Gastric bypass though very effective at helping people lose weight fast is not a cure all, certain lifestyle changes are necessary. The guidelines for the first few weeks after gastric bypass surgery will vary from the different physicians and methods used. Here are some basic guidelines for diet recommendations after gastric bypass surgery, although your own surgeon and doctor may recommend a different diet regimen for you.
Basic Guidelines Post-Surgery
Generally an all liquid diet is recommended for the first week or two after the surgery. Then you can slowly start adding soft of pureed foods to your diet. Finally you will move onto solid foods. Your doctor will have some basic supplements for you to take, a good liquid multi-vitamin is recommended, as well.
Liquid Diet
Recommendations for this diet include, water, tea, flat diet soda, broth and sugar free gelatin. Also you can have skim milk and light frozen yogurt as long as they are well tolerated. Other choices are tomato soup made with milk and other pureed soups with no lumps. It is important to sip foods slowly, and only consume 2 or 3 ounces at a time.
Pureed Diet
This diet generally lasts 2 to 4 weeks. You will only want to eat food that has a smooth consistency.
Good choices for this diet include fish, beans, egg whites, soft fruits and vegetables. If needed blend solid food with water, milk, broth or sugar free juice. Again it is imperative to eat slowly and only consume small amounts at one time.
Soft Solid Food Diet
This requires a doctor’s okay and will probably take place around eight weeks after surgery. If you can mash it with a fork, it is soft enough to try. Some suggestions for this diet are oatmeal, ground meats, low fat cottage cheese, tuna, and cooked chicken and low fat cheeses.
It is a good idea to avoid bread, pasta, nuts, soda pop, and stringy vegetables such as celery, peanut butter and dried fruits.
Solid Diet
At this point, you can slowly start adding a variety of foods back into your diet. Spicy or crunchy foods may cause not be well tolerated, at first. If a certain food is not well tolerated, wait a week or so before trying it again.
Maintenance of Proper Diet
Remember to keep meals small and to chew your food slowly and thoroughly. For the first three months avoid crunchy foods. Drink plenty of liquids between meals, but avoid liquids 30 minutes before and after meals. Avoid sticky foods like bread, pasta and peanut butter. Avoid high sugar foods, as they can cause “dumping syndrome.” This syndrome can cause sweating, rapid heartbeat and fainting. Avoid foods high in fat. Concentrate on protein, but avoid tough meats like pork chops and steaks or you can always try cooking meats in a crock pot to tenderize them.
Proper diet maintenance is very important after gastric bypass surgery. Try to get the most nutrients possible from your food choices. By making good food choices you will lose weight that much quicker.
