Undergoing bariatric surgery is a complicated process which needs a lot of care after the surgery as well. One must follow the dietary guidelines in order to recover fast and regain health. Following the strict guidelines seem difficult in the initial days, but one gets used to it and starts enjoying it when included it as a part of one’s daily routine.
Dietary Guidelines
Here are a few general guidelines which one should follow after bariatric surgery:
· Take balanced meals in small portions at regular intervals
· Follow a low calorie diet and reduce intake of fats and sweets
· Chew small bites of food thoroughly to help in easy digestion
· Avoid food items which can’t be easily chewed like pork and steak.
· Avoid taking carbonated beverages as it can fill air into your pouch leading to discomfort.
· Balance your calorie intake between 300 and 600 calories a day by increasing the intake of thin and thicker liquids
· Daily calorie consumption in any food form should never go beyond 1000 calories.
What to follow for intake of fluids?
For the intake of fluids, you can’t just take anything and everything. There are certain guidelines which one needs to follow in the intake of fluids as well.
· Intake of water intake and low-calorie or calorie-free fluids should be high for avoiding dehydration. Intake of caffeinated liquids is strictly prohibited.
· Take 1 cup of fluid after each small meal for about six to eight times a day
· Drink at least 2 liters of fluids a day. Initially, it may be difficult, but slowly one gets used to it.
· Avoid intake of any alcoholic beverages as it gets absorbed in the system at a faster speed after surgery which makes one sedative.
What food items should be taken for protein?
A person after bariatric surgery needs a lot of protein to preserve muscle tissue in the body. Some of the food items recommended include eggs, seafood, fish, tuna, poultry, soy milk, tofu, yogurt, cottage cheese and other milk products. The recommended dose of protein is 65 to 75 grams of protein on a daily basis.
Supplements to be taken after bariatric surgery
Here is a brief description of the supplements which are recommended to be taken after the surgery to help the body to recover fast:
Multivitamins- Multivitamins with a minimum of 400 mcg of folic acid, selenium, copper, zinc and 18 mg of iron are recommended to be taken. It is recommended to take at least two tablets daily after surgery for 3 months.
Calcium Supplement- The recommended dosage of calcium is 1,200 to 2,000 mg on a daily basis to avoid bone disease and calcium deficiency in the body.
Vitamin D Supplement- It should be taken with the calcium supplement and doctors recommend a dosage of 800 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D each day.
Vitamin B12 Supplement- Doctors recommend a intake of 500 mcg of vitamin B on a daily basis.
Other Supplements- In complicated cases, the patient may need to take some additional supplements of folic acid and iron. It is specifically recommended for menstruating women.
Diet Succession after Bariatric Surgery
Diet in the Hospital
A clear liquid diet is given immediately after surgery. Gradually, the patient is given thicker liquids after getting discharged from the hospital.
Diet after Two Weeks of Surgery
After two weeks, the patient can be given blended and puréed foods. To meet the protein requirements, liquid supplement drinks or powders are given during this period.
As the stomach size is reduced to less than 1/4 cup after surgery, it is recommended to take only two to three sips or bites at a time and then give a 10 minute gap before taking more. In case you don’t follow this and eat quickly or more, you may feel nausea or pain.
Diet between Week Two to Four of Surgery
The doctor allows the intake of puréed and soft foods during this time however; care must be taken to take everything in small bites. The recommended food items include applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, hot cereals, caned fruits, mashed potatoes and scrambled egg whites. Bread in all forms and meats should be completely avoided.
Meal Plan for Weeks Two to Eight till Two Months after surgery
The caloric intake during this period should be limited to 500 calories a day divided into small portions of six to eight meals. Recommended intake is 1/2 cup for liquids and ¼ cup for solids.
Sample Menu
This sample menu can be adjusted according to one’s taste and tolerance:
Breakfast- Take ¼ cup hot cereal prepared with non-fat milk.
Mid-Morning- Take ½ cup of non-fat milk.
Late Morning- Take two scrambled egg whites
Lunch- Take 1/2 cup of low-fat chicken noodle soup
Mid-Afternoon- Take 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
Late Afternoon- Take 1/4 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt
Dinner- Take 2 ounces of lean ground meat with 1/4 cup puréed or well-cooked vegetables
Bedtime Snack- Take 1/4 cup of non-fat milk
You can add 1 tablespoon of non-fat dry milk powder to each 1/4 cup nonfat milk for getting additional protein.
It is also recommended to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals.
Meal Plan for Two to Six Months after surgery
During this phase, the patient should take 900 to 1,000 calories and a minimum of 65 to 75 grams of protein a day.
Sample Menu
Breakfast- Take 1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute and 1/2 cup hot cereal
Mid-Morning- Take 1/2 cup nonfat milk
Late Morning- Take 1/2 cup chopped melon
Lunch- Take 1/2 cup low-fat chicken noodle soup followed by 2 saltine crackers
Two Saltine crackers
Mid-Afternoon- Take 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese and 1/4 cup canned fruit packed in water or juice
Late Afternoon- Take 1/2 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt
Dinner- Take 2 ounces lean meat or fish, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes and 1/4 cup pureed or well-cooked vegetables
Bedtime Snack- Take 1/2 cup nonfat milk
This sample menu is recommended for eight small meals per day. It is also recommended to take 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluid between meals.
Recommended Meal Plan for Six Months Post-Surgery and Beyond
· Take 900 to 1,000 calories per day
· Take three meals and reduce snacks to two snacks per day
· Stop taking high-protein liquid supplement drinks
· Take different variety of low-fat, low-calorie and low sugar foods
· Avoid taking raw vegetables, dried fruits, fresh fruits with skin, breads, nuts, popcorn and red meats if not easily tolerated
Long-term Dietary Guidelines
Going further, you can increase the consistency and variety of foods in your diet. However, the intake of low-fat, low-calorie and low sugar food items are always recommended. And, you also keep a watch on the total calories taken in a day. For p[roper hydration, it is recommended to drink a minimum of 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids on a daily basis.
Following the above mentioned tips, one can easily recover and gain good health in a short span of time after bariatric surgery.
Here are a few general guidelines which one should follow after bariatric surgery:
· Take balanced meals in small portions at regular intervals
· Follow a low calorie diet and reduce intake of fats and sweets
· Chew small bites of food thoroughly to help in easy digestion
· Avoid food items which can’t be easily chewed like pork and steak.
· Avoid taking carbonated beverages as it can fill air into your pouch leading to discomfort.
· Balance your calorie intake between 300 and 600 calories a day by increasing the intake of thin and thicker liquids
· Daily calorie consumption in any food form should never go beyond 1000 calories.
What to follow for intake of fluids?
For the intake of fluids, you can’t just take anything and everything. There are certain guidelines which one needs to follow in the intake of fluids as well.
· Intake of water intake and low-calorie or calorie-free fluids should be high for avoiding dehydration. Intake of caffeinated liquids is strictly prohibited.
· Take 1 cup of fluid after each small meal for about six to eight times a day
· Drink at least 2 liters of fluids a day. Initially, it may be difficult, but slowly one gets used to it.
· Avoid intake of any alcoholic beverages as it gets absorbed in the system at a faster speed after surgery which makes one sedative.
What food items should be taken for protein?
A person after bariatric surgery needs a lot of protein to preserve muscle tissue in the body. Some of the food items recommended include eggs, seafood, fish, tuna, poultry, soy milk, tofu, yogurt, cottage cheese and other milk products. The recommended dose of protein is 65 to 75 grams of protein on a daily basis.
Supplements to be taken after bariatric surgery
Here is a brief description of the supplements which are recommended to be taken after the surgery to help the body to recover fast:
Multivitamins- Multivitamins with a minimum of 400 mcg of folic acid, selenium, copper, zinc and 18 mg of iron are recommended to be taken. It is recommended to take at least two tablets daily after surgery for 3 months.
