Diet After Gastric Bypass Surgery

A diet after gastric bypass surgery typically involves foods that help the body heal after the procedure followed by a low-fat eating plan. People who undergo this type of weight loss surgery can expect to eat differently than before having the bypass.

The liquid phase helps the body heal.

Gastric bypass surgery is an invasive procedure that is superior to other forms of weight loss surgeries, because it is safer and recovery time is shorter.

The surgeon creates a pouch in the upper part of the stomach and separates it from the lower part of the stomach. The pouch is then connected directly to the small intestine beneath the duodenum. The stomach is still present and it still functions to release digestive juices, but no food enters the lower part of the organ.

The pouch can hold about one ounce of food because it is only about the size of a walnut. The patient does not absorb as many calories from the foods that are eaten because they never enter the lower part of the stomach nor do they enter the upper part of the small intestine, the duodenum. Instead, food moves from the small pouch directly to the jejunum, the second section of the small intestine. The patient loses weight in two ways:

• Takes in significantly smaller portions of foods
• Absorbs fewer calories

The weight loss requires behavioral changes in addition to the physical changes. The most affected area of life is diet.

A typical diet after gastric bypass surgery goes through four distinct stages. The healing process takes a few weeks in many cases, making ingesting solid food uncomfortable and undesirable for the patient. During the first part of the new eating regimen, the patient has to go on a liquid diet.

• Clear liquids
• Semi-liquid
• Semi-solid
• Solid food

The bariatric clinic offers detailed guidelines for patients to follow. The program may follow the four stages but some cases may vary according to the patient's specific needs.

The clear liquid stage can last a few days because the body requires healing time after the procedure. During this stage of the diet after gastric bypass surgery, the patient can expect to have the following:

• Broth
• Sugar-free gelatin liquid
• Juice
• Water
• Flat diet soda

Carbonated liquids are not allowed, so any diet soda has to be free of carbon bubbles before ingesting. This is the most challenging stage of the diet because it is very restrictive, but many patients find the notion of eating too uncomfortable during this phase. The liquid diet can last a couple days, but some may have to stay on clear liquids longer before moving on to the semi-liquid phase.

The semi-liquid stage involves eating foods the consistency of baby food. The bariatric clinic may recommend that patients add nonfat dry milk to foods and beverages to ensure they get enough protein. Some foods that can be eaten during the semi-liquid phase include but are not limited to:

• Apple sauce (unsweetened)
• Mashed potatoes
• Fruit and yogurt shakes made in a blender
• Cottage cheese
• Breakfast shakes
• Thin hot cereals
  • Cream of wheat
  • Oatmeal
  • Grits
• Blended milk-based soups
• Pureed meats
• Pureed beans
  • Lima
  • Kidney
  • Pinto
  • Black beans
  • Lentils
• Pureed casseroles

The semi-solid stage typically begins about one month after surgery or as early as three weeks after the procedure. The bariatric clinic usually instructs patients to introduce one food at a time in order to see whether they can tolerate each or not. Foods may include:

• Eggs (except fried)
• Limited amount of casseroles
• Chopped poultry or fish
• Cooked vegetables without skin
• Canned fruits
• Crackers
• Bread

After the semi-solid phase, dieters can begin to add solid foods into the program. Each food needs to be introduced systematically to ensure that each is tolerated. During the solid food stage, the following may be introduced:

• Raw vegetables
• Raw fruits
• Lean red meat

Dieters should be able to eat foods without using a blender and without chopping items into small bits. However, it is important to chew foods thoroughly and to eat very slowly since the stomach fills very quickly.

The specific instructions for following a bypass eating plan after surgery are made using a case-by-case approach. The outline presented here offers an idea of what you can expect to eat after having the procedure. The information is not designed as an outline for you to follow, and those who have not had the procedure should never follow an eating plan for post gastric bypass procedure.

• What Can I Eat On a Detox Diet
• Top Ten Worst Foods
• Fruits and Vegetables that Lower Blood Pressure
• Fast Food Statistics
• Healthy Food Myths Quiz

• The Lemonade Diet
• Weight Watchers Points Calculators
• 1200 Calorie Menus
• Weight Watchers Points
• Weight Watchers Restaurant Points

• Gastric Bypass Versus Lapband
• Diet for Gastric Bypass
• Weight Loss Surgery
• Side Effects of Obesity Surgery
• MedWell Program