Becoming familiar with the bariatric diet is one of the things you will need to do prior to having gastric bypass surgery. It does not matter the type of weight loss surgery, all patients follow the same diet. It is important that you know what foods are allowed and what foods are off limits. You will also have to have these foods in your home before you return from the hospital.
The first part of the diet will be clear liquids and this will probably be administered in the hospital for the first day or two following surgery. You will move onto step 2 of the diet before leaving the hospital. This can be protein shakes, baby food or pureed strained foods. You should not be eating anything that needs chewed. Anything that needs chewed is not step 2.
Protein is what is important in the early stages of recovery. It will help you heal and regain your strength. You should have about 60 grams per day. A chewable vitamin is also necessary for all the other nutrients that you need that you cannot get from food. After the first few months, many gastric bypass patients will switch to prenatal vitamins.
Soft foods can be reintroduced back into your diet at about 2 weeks. It is necessary to chew your food thoroughly. I heard a lot about this in my presurgery classes and at that time it does not have much of an impact. But if you do not follow this simple suggestion, you are going to find yourself in severe pain. It is hard to remember to chew the food well, because most people are not used to eating that way. It will only take one time of forgetting and you probably won\’t forget a second time.
After about two months, you should be able to eat most foods. Course meats may to need to be cut into small pieces and soaked in liquid. Your biggest problem will be with sugar. It will more than likely make you feel lightheaded or like you have the flu. Sugar may also cause dumping syndrome. It is best to limit sugar as much as possible.
Do you need more information on the post bariatric surgery diet? Get tips on following the post bariatric surgery diet.
