Anyone who has had weight loss surgery knows that it's not an easy way out. The first three years following the procedure require a complete diet overhaul, including painstaking attention to every morsel of food you put in your mouth. Bariatric patients are given strict instructions on what and how to eat after surgery. While each person's post surgery diet plan will be different, there are some basic tips that apply to most after-surgery diets.
How To Eat
Step 1
Eat slowly and give yourself plenty of time to eat. According to the U.C. Davis Department of Bariatric Surgery, post-surgery patients should give themselves a dedicated 30 to 40 minutes for each meal.
Step 2
Chew thoroughly. Take small bites and aim to chew each bite 20 to 30 times to make sure it's thoroughly broken down. This makes it easier for your new stomach segment to digest your meal. It also helps you absorb more of the nutrients in your food.
Step 3
Don't fill your pouch with liquids at meal time. Sip liquids appropriately between meals. Use meal time to focus on good quality foods.
Step 4
Stick to your plan. Most patients are given strict instruction on how, when and what to eat. A lot of programs have strict requirements about snacking and frequency of meals. If you're plan doesn't allow snacks, be faithful to it and trust your doctor's advice. If you're instructed to eat several small meals a day, do so.
Step 5
Stop at the first sign of fullness. Overeating can stretch or damage your new stomach pouch. It can also lead to uncomfortable feelings, like dizziness or nausea. Eating slowly and really taking the time to savor and enjoy your food can help you feel satisfied after such a small portion.
What to Eat
Step 1
Stick to liquids and soft foods for the first three months. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is a time for healing and adjustment. The first few days are for clear, room temperature liquids. You'll move to pureed foods for an additional three to four weeks, depending on our healing progress. After that, you'll be on soft foods for around eight weeks, or until your doctor gives you the okay to eat harder foods.
Step 2
Eat protein first. Doctors at U.C. Davis Department of Bariatric Surgery recommend starting each meal with at least two ounces of lean, high-quality protein from lean meats or low-fat dairy. Follow with vegetables and other low-fat. Avoid simple starches and sugars.
Step 3
Choose nutritionally dense foods. You have to make the small amount of food you eat meet as many of your nutritional requirements as possible. Your diet should consist mostly of lean meats, low-fat dairy, vegetables and some fruits.
Step 4
Treat your supplements like an additional meal. You must never miss your vitamin and mineral supplements because weight loss surgery affects your body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Step 5
Skip high-sugar foods. High-sugar foods can lead to an episode of dizziness, shaking, sweating and nausea known as "dumping." This happens because foods leave the stomach pouch too quickly. While dumping is not deadly, it is highly unpleasant and once you experience it once, you'll never want to go through it again.
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