Calcium Supplement- The recommended dosage of calcium is 1,200 to 2,000 mg on a daily basis to avoid bone disease and calcium deficiency in the body.
Vitamin D Supplement- It should be taken with the calcium supplement and doctors recommend a dosage of 800 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D each day.
Vitamin B12 Supplement- Doctors recommend a intake of 500 mcg of vitamin B on a daily basis.
Other Supplements- In complicated cases, the patient may need to take some additional supplements of folic acid and iron. It is specifically recommended for menstruating women.
Diet Succession after Bariatric Surgery
Diet in the Hospital
A clear liquid diet is given immediately after surgery. Gradually, the patient is given thicker liquids after getting discharged from the hospital.
Diet after Two Weeks of Surgery
After two weeks, the patient can be given blended and puréed foods. To meet the protein requirements, liquid supplement drinks or powders are given during this period.
As the stomach size is reduced to less than 1/4 cup after surgery, it is recommended to take only two to three sips or bites at a time and then give a 10 minute gap before taking more. In case you don’t follow this and eat quickly or more, you may feel nausea or pain.
Diet between Week Two to Four of Surgery
The doctor allows the intake of puréed and soft foods during this time however; care must be taken to take everything in small bites. The recommended food items include applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, hot cereals, caned fruits, mashed potatoes and scrambled egg whites. Bread in all forms and meats should be completely avoided.
Meal Plan for Weeks Two to Eight till Two Months after surgery
The caloric intake during this period should be limited to 500 calories a day divided into small portions of six to eight meals. Recommended intake is 1/2 cup for liquids and ¼ cup for solids.
Sample Menu
This sample menu can be adjusted according to one’s taste and tolerance:
Breakfast- Take ¼ cup hot cereal prepared with non-fat milk.
Mid-Morning- Take ½ cup of non-fat milk.
Late Morning- Take two scrambled egg whites
Lunch- Take 1/2 cup of low-fat chicken noodle soup
Mid-Afternoon- Take 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese
Late Afternoon- Take 1/4 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt
Dinner- Take 2 ounces of lean ground meat with 1/4 cup puréed or well-cooked vegetables
Bedtime Snack- Take 1/4 cup of non-fat milk
You can add 1 tablespoon of non-fat dry milk powder to each 1/4 cup nonfat milk for getting additional protein.
It is also recommended to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals.
Meal Plan for Two to Six Months after surgery
During this phase, the patient should take 900 to 1,000 calories and a minimum of 65 to 75 grams of protein a day.
Sample Menu
Breakfast- Take 1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute and 1/2 cup hot cereal
Mid-Morning- Take 1/2 cup nonfat milk
Late Morning- Take 1/2 cup chopped melon
Lunch- Take 1/2 cup low-fat chicken noodle soup followed by 2 saltine crackers
Two Saltine crackers
Mid-Afternoon- Take 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese and 1/4 cup canned fruit packed in water or juice
Late Afternoon- Take 1/2 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt
Dinner- Take 2 ounces lean meat or fish, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes and 1/4 cup pureed or well-cooked vegetables
Bedtime Snack- Take 1/2 cup nonfat milk
This sample menu is recommended for eight small meals per day. It is also recommended to take 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluid between meals.
Recommended Meal Plan for Six Months Post-Surgery and Beyond
· Take 900 to 1,000 calories per day
· Take three meals and reduce snacks to two snacks per day
· Stop taking high-protein liquid supplement drinks
· Take different variety of low-fat, low-calorie and low sugar foods
· Avoid taking raw vegetables, dried fruits, fresh fruits with skin, breads, nuts, popcorn and red meats if not easily tolerated
Long-term Dietary Guidelines
Going further, you can increase the consistency and variety of foods in your diet. However, the intake of low-fat, low-calorie and low sugar food items are always recommended. And, you also keep a watch on the total calories taken in a day. For p[roper hydration, it is recommended to drink a minimum of 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids on a daily basis.
Following the above mentioned tips, one can easily recover and gain good health in a short span of time after bariatric surgery.
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