Gastric bypass surgery helps morbidly obese individuals lose weight, but it does not cure obesity. To maintain weight loss, patients must make permanent changes to their exercise and eating habits. Successful patients learn to choose healthy foods in the correct amounts and adhere to dietary restrictions as outlined by their nutritionists and bariatric surgeons, according to Linda Aills, R.D., lead researcher in a study published in the September 2008 issue of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.
How It Works
Gastric bypass, the most common type of weight loss surgery performed in the United States, restricts the amount of food the patient can take in at one time and blocks some of the calories from absorption. The surgeon staples around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch and also reroutes the patient's digestive system to bypass part of the small intestine, says Aills. Because of these permanent changes to the anatomy, postoperative gastric bypass patients must adhere to dietary restrictions as to the amount, texture and content of the foods they eat.
Texture
Because the opening from your stomach to the intestine is narrow after gastric bypass surgery, your body must adjust before it can tolerate solid foods, says MayoClinic.com. Eventually, your body will tolerate most of the foods you ate before surgery, but some patients have difficulty digesting certain foods because of their texture, says Aills. You may need to avoid eating rice, pasta, soft bread, nuts, popcorn, tough meat or stringy vegetables if they make you feel uncomfortable after eating them. Large pieces of any solid food may block the stomach opening, causing vomiting and stomach pain, so take small bites and chew your food well before swallowing.
Volume
The bariatric surgeon creates a stomach pouch about the size of an egg that holds an ounce of fluid, according to bariatric surgeons Jon Gould, M.D., and Mike Garren, M.D. Within the first two years, most pouches stretch to hold 6 to 10 ounces, so you must restrict the volume of your meals to facilitate weight loss and maintain a healthy weight. Bariatric surgeons usually recommend eating three small meals a day and one to three small snacks. Be sure to eat enough to feel full at each sitting rather than grazing all day, which can lead to weight regain.
Nutritional Content
You need at least 60 grams of protein per day after gastric bypass surgery to prevent losing lean muscle mass after gastric bypass surgery, says Aills. Therefore, eat your protein first and add fruits, vegetables and grains to the meal if you still have room. Avoid foods like potato chips, french fries, ice cream, desserts and other items that add calories without providing nutritional value. In particular, avoid foods with high sugar and fat contents, as these foods move quickly through the digestive system and dump into the intestines. The result, called dumping syndrome, causes bloating, flushing, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain, says MayoClinic.com. If you develop lactose intolerance after surgery, avoid milk and other dairy products or take an over-the-counter lactase enzyme product to prevent bloating, intestinal gas and diarrhea.
Beverage Restrictions
Bariatric surgeons instruct patients to avoid or delay drinking beverages containing caffeine and alcohol to avoid stomach irritation and over-intoxication, says MayoClinic.com. Because air expands the stomach, avoid using a straw and drinking carbonated beverages for the rest of your life. Drink plenty of water and other sugar-free, caffeine-free fluids between meals to prevent dehydration, but do not drink anything during meals because the food will wash out of the pouch, causing you to feel hungry too soon, caution Gould and Garren.
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