Diet after weight loss surgery

Diet After Weight Loss Surgery

After weight loss surgery patients start to see the weight loss immediately. During the first couple of weeks post-surgery, a diet recommended by the bariatric surgeon must be followed. Typically these initial diets are very restrictive to allow the body time to adjust to the smaller stomach pouch and the malabsorptive aspect of bariatric surgery procedures. As the body adjusts to eating less, patients can begin adding more variety into their diet. It is at this point that diet following weight loss surgery can become harder to stick to.

It is vital for bariatric patients to ensure their body receives the correct nutrients and vitamins from a smaller amount of food. Bariatric surgeons may recommend patients supplement their diet with vitamin pills and this should be discussed with the patient during discharge from the hospital/clinic.

Weight loss after bariatric surgery is initially rapid. Within a few weeks, weight loss will become more gradual and patients averagely see a weight loss of 2-4lbs a week. It is not unusual for weight to plateau before the patient has reached their target weight. Don't panic. Subtle changes to diet can kick-start the weight loss and 70% of patients do reach their weight loss goal.

Here are some things you can do to ensure you stay on track and help your body loose weight while maintaining a healthy balanced diet:

• Be realistic - If you won't have time to prepare a meal from scratch every night of the week - don't plan to. Prepare ahead and cook extra to freeze in individual portions.

• Get organized - Plan a weekly menu and buy only the ingredients you need. Having a menu prevents going off track and makes planning for meals easier.

• Find foods you enjoy - It is common for patients to change their diet drastically after weight loss surgery. If your new diet plan eliminates all the food you enjoy it will be harder to stick to. Find healthier ways of cooking forbidden favorites -bake instead of frying, use fruit puree as sweetener, switch to wholegrain.

• Vary meals - Any diet is harder to stick to if food becomes routine and after weight loss surgery, your food choices an be more restrictive as your body may find certain foods hard to process. Make changes to your menu plans weekly and try to avoid eating the same meals repetitively, experiment with herbs and spices and try a new food once a week.

• Drink water - drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will prevent dehydration and will also help with weight loss and flushing toxins from the body. After weight loss surgery it is advised that patients avoid drinking with meals to avoid overfilling the stomach. Drink a glass of water half an hour before you eat and continue sipping water throughout the day.
  

• Have fun with food - Post-weight loss surgery it can be hard for patients to find pleasure in food. Try to concentrate on each meal and enjoy the taste of food rather than focusing on how much you're eating. If the food you're eating is within the guidelines given by the bariatric surgeon, is healthy and balanced it will not compromise weight loss. Try to eat with family or friends and relax.
  

Remember - if in doubt about any aspect of diet or nutrition after weight loss surgery, your bariatric surgeon will be able to answer any questions.  

Find a bariatric surgeon in your area to learn more about the diet after weight loss surgery.