Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach pouch to help the patient lose weight. While preparing for and after the gastric bypass, you will work closely with your surgeon and a dietitian to ensure that you are getting the proper nutrition. Without proper nutrition, you can suffer from vitamin deficiency and other complications, so following the post-op diet is vital.
Stages
There are four stages to the post-op gastric bypass diet. The exact amount of time you must follow each stage of the diet depends on your unique circumstances, but you can expect to have to follow the liquid diet for a few days after surgery. Once your body can handle the liquids, you will progress to the pureed foods diet, which lasts from one to two weeks. Next comes the soft foods diet, which lasts approximately eight weeks, notes MayoClinic.com. Finally, you progress to the solid food diet, which is the diet you will follow permanently.
Purpose
One reason you must progress through these four stages is to allow your stomach to heal after the surgery. Additionally, this diet slowly introduces food into your stomach and digestive system so that you don't suffer from any digestive difficulties because of the surgery. Finally, this diet progression allows you to become accustomed to your new eating routine and the dietary rules you must follow.
Time Frame
While you must follow the post-op gastric bypass permanently, you can expect to lose the most weight within the first 12 to 18 months after your surgery. This is usually a period of rapid weight loss, which is one reason why you will be monitored closely by your surgical team. After this period, you might still lose weight, but it will be at a slower rate, possibly as little as a pound per week.
Considerations
Your post-op gastric bypass diet also includes an exercise program. Exercising will help you to increase your lean muscle mass, decrease your amount of body fat and digest your food properly. Don't worry if you can't work out for a long period: As long as you are active and constantly trying to increase the duration and intensity of your workouts, you are on the right track.
Warning
You must ensure that you stay hydrated after your surgery. You need approximately six to eight cups of water daily, but you must plan when you will drink the water because you can't have any beverages within an hour before or after eating. You also must take care not to eat foods that won't digest properly, such as nuts, fibrous vegetables, tough meat, popcorn and carbonated beverages.
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