Intended for morbidly obese patients with at least 100 pounds to lose, gastric bypass procedures restrict the size of the stomach and reroutes the digestive system to block calorie absorption. A four-stage diet progression from liquids to solid foods during the first eight to 11 weeks helps to promote healing. For the rest of the patient's life, you must eat high quality, protein-rich foods to prevent the loss of lean muscle mass.
Protein
Protein is present in every cell and organ of the body, and must be replenished on a daily basis. A normally healthy adult needs an average of 50 g of protein per day. However, gastric bypass patients need more -- 60 to 80 g per day, says Linda Aills, R.D., lead researcher in a study published in the September 2008 issue of "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases."
Liquid Stages
Typically, patients drink only clear liquids such as tea, water, broth and sugar-free gelatin during Stage I, the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Stage II, the next 10 to 14 days, allows heartier non-caffeinated, sugar-free liquids in addition to the clear liquids. Highland Hospital's liquid meal plan alternates three 8-oz. servings of low fat, low sugar, high protein supplements, each containing at least 15 g of protein, with three small servings of strained cream soup, broth with protein powder, pudding or yogurt.
Pureed Food Stage
Stage III, the next 10 to 14 days, allows soft, moist, ground, diced or pureed protein-rich foods such as eggs, poultry, fish, bean soups, cottage cheese, low fat cheese and yogurt. The Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services recommends eating three to six small meals a day of protein-rich foods and, after the first week, adding small amounts of cooked vegetables and soft, peeled fruit. Highland Hospital instructs patients to drink three 8-oz. servings of protein supplements between protein-rich meals.
Soft Food Stage
Stage IV, the soft food diet, lasts 14 days or longer, according to Aills. Highland Hospitals suggests eating three small meals and two snacks per day. A sample menu includes egg substitute or egg whites for breakfast; cottage cheese and fruit for a mid-morning snack; chicken for lunch; yogurt for an afternoon snack and tuna salad with vegetables for dinner.
Solid Food Plan
In general, patients eat a high-protein, low sugar, low fat diet for the rest of their lives. They must eat protein first at each meal, followed by a fruit, vegetable or whole grain if they have room. Some patients eat six small meals a day while others eat three meals and a snack, depending on their surgeon's instructions and their individual nutritional needs.
References
- "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 4"; ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patients; Linda Aills, R.D.; Jeanne Blankenship, M.S., R.D.; Cynthia Buffington, Ph.D.; et al; September 2008
- Duke Health: The Recommended Diet Following Bariatric Surgery
- Highland Hospital: Postoperative Bariatric Diets
- MayoClinic.com: Gastric Bypass Diet; October 2009
- "Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies;" Karen Meyers, M.S., R.D., et al.; 2010
- Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services: Expert Panel on Weight Loss Surgery: Diet Stages
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