The Bariatric Surgery Diet:
What You Need to Know
Bariatric surgery is a major decision that needs to be taken carefully. People suffering from obesity and its side effects make this decision after struggling and failing to lose weight through diet and exercise.
It would help if you are committed to a lifestyle change and underwent surgery after consulting a physician. That means foods to eat after bariatric surgery in the right portions, losing weight, and keeping it for life. The process of change must begin before the surgery takes place.
In this article, we will discuss the proper diet after bariatric surgery that needs to be followed.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
If diet and exercise have not worked in the past or if health problems arise from obesity, you may need bariatric surgery. The amount of food that you can eat may be limited in some procedures. In some cases, you will need to undergo a process that works by reducing the ability of the body to absorb nutrients.
As a result of this surgery, the body cannot absorb as many calories as it once could. Besides reducing appetite and hunger, weight-loss surgery can improve fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Things to follow while being on the Bariatric Surgery Diet
The most common question people ask about bariatric surgery is what they can eat afterward. There are many different types of meals you can take.
Weight-loss surgery includes several phases of the diet, each with foods of different types. After your stomach heals, you will be able to eat new kinds of foods though it is still suggested to continue with a healthy intake.
Type of Diet | When to Take |
Phase 1: Clear Liquid Diet | Diet Within 24 Hours |
Full Liquid Diet | Diet Within 2-3 Days |
Diet Within a Week | Soft Diet |
After Discharge | Regular Diet |
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Follow the given different forms of diet explained below:-
Diet Within 24 Hours - Clear Liquid Diet
During the first 24 hours after surgery, you’ll begin drinking clear liquids in the hospital. In this diet, you are mainly focused on staying hydrated and avoiding stomach irritants. There are no restrictions on liquids on this diet. You can intake broth, water, and gelatin that is sugar-free.
Diet Within 2-3 Days - Full Liquid Diet
Approximately one to three days after surgery, you will begin a complete liquid diet. Following weight loss surgery, consuming enough protein is essential to maintain weight loss. In addition to providing your body with energy, protein also helps your muscles build and maintain their mass. You’ll drink milk products, and protein shakes for about 14 days during this diet phase.
Diet Within a Week - Soft Diet
After a liquid diet, you can rebuild your tolerance for solid foods by introducing pureed foods like baby food. Following surgery, you’ll follow a soft diet for three to four weeks. As you move through this phase, prioritising protein and eating foods such as scrambled eggs, hummus, and tuna/chicken salad with low-fat mayo will help you meet your protein requirements.
While you’ll still supplement your diet with protein shakes, they won’t provide all your protein. After surgery, you can gradually challenge yourself by incorporating more healthy food, but you’ll continue consuming protein at each meal. A few grains, as well as soft fruits and vegetables, are among these dense foods.
After Surgery - Regular Diet
As seven weeks pass by after the surgery, you can go back to your regular food intake. You still have to prioritize the information on proteins and fresh vegetables to follow a diet after weight loss surgery
Final Words
Following bariatric surgery, your body needs proper nutrition while the stomach heals. After surgery, the surgeon will progress the patient’s diet from liquids to solid food intake. Personalized diet plans after Bariatric surgery should be discussed with a doctor or dietitian. Following the procedure, a person will have to eat fewer, smaller meals more often.
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