Nutrition and Diet after Bariatric Surgery

Nutrition & