Gastric bypass surgery might be the last resort for the morbidly obese person who has tried conventional weight-loss methods and failed. The surgery involves dividing the stomach into two sections and reconnecting your intestinal tract to the new, smaller stomach. A gastric bypass greatly reduces the amount of food you can eat at one sitting, which should lead to weight loss and reduce your risk of the serious health consequences of obesity.
Quantity and Quality
According to Dr. Frank Jackson of Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, "After a gastric bypass, the volume that the new, smaller stomach can hold is reduced from about 1 quart to about 1 ounce, or 2 tablespoons. Over time, the stomach pouch will stretch until it can hold 4 to 8 ounces, or about 1/2 to 1 cup, at a time." Because the amount of food you can consume is limited, it's critical to choose nutrient-dense foods that ensure your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. Eating small meals evenly spaced throughout the day will help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid sugar and sweet foods, which still can cause "dumping" syndrome two years after surgery. Dumping syndrome occurs when very sweet or very fatty foods travel quickly through your stomach and dump into your intestine. You might have nausea, stomach cramps or diarrhea, or feel light-headed or dizzy, explains MayoClinic.com. You'll want to choose nutrient-dense foods that are low in calories. Eat a whole foods diet, avoiding packaged foods high in added sugars or fat. Use cooking oil sparingly and try to broil or roast your foods, rather than fry them. Don't eat deep-fried foods.
Foods to Eat
Weight gain is possible two years after surgery, especially if you chronically overeat, which can stretch out your stomach over time. Your stomach is fully healed from surgery within six months, so foods you didn't eat while healing -- such as popcorn, granola, high-fiber vegetables and tougher cuts of meat -- are no longer off limits. But you'll still want to eat a well-balanced, low-calorie diet and pay attention to portion control. The National Institutes of Health recommend that you eat mostly protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains, while limiting alcohol consumption, which can contribute a lot of empty calories to your diet.
Reasons for Weight Gain
A study published in the March 2011 issue of "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology" reported that almost 60 percent of patients experienced weight gain within four years after gastric bypass surgery. One of the reasons for this was a surgical complication: the larger the gastrojejunal stoma diameter, the more weight a patient is likely to regain. Barring surgical complications, weight gain most often is attributed to eating too much food, eating too many high-calorie foods and a lack of exercise. If you start to regain weight, talk to your doctor of dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan and get you back on track.
References
- Jackson/Siegalbaum Gastroenterology; Gastric Bypass Diet; Frank Jackson, M.D.; 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Gastric Bypass Diet
- Medline Plus: Your Diet After Gastric Bypass Surgery
- "Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology"; Gastrojejunal Stoma Diameter Predicts Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass; K Barham, et al.; March 2011
Member Comments