Bariatric Surgery Diet
Bariatric surgery involves taking a portion of the stomach and creating a small pouch, which is connected to a portion of the small intestine. This can be done using a band or staples or other surgical procedure. Because your stomach has undergone surgery, it is important not to put stress on any staples or incisions that may be present. Thus, it’s important you follow a strict bariatric surgery diet post op. For the first few days a liquid diet (soups, broths) will be allowed. This will be followed by a week or two of only pureed foods, then a few weeks of soft foods. With each of these, only a few ounces per meal may be ingested as to not stretch the stomach.
After approximately eight weeks (although this varies from person to person), your bariatric surgery dietwill resemble a relatively normal diet with a few restrictions. However, these restrictions will more than likely be life-long. There are foods you will need to avoid. For example, excessively fatty or sweet foods can move through the digestive system too quickly in what is known as “dumping syndrome” and cause discomfort, diarrhea or vomiting. Carbonated beverages fill the stomach with air, stretching it out and causing discomfort. Similar symptoms can occur if you eat high fiber foods containing a lot of bulk.
In addition to avoiding certain foods, eating habits must change as well. After bariatric surgery your stomach will be capable of holding only a few ounces of food at a time, so your meals will be smaller. You should not drink beverages with your meals, making sure you drink either 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating.
Because you are eating less food (and absorbing less during digestion) it is important to make the food you eat as nutritiously dense as possible. Weakness or exhaustion can set when there is a nutrition deficit. In addition to eating good foods, vitamin and mineral supplements are often recommended.