Gastric bypass surgery is a type of weight loss procedure done to help an obese individual achieve weight loss. During the surgery, your stomach will be sealed off to limit your ability to absorb calories. You will be instructed by your surgeon to follow a special diet to get accustomed to eating smaller amounts of food in order to lose weight. Following the recommended diet reduces your risk of experiencing post-surgery complications and side effects.
Step 1
Plan to eat small meals throughout the day. Following gastric surgery, you need to get used to eating several small meals instead of three square meals. Eat at a slow pace during meals to give your body time to digest the foods.
Step 2
Consume only liquids for the first couple of days after surgery. A liquid diet is recommended to give your stomach time to heal and see how well you tolerate food. Have broth, water, sugar free juice, strained soups, sugar free popsicles and sugar free gelatin.
Step 3
Move on to well-blended solids. For approximately a month, you are required to eat blended and pureed foods. The foods that you eat during this period cannot have any large chunks in them. You can add milk, water, gravies and juice, and blend food items to a smooth consistency.
Step 4
Add some mashable foods to your diet. You will be allowed foods that can be mashed easily after your doctor has concluded that you are tolerating the pureed meals well. You will consume soft and mashed foods for another 4 weeks before you can add more meal items to your diet. Some food examples include cooked vegetables, canned fruits, diced meats and canned fish.
Step 5
Eat solids after 2 months of recovery time. Most foods can be consumed after 8 weeks. Exceptions include nuts, seeds, popcorn, chips, fatty meats, breads and carbonated soft drinks. Avoid foods high in fat and sugar.
