The Common Stages of Diet Following Bariatric Surgery

When a person makes the life-changing decision to have a Bariatric surgery they will be informed of the entire process. This includes pre-surgery, the actual procedure, and post-op. Some people may think that once the surgery is done, the weight will diminish on its own. The surgeon along with other specialists will emphasize the importance of committing to more than just the surgery. The surgery alone is not what leads to successful weight-loss. It is an important tool that needs to be assisted with changes in diet and exercise to fully work.


After surgery the patient's diet dramatically changes. No more slices of pizza or favorite candy bars. Patients are regularly assisted in their journey with a Bariatric program that will provide information on what to eat after surgery. There are different stages of foods the patient can intake. One to two days following surgery, the patient is monitored on how well he or she intakes low-sugar beverages such as Gatorade, water, broth, or tea. It is advised to drink with a cup rather than through a straw or bottle because these can lead to swallowing too much air which results in gas.


If the patient can handle the beverages, the surgeon will most likely go forth with the next diet step which can last up to a month post-op. This diet consists of three meals a day of purred foods, unless the individual is not hungry enough at that point. Since the stomach is smaller, there will be fewer portions. Protein and nutrients are crucial since they assist in the healing process. Many patients choose lean meats, dairy, eggs, and beans to get their daily amounts. It is more of a challenge to reach the recommended daily nutrient amount because the individual has a smaller stomach but needs the same amount of nutrients as a person who has a regular size stomach. Multivitamins and calcium supplements are usually taken.


Once the month of pureed foods has past, the surgeon may recommend the patient to start a solid diet which is the final step of the post-op diet. This may be the most challenging step of the new diet because eating healthier is critical to seeing optimal results. Protein is still very important to get on a daily basis. Typical healthy foods that can be eaten for life include fish, pasta, whole-grain items, chicken, and cheese.


Diet changes following Bariatric surgery are extremely important. Not only does it determine how successful your outcome will be, it assists in changing your overall health for the better.
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