What is a Gastric Bypass Diet
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.
Step 1 of the diet will last for a couple of days and will consist of clear liquid and gelatin. Step 2 will follow and will be introduced before you leave the hospital following your obesity surgery. This step of the diet consists of pureed strained foods, baby food and liquid protein drinks. Foods in this step should not need chewed. If it requires chewing, it doesn’t belong in this step.
Protein is the key. It will help you heal, get your strength back and feel energetic again. You should be consuming about 60 grams per day and about 32 ounces of approved liquids. Vitamins are also very important at this time, since your body is not getting what it needs from food. Most patients start with chewable vitamins and then switch to prenatal vitamins in 3 months.
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.
By the time you have reached the third month following your surgery, you should be eating almost anything that you want in small amounts. Meat may have to be cut into small pieces and soaked to make it less course. Fats and items high in sugar may cause pain and dumping syndrome. You have to limit these items to very small amounts or eliminate them completely. Take it easy and you will soon begin to see many benefits to your new life.
Do you need more information on the post bariatric surgery diet? Get tips on following the post bariatric surgery diet.