| Diet after Bariatric Surgery Any patient who undergoes a bariatric procedure is taken to an operative recovery after surgery, and later to a regular room for a stay in the hospital from 2 to 7 days because there is a need to monitor how your body responds to the procedure. Back at home, you will need to begin with adjustments to your lifestyle, such as modifying your diet after bariatric surgery.
After 2 weeks and up to 6 weeks, patients are able to retake their job or continue with routine activities. If your are considering a bariatric procedure, now you know that one of the non-stated requisites for these types of surgeries is patience, because even after recovery you will have to wait for at least one year before noticing the results.
Depending on your weight before surgery, the progress to lose weight may take up to 5 years, if you follow your diet after bariatric surgery. In addition, you will need to exercise daily, or at least walk for 15 to 30 minutes, resting for awhile if necessary, and always use the stairs when you can.
Diet after bariatric surgery requires less food and more vitamins or dietary supplements. Another consideration to keep in mind is chewing your foods well and drinking any liquid slowly. Liquids are recommended after the procedure, then as your recovery progresses you must begin to incorporate solids, pureeing them.
Generally, you will need to wait for about 9 to 11 weeks before including solid food in your diet after bariatric surgery. The doctor will recommend lower sugar and low fat foods. Dietary supplements should be taken because your digestive system will not absorb all the nutrients from the foods you eat.
Because of the reduced size, your new pouch is not only limited to accept small portions of food but also feeling discomfort or aversion for some food you liked, sometimes producing vomiting. Once again, it is a matter of patience to identify the foods your pouch does not tolerate and try again these foods again later.
There are also several foods and drinks that you simply must take off your diet after a bariatric surgery, including carbonated beverages, red meats, fried foods, breads, pasta, rice and milk products, although you can substitute these last ones with non-fat or skim versions.
In addition to your diet after a bariatric surgery, never drink liquids with your meals, and wait for at least 30 minutes after a meal to drink non-carbonated beverages. Alcohol is out of the question and must be limited as much as possible. |
