Dietary changes after gastric bypass surgery

Nutrition and Diet Adjustments after Surgery

Undergoing bariatric surgery means that you will have to make drastic transformations to your diet and eating habits for the rest of your life. You need to change the contents and quantity of diet and your eating schedule as well.  At the same time you will have to monitor and watch out and prevent nutritional deficiencies that may arise. Your endeavor and dedication to these transformations will ultimately decide if your surgery is successful.

Nutritional deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies are rare following a bariatric surgery if you take the necessary dietary supplements. However, they still may occur, if you underwent a malabsorptive procedure and include:

Protein Deficiency: A regular intake of proteins is necessary for replacement of the damaged tissues. You must take about 60–80 gm of protein daily to prevent the deficiency of proteins.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency: You need to take a high potency multivitamin-mineral supplements everyday after the surgery for the rest of your life to avoid their deficiency. The deficiencies of vitamin B12, iron and calcium are most common.

Dehydration: Dehydration may occur due to vomiting, diarrhea or reduced size of fluid intake. It is common during the early postoperative phase. To prevent it, take fluids throughout the day. However, stop fluid intake 30 minutes before meals and resume it 30 minutes after eating. Drinking while eating may cause vomiting, bloating or dumping syndrome.

Your Diet after Weight loss Surgery

After the weight loss surgery, your first diet will consist of liquids, that is, the liquids through which you can see, for example, diluted fruit juice, gelatin (artificially sweeten) or broth. Next, you will be on full liquids such as 1% or skim milk, cream of wheat, low fat yogurt. You need to continue to be on liquid diet until 3 weeks after surgery. Then, progress slowly to solid foods by steadily increasing the consistency over the next 2-3 months. Once you are on solid foods, abide by the following guidelines:

• Because of decrease in capacity of stomach, your diet will be much lesser than before surgery, consisting merely of 4 to 8 tablespoons. So, plan your meals and eat on regularly scheduled times.

• Take high protein foods instead to taking diet rich in sugar and fat.

• Chew the food properly otherwise you will upset your stomach.

• Stop eating, the moment you feel full.

• Avoid very hot or cold beverages.

Foods Forbidden after the Surgery

Post surgery, you can no longer eat:

• Fatty foods such as Butter, oils, margarine, sour cream, gravy, bacon, salad dressing, sausage, chips, bologna, salami, cream cheese, hard cheeses, mayonnaise. These may cause acid refluxes and dumping syndrome so it is essential to avoid them.

• Red meat, high-fiber foods, sugary foods, and milk as these can also cause dumping syndrome so you need to avoid them.

• Milk or milk sugar (lactose) is digested in the small intestine, so after gastric bypass surgery, you can no longer digest them. Their intake may lead to bloating or vomiting.

• Avoid foodstuffs that stick, such as bread, buns, cheese and rice that are clumped together, pasta (mainly if it is overcooked), macaroni and peanut butter.

• Finally, avoid crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, skin of vegetables and fruits, nuts and popcorn.