. They will only fill you up and prevent your body from absorbing essential vitamins and minerals.
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