Gastric bypass surgery is a medical procedure performed to treat morbid obesity. Surgery is not a miracle solution. With the surgery comes a lifelong commitment to drastic diet changes. Gastric bypass reduces the size of the stomach and therefore reduces the amount of food you can eat in one sitting. This diet begins immediately after surgery and progresses in stages.
Eligibility
Not everyone is eligible for gastric bypass surgery. To qualify you must be at least 100 lbs. overweight or have a BMI of 40 or more. You can also have a BMI of 35 or more in addition to other health complications, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. You must also have multiple failed attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise alone and be mentally and physically able to undergo surgery.
Stage One
Stage one begins immediately after surgery. This portion of the diet will be administered by the hospital at first and then later by you at home for approximately two to three weeks. It consists of liquids only. There is a focus on protein throughout the lifelong diet and the liquid phase is no exception. It is recommended to drink high protein supplements with at least 13g of protein and clear liquids with added protein powders. Drinking 6 to 8 cups of fluids a day will help to prevent dehydration.
Stage Two
Stage two begins three to four weeks after surgery and should consist of soft or pureed foods. Focus on foods that are high in protein and low in sugar, fat and fiber. Eat the high-protein foods first in your meal and then proceed to eat other items. Some recommended foods in this stage include yogurt, tuna fish, scrambled eggs and pureed soups.
Stage Three
Stage three is the maintenance stage and lasts a lifetime. Failure to maintain the diet will result in failure of the surgery and weight gain. Due to the size of your stomach you will only be able to eat about 1 cup of food in one sitting. Foods in this stage should still be primarily focused on protein needs. Foods like eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese and lean meats are acceptable choices. You should avoid whole fruits with the skin, fibrous foods and nuts, as these may be too filling for the size of your stomach and prevent you from getting the necessary calories you need.
Eating Healthfully
Due to the reduced size of your stomach, the amount of food you absorb and use for nutrients is also reduced. Because of this, you should eat six small meals a day and take at least 30 minutes to eat each meal, advises MedlinePlus. Try to avoid concentrated sweets, as these can cause dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome can cause you to feel light headed, nauseated and uncomfortable. Consult with your doctor and bariatric dietitian for the diet plan that best fits your needs after bariatric surgery.
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