Gastric Bypass Surgery Diet
Following a proper gastric bypass surgery diet after your procedure is critical. For the first one to two days you will be allowed to eat nothing. This is followed for one or two days of a liquid diet. Having little or nothing in the stomach for the first few days after surgery helps the stomach heal properly. For three or four weeks following surgery you will be directed to eat nothing but pureed foods followed by approximately eight weeks of soft foods. You can eat several meals daily but will be encouraged to keep each meal small (e.g., not more than a few ounces).
The types of foods after gastric bypass surgery are important. Because you are not eating as much (and with some types of surgeries not absorbing as much), the food you consume should be filled with nutrients and protein. This will help your body get proper nourishment. In many cases, taking a vitamin supplement is recommended.
It is advised to avoid drinking within 30 minutes of eating. Beverages will fill your stomach with fluid rather than food and cause you to fill up too quickly and may put undue stress on your stomach. Make sure to completely avoid carbonated beverages because they will fill your stomach with gas.
After you have healed and begin eating foods more varied in texture you may gradually eat fewer meals that are slightly larger. However, it will be important to keep your meals small, otherwise your stomach may continue to stretch and render your surgery ineffective. Also, you will have to eat more slowly and chew your food to a finer consistency than you did pre-surgery. Continue to drink beverages at times other than mealtimes. It is important not to continue eating many small meals because this can increase your overall calorie intake and diminish overall weight loss.
There are also types of foods you should avoid eating after your weight loss surgery. Excessively sweet or fatty foods can move too quickly through the digestive system. This is called ‘dumping syndrome’ and is associated with diarrhea, dizziness, rapid heart rate and shaking. Foods high in fiber may create too much bulk in the stomach and should be eaten in moderation. Fatty foods can cause reflux or other stomach discomfort. Also, try introducing new foods into your diet gradually if you’re on a gastric bypass surgery diet so if you develop intolerance you can more easily identify which food is problematic and avoid eating it.