Gastric bypass surgery restricts caloric intake, promoting weight loss for severely overweight and obese patients. There are several types of surgeries, but all involve dividing the stomach into two sections and creating a new smaller stomach pouch that can hold only between 3 and 8 oz. Gastric bypass is a major operation and there are risks associated with the procedure. You can minimize risks by carefully following the recommended diet both before and after surgery.
Two to Three Months Before Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery requires a lifelong commitment to healthy eating and exercise. In the months before your procedure, you'll be asked to follow an 800 to 1,200-calorie high-protein diet and work out regularly. Following the diet shows your health care team that you've made the decision to take charge of your health and that you'll be able to make the lifestyle changes necessary for success. Losing weight before gastric bypass can help shorten the length of the surgery, making it easier and safer. Eating a high-protein diet will ensure your body breaks down fat, not lean muscle mass, while on a low-calorie eating plan. Preserving lean muscle mass may speed post-op recovery time.
Two to Three Weeks Before Surgery
Your doctor may suggest a liquids-only diet in the last few weeks before surgery. Using high-protein meal replacement shakes will cut your calories further, to about 800 calories daily and prepare you for your diet immediately after surgery. The meal replacement shakes will be lower in fat and carbohydrates than your previous diet, because this is your last chance to lose excess abdominal fat. Protein, which slows digestion, will help you fell full and avoid hunger. You'll also be advised to not consume any alcoholic beverages and stop smoking.
After Surgery Diet
Your high-protein diet will continue after gastric bypass surgery, although for the first few days you'll be limited to clear liquids only, such as chicken broth and diluted apple juice. It's critical to follow the post-op diet carefully, as overeating can cause vomiting, delay healing and stretch out your new smaller stomach, which will allow you to consume too many calories. You'll move from clear liquids to thicker liquids, which will include protein shakes, nonfat yogurt and oatmeal. As you heal, you'll add soft and pureed foods to your diet, including scrambled eggs, tofu or cottage cheese. Six to eight weeks after gastric bypass surgery, you should be able to eat solid foods, but you'll need to avoid crunchy, tough and stringy foods. Protein will help your body heal, preserve lean muscle tissue and keep you satiated.
Other Diet Tips
Everyone heals at their own rate -- follow your doctors' orders and work with a nutritionist to develop an individualized diet that works for you. As a general guideline, after surgery, at least 50 percent of each meal should be protein; eat slowly and try to take a full 30 minutes to eat each meal; don't drink while eating -- only drink between meals; don't use a straw when drinking to avoid air bubbles and gas and don't drink carbonated beverages.
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