Bariatric surgery is a weight loss tool for morbidly obese patients, who have exhausted more conservation means of weight loss -- including diet, exercise and lifestyle modification. Bariatric surgery can help a patient to lose weight and eat less following surgery. As a result of a disease in stomach size, bariatric patients will need to follow a special diet after surgery.
Liquid Diet
For the first one to two weeks following surgery, you will need to follow a strict, clear liquid diet. According to BariatricChoice.com, you should consume 64 oz. of clear liquid each day. Clear liquids can include diluted fruit juices, broths, sugar free gelatin and non-carbonated beverages that are artificially sweetened. Within a week or two -- or at the discretion of your doctor -- you can follow a full liquid diet. Full liquids include milk, yogurt, pudding, protein supplements, soups, smoothies and protein shakes. Liquids should be low fat.
Pureed Diet
At four weeks post-bariatric surgery, you can begin a diet with pureed foods -- pureed foods contain no pieces or chunks of food. Food needs to be placed into a food processor or blender to be pureed. Pureed foods can include any food of your choosing. Add milk, gravy or broth to the food for additional flavoring. You will still need to drink plenty of liquids while in the pureed diet stage of your recovery. BariatricChoice.com recommends that you avoid consuming liquids for 20 to 30 minutes before and after consuming a pureed meal to give your stomach time to adjust.
Regular Diet
Five to six weeks following your bariatric surgery, you will be able to consume a regular diet. Ease your way into a regular diet by starting with soft foods. Soft foods can include cooked vegetables, noodles, canned fruit and diced meats. At this point, you should be consuming water with your meals. BariatricChoice.com indicates it normal takes eight weeks following surgery to eat tougher, more textured foods. A bariatric diet should contain between 1,000 and 1,200 calories per day to help promote weight loss.
Considerations
According to DukeHealth.org, your doctor may recommend a multi-vitamin to ensure proper nutrition. A multi-vitamin will provide you with adequate amounts of vitamin B-12, iron, calcium as well as vitamins A, D, E and K. DukeHealth.org also recommends consuming 40 to 60 g of protein per day. Protein helps your body to heal and helps you to maintain muscle mass as you loss weight. Foods high in protein include eggs, yogurt, bean, lean meats, tofu, fish and tuna.
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