Post Gastric Bypass Diet
Information on what you can and cannot eat after gastric bypass surgery.
Recovery after gastric bypass surgery can only be ensured if the patient follows the diet progression religiously. This diet has been considered to suit the condition of the patient’s new stomach. This is to ensure the proper healing which can be accomplished only through avoiding overeating and being very much gentle on the staple line. Prior to the surgery, one’s stomach can hold approximately 6 cups of fluid at a time, however after the surgery; one’s stomach can only hold about half a cup.
Initially, the patient must be well aware that he or she is in dire need to take multivitamins to meet their daily requirement of vitamins and minerals since he or she won’t be able to eat much after the surgery. It would also be healthy to take calcium supplements especially if one is not a big fan of milk. Protein is also a healthy option since it would aid in the wound healing, as well as muscle and skin growth and repair. 60-70 grams a day is the recommended amount a patient should have after the surgery. Choices in food must also be in low-fat. Fat digestion may be pretty tough for a patient’s new stomach so it is advisable that one avoid eating fatty foods. A diet that is low in added sugars is also recommended so as to avoid the occurrence of the Dumping Syndrome.
The post gastric bypass diet has four phases: clear liquids, puree diet, soft-diet and the solid food diet. After the surgery, one meal, which is in the form of clear liquids, will be given to observe how the patient tolerates eating. The intake of the meal should be done slowly while observing the feeling of fullness. If this meal is tolerated, the patient is ready to move on to phase two of the diet progression. Two to three weeks after the surgery, food intake of the patient must only be in the form of a semi-liquid or liquid state. It is imperative that the patient eat food only with thin and smooth consistency. During this phase, the patient must eat 4-6 meals per day.
With the doctor’s consent, three to four weeks after the surgery the patient may advance to phase three of the diet progression: semi-solid food or the soft diet. The patient must take four meals a day, with each meal not exceeding 4-6 ounces. Remember to take small bites and chew very well.
Four to six weeks after the surgery, the patient can start eating solid foods. Again, one must bear in mind to eat very slowly and chew the food very well in order to observe one’s tolerance with the food. Once a patient starts eating solid foods again, his or her meals can be reduced to the usual three meals per day. It is also important that there be 60 grams of protein in the meal one eats to meet the daily protein requirement of the body. At least four cups of low calorie liquids must be drunk by the patient in between meals to prevent dehydration, most especially during the first month. The patient must be committed in making these alterations in his or her eating habits to ensure significant weight loss and full recovery from the surgery. He or she must not forget to accompany his or her diet with regular and healthy exercise.
