Gastric bypass is a major surgical procedure done to help a patient lose weight. It is usually reserved for obese patients who have serious health problems and cannot lose weight through diet and exercise. While gastric bypass is an effective treatment, patients need to follow a proper post-operative diet to lose weight and be properly nourished.
Definition
Gastric bypass is a weight-loss surgery in which the structure of your digestive tract is altered to limit both the amount of food you can eat and the amount that is absorbed by your body. Gastric bypass is the most common bariatric surgery performed in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. It is generally only done on patients who are severely overweight and are unable to lose weight by dieting and exercise.
Diet
After you undergo gastric bypass you will need to alter your diet, as your digestive system has changed. The purpose of this new diet is to enable you to digest food comfortably, help you lose weight and allow your stomach to heal properly. Modifications in your diet will include eating smaller meals, changing the texture of food, choosing healthier foods that that are high in nutrients and, if needed, using dietary supplements.
Phases
The gastric bypass diet is made up of liquid, pureed, soft solids and solid food phases. The liquid phase consists of room-temperature liquids foods like broth, milk and unsweetened juice. Within a few days, you will begin the pureed diet, lasting two to four weeks. On this part of the diet, you can only have pureed foods or foods with a pureed consistency. Foods that blend well, like lean ground meats, beans, yogurt and fruits are good options. Phase three, soft, solid food, includes solid foods with a soft texture. After about eight weeks, with your doctor's permission, you can resume a normal solid diet.
Food Choices
Certain food options are better than others, especially when recovering from major surgery and trying to lose weight. Lean meat, fish and eggs are good options as they are high in protein. You should also try to limit high-fat and sugary foods. Fat can be hard to digest after surgery and sugary foods are high in calories and low in nutrients. Other dietary considerations should be made, such as vitamin and mineral supplementation, drinking plenty of water and eating slowly.
Prognosis
Following the proper diet is the only way to ensure desired results. MayoClinic.com states that you can expect to lose about 50 to 60 percent of your excess weight within two years. The diet will also ensure that you receive necessary nutrients, and will allow you to keep the weight off long term.
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