Nutrition Plans After Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery benefits many people who are experience obesity. However, weight loss surgery is not a quick way to lose weight. It takes both time and commitment. It also requires patients to include daily exercise and good nutrition. Before surgery, the doctor will advise patients to remember that the surgery is not enough to lose weight. The doctor may also recommend a dietitian, who can help a patient learn what kinds of foods to eat and how to cook.

Following surgery, there will be strict dietary guidelines that must be followed. Too much food and the wrong kinds of food can damage the new stomach and cause problems with healing. The first two weeks, patients can only have clear liquids such as water, fruit juices and clear broth. Pureed foods such as skinless chicken and fish, peas, mashed potatoes and low fat yogurt and pudding are adequate for the third and fourth weeks after surgery. IN the fifth week, most weight loss surgery patients can add tender cooked foods in very small portions. They must be very careful to chew everything very well and to stop eating when full.

After the stomach heals and the patient learns how much food their new stomach can take, new solid foods can be added. New foods can be included. Also, liquids will pass very quickly through the system and does not have been restricted like food. However, it is not recommended to drink any fluids during mealtime. It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day following this surgery. Most patients find that solid foods are difficult during the first couple of hours in the morning. A couple of glasses of water are recommended if this becomes a problem.

When adding solid foods to the diet, it is extremely important to chew everything very thoroughly. This is so that food does not become an obstruction. Most patients are only able to take in ¼ cup or 2 ounces of food at a time. It is important for weight loss surgery patients to learn when to stop eating, as they do not feel hungry.

There are some foods that should be avoided completely after weight loss surgery. Many of these foods can cause blockage or may have difficulty passing. These off-limit foods include citrus fruits, dried meats and fruits, shrimp, peanut butter, rice, nuts, coconut, popcorn, fried and greasy foods, fibrous vegetables such as celery, corn and asparagus and pasta and doughy breads. In addition, patient should avoid any foods with little nutritional value or those that list sugar as one of the first three ingredients.

Foods that make good nutritional sense are important to eat everyday. It is vital to eat healthy meals that contain adequate nutrients. It is recommended that weight loss surgery patients consume one to two servings of fresh fruit everyday, in addition to two to three servings of fresh vegetables. One small portion of low sugar cold or hot cereal is allowed as well as ½ to 1 slice of toasted whole wheat or rye bread. Many patients are unable to tolerate meat after surgery, but for those who can, only one to two ounces is allowed each day. Meats must be very lean with no fat or skin. It is also important to consume low fat yogurt and skim milk each day for the calcium.