The changes made to your gastrointestinal tract will require permanent
changes in your eating habits that must be followed for successful weight
loss in your new life after bariatric surgery. Post-surgery dietary guidelines
will vary by bariatric surgeon. You may hear about post-surgery guidelines
different from the ones you receive. It is important to remember that
these guidelines will be different depending on the surgeon and type of
procedure. What is most important is that you follow your surgeon's
guidelines. The following are some of the generally accepted dietary guidelines
for a healthy diet after bariatric surgery:
- When you start eating solid food, it is important to chew your food thoroughly
and eat very slowly. It is important to wait two to three minutes after
swallowing before putting the next bite of food in your mouth. You will
not be able to digest steaks or other chunks of meat if they are not ground
or chewed thoroughly.
- Don't drink fluids while eating. They will make you feel full before
you have eaten enough food. Fluids consumed with meals can cause vomiting
and dumping syndrome, and can lead to feeling hungry sooner after a meal.
- Don't eat desserts and other items with sugar if they have more than
3 to 5 grams per serving size.
- Avoid carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes,
foods high in fat, and foods that have no nutritional value.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Limit snacking between meals. Eating after bariatric surgery will be much
different than before