POST OPERATIVE DIET AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY

Bariatric surgery is done to help you lose excess weight and reduce your risk of potentially life - threatening weight - related health problems including type 2 diabetes, HTN, stroke, sleep apnoea, heart disease, cancer etc. It could be an option for if :

  • Your BMI is 40 or higher.
  • Your BMI is 35 - 39.9 and you have a serious weight related health problems such as type 2 DM, hypertension, dyslipidemia etc.

TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY : Most weight loss surgeries  today are performed using minimally invasive techniques. The most common bariatric surgery procedures are Gastric bypass (Roux - en - Y), Mini gastric bypass, Sleeve gastrectomy, Gastric band and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.

DIET PLAN (P re - surgery) : The guidelines may vary from person to person and depending upon the type of surgery.

- Avoid binge eating.

- Eliminate high sugar beverages.

- High CHO foods must be avoided.

- Eliminate saturated fat from your diet.

- Recommend high protein foods.

- Fluids can be taken liberally (2.5 l / day).

- Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages.

DIET PLAN (Post surgery): The diet plan after the surgery consist of 3 stages. All stages stress the importance of controlling your portions and it will help continue to lose weight and prepare for how you will eat for the rest of your life.

Stage 1 : Liquid diet

Following a full liquid diet for the first 3 weeks after surgery will give your body time to heal. The following types of liquids are allowed:

- Skimmed milk, clear soup or broth, unsweetened fruit juices, buttermilk, tender coconut water,       Dal water, green tea, oats water, rice water etc. All liquids must be  very  thin and it should be sipped every 30 minutes.

- Avoid caffeinated, carbonated and sweetened beverages. Also sip very slowly and avoid straws.

 Stage 2 : Semisolid or pureed diet

Semisolid diet consists of food of a thick pudding like consistency which may be blended at home itself.

Spices might irritate the stomach so it would be better to avoid them completely.

From this stage onwards you should take a high protein diet (minimum 70g / day) such as boiled egg whites, low fat curd/ yogurt, skimmed milk, soybean,nuts, chicken, fish etc. Second stage also continued for 3 weeks.

Stage 3 : Solid diet

At this stage, the post - op diet is similar to your pre- surgical diet. Certain items off limits: fried foods, sugars, processed foods, dry fruits, whole dairy products, refined flour based items, white rice, red meat, shell fish etc.

Overtime you can add some of the  excluded items above but always small portions.

Your focus should remain on lean protein, complex CHOes, and healthy fats and portion control is still important.

Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and avoid drinking in between meals.

Drink plenty of oral fluids (2 - 2. 5 l / day) and be physically active each day (30 - 45 minutes physical activity at least 5 days a week).