Experts say that a weight-loss surgery should be the last option for losing weight. Though people assume weight-loss surgery, also known as gastric bypass surgery, to be the quickest and easiest ways to shedding weight, it is quiet the contrary. Experts opine that a weight-loss surgery can have a huge impact on your life thereby curtailing you within the ambits of mind and lifestyle change.
Therefore, a weight-loss surgery changes the way you eat, what you eat and how much quantities you eat. The basic aim of the change in diet patterns is — to minimize the stress on the surgical sites, to aid the healing process and to promote weight loss by helping the body adapt to new patterns of eating.
Immediately after the surgery, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink anything for the next one or two days. Then there are specific patterns of eating one has to stick to such as what to eat, how to eat and how much to eat.
What to Eat After a Weight-Loss Surgery?
The most common foods that are supposed to be consumed immediately after the gastric bypass surgery or the weight-loss surgery are:
- Plenty of Fluids: Experts suggest that fluids or semi-liquid foods (room temperature) can be eaten during the first two days after the surgery. Plenty of fluids whether in the form of juices, milk, soups and cereals can keep you from getting hungry and dehydrated.
- Food Puree: Diluted foods whether in the form of a smooth paste or thick liquid is to be eaten for the next 3-4 weeks after the surgery or as suggested by your doctor or dietitian.
- Soft Foods: Foods that are soft in nature such as cooked vegetables, diced meat and fresh meats go easy on the stomach thereby reducing the stress on the stomach thereby helping it to recuperate more easily and quickly.
- Protein-Rich Foods: Eat plenty of proteins to help recuperate better from the surgery as proteins have a repairing function. Low-fat dairy products such as cheese, milk and eggs are recommended.
How to Eat After a Weight-Loss Surgery?
In order to get maximum benefits from foods and fluids you are consuming, there is some specificity in relation to the foods you’d be eating after a weight-loss surgery.
Follow these guidelines carefully to avoid stomach problems and to get the maximum nutrients from the foods you’re consuming:
- Chew Slowly: Experts suggest that each meal should take about 30-60 minutes to get over with. This implies savoring every little bite and chewing thoroughly to aid the digestion process.
- Stop When Full: It is also suggested to immediately stop eating once you feel full or it will lead to vomiting tendencies.
- Sip Slowly: It has also been recommended to sip on fluids in-between small meals but not during the meals.
- Don’t Mix Solids With Liquids: Your stomach wouldn’t be able to take more. So drink water either 30 minutes prior to a meal or 30 minutes later.
- Try Foods One at a Time: After the surgery, the stomach becomes more vulnerable to change where certain foods can cause nausea, vomiting or pain. Foods that can cause discomfort to your stomach are —carbonated drinks, milk, pasta, raw vegetables and meats. Also chew properly before swallowing the foods.
How Much to Eat After a Weight-Loss Surgery?
Experts recommend 3 full meals ideally for people having undergone the gastric by pass surgery or the weight loss surgery. You can start with 6 small meals that will graduate into full meals and then finally 3 meals in a day.
Further guidelines as to how much you should eat after a weight-loss surgery are listed below:
- Eat Small Quantities: Experts suggest that you eat limited amounts of foods as our stomach cannot take more than 1 ounce of food after the surgery. Though in a matter of 3 months, your stomach maybe able to accommodate 1 or 1 and half cups of food, it advisable not to force food in because that usually leads to pain, nausea and vomiting apart from adding the calories.
- Balanced Diet: Focus on a balanced diet with maximum intake of proteins that will have a healing effect on the surgical sites.
- 3 Full Meals a Day: Take 3 full meals a day with plenty of fluids in-between the meals but not during the meals.
- Limit Fatty and Sugary Foods: Avoid or limit the intake of such foods which can only contribute in increasing the calories instead of providing nutrients.
Other Tips
There are other things you need to stick quiet diligently in order to recover from the surgery and adapt to a lower body weight such as:
- Exercise regularly
- Minimize unhealthy snacking
- Take vitamins and mineral supplements if recommended
- Go for regular follow-ups to the doctor or dietitian
Much to what people believe, weight loss surgery is equally difficult to live with than fat itself. Take heed of the above guidelines to ensure quick healing and better adaptability of the stomach to foods and drinks.
