The Bariatric Surgery Diet
By Eddie Tobey, Thu Dec 8th
After bariatric surgery, the new and very small stomach willoften only hold about an ounce. For the first week aftersurgery, the patient will only be able to tolerate nutritiousliquids. During the second week, pureed, high-protein foods suchas cottage cheese, yogurt, and soft-cooked eggs may be added.After that, the patient may add one solid food at a time, suchas well-cooked vegetables, fish, or chicken. It is crucial thatthe patient chew this more solid food very carefully, eatingonly a few tablespoonfuls at a sitting.
Post-surgery, patients should avoid high carbohydrate foods suchas chips, pretzels, breads, rice, and pasta, as hey expand andcan cause a potentially dangerous blockage. Lactose is alsodifficult to digest and may cause nausea, cramps, gas, ordiarrhea. Patients who love milk should wait to reintroduce ituntil the third week post-procedure.
Protein is a vitally important nutrient, so a good rule of thumbis to eat protein first, then follow with fruits and vegetables.This will ensure that the daily minimum of 60 grams of proteinis consumed. Patients may still need to take extra protein inthe form of a liquid, powder, or protein bars. Additionally,patients will have a lifelong regimen of vitamin and mineralsupplements post-surgery.
Failure to follow these dietary guidelines after bariatricsurgery could lead to potentially serious complications. Earlydumping syndrome, which is generally by overfilling the pouch,can cause minor symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, andabdominal rumbling or more serious ones like low blood pressure,faintness, sweating, and anxiety. Late dumping syndrome, whenfood enters the intestine too rapidly, can cause hypoglycemia,sweating, rapid pulse, anxiety, and occasionally confusion.
About the author:Bariatric SurgeryInfo provides detailed information on bariatric surgery,including cost, patients, centers, diet, financing, andcomplications, as well as specific procedures like laparoscopicand bypass surgery. Bariatric Surgery Info is the sister site ofGastric BypassSurgery Web.
