Gastric bypass surgery is a weight-loss surgery that is performed on obese or overweight patients. It is often considered when traditional diet and exercise do not work alone. Gastric bypass surgery includes stomach stapling, gastric band surgery and adjustable lap-band surgery. All of these processes involve making the stomach smaller in order to feel full more quickly. Your doctor will show you how to eat correctly to keep losing weight and keep the pounds off after gastric bypass surgery.
Step 1
Eat small meals. According to the Mayo Clinic, starting several weeks after surgery with several small meals, then working to three or four larger meals throughout the day is the best way to acclimate your stomach. Eat about half a cup of food at each meal, but stop eating immediately when you feel full.
Step 2
Wait at least 30 minutes after eating a meal to drink any liquid. Liquid, including water and juice, will pass right through the stomach, diluting the food you are beginning starting to digest. This may make you feel too full and stop eating prematurely, which will prevent you from getting the proper nutrition of the meal.
Step 3
Chew your food carefully and eat slowly. If you eat too fast and do not chew your food well, states the Mayo Clinic, dumping syndrome may occur. Dumping syndrome happens when the stomach releases food into the large intestine quickly and in large amounts, which can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Step 4
Introduce new foods slowly. It may take months for your stomach to work up to digesting all of your old favorite foods, so bring them back into your diet one at a time. This way, you can pinpoint the specific ingredient in the meal that is bothering you to avoid eating the same ingredient in the future.
Step 5
Avoid hard-to-digest foods. Your doctor will give you a list of foods that are not approved to be eaten after your gastric bypass surgery. These foods may include carbonated drinks, nuts, seeds, celery, broccoli, cabbage, corn and popcorn, granola and tough meats. These foods may irritate your stomach due to their texture.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult your doctor before following any diet regimen.
- Do not eat the day of your gastric bypass surgery.
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