Gastric bypass diet

By Weight Loss Consultant • Related • Filed Under

Gastric bypass surgery is an extreme weight loss solution undertaken by some who are found by physicians to be morbidly obese. Gastric bypass surgery can help the morbidly obese lose weight quickly and can help to right a lot of physical ailments associated with obesity. But having the surgery is only the first step in a lifelong journey of weight stabilization.

After the surgery, patients are never able to eat the way they once did. Doing so can cause extreme illness and can cause weight gain. During gastric bypass surgery, the size of the patient’s stomach is reduced to the size of an egg and part of the intestine is, “bypassed.” This means that the patient cannot consume very much food and, when they do consume food, it leaves the body much faster.

Since the stomach is so small, and food passes through the patient’s body so quickly, it is important that the correct post gastric bypass diet is followed. This ensures that the patient gets the right kind of food and nutrients to sustain their metabolism, organs, and energy.

Immediately post-surgery, patients will work with a nutritionist and follow a liquid diet. From there they will progress to pureed foods (like baby foods) and then soft foods like ground meat and fruit. It is important to stick to the plan outlined by the nutritionist during this time since any deviation could cause nausea, bloating and diarrhea.

Once the nutritionist has given them the thumbs up, gastric bypass patients are able to progress to solid food consumption. This is where it really gets tricky. Again, a nutritionist will give patients a list of food suggestions, but for the occasional dinner out and family gearing, patients need to know what their boundaries are. If you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, keep the following tips in mind when dining out or in an environment you don’t control:

  1. Small portions. Remember, the stomach of a gastric bypass patient is reduced to the size of an egg. No serving should ever be larger than an egg and, really, they should always be slightly smaller so the stomach does not feel uncomfortable.
  2. Avoid fatty foods. Not only might high-fat food cause physical discomfort, it also may result in weight gain. These foods also typically have few nutrients.
  3. Avoid foods that are high in sugar. Foods high in sugar typically have no nutritional value and should be avoided.
  4. Eat fruit and or vegetable with every meal. While multi vitamins will be taken post surgery, it is still important to get nutrients straight from the source.
  5. Be sure to keep the dairy. Strong bones depend on calcium and weight loss can affect your bones so choose low fat, low calorie dairy products- but make sure to keep the dairy in the diet.
  6. Always ask the waiter/host what the ingredients are in the prepared food you are about to eat. After your surgery, you may find that you’ve developed sensitivity to certain foods and spices. It is important that you avoid meals that contain these items so that you don’t end up feeling ill.
  7. Drink water while you eat. Aside from the fact that water will keep you from getting dehydrated, water will also make you full faster thereby preventing you from overindulging.

The most important aspect of a post surgery gastric bypass diet is to discuss your eating habits with your physician and nutritionist. Their knowledge, training and experience with hundreds of other patients will prove invaluable and will make your transition into healthy eating a whole lot easier.

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  1. Comment by Marie on 8 July 2009:

    Oh, how I shudder when I read about extreme weight loss procedures such as surgery. It is SO unnecessary! I find myself trying to convince people to consider harmless alternatives such as the book by Jon Gabriel. It is brilliant and a must read for everybody.

    The included CD is good too, but I have found the nevereverdiet meditations are more effective for me. They address many life issues that can contribute to weight problems. Combine them with the essential knowledge gleaned from the book and you are on a real winner.

    I firmly agree with Jon Gabriel that weight issues all stem from our beliefs and habits and that you must get your head into the right place before your body will change. You can teach your body to want to be slim. And then, the change is easy and automatic.

    Love
    Marie

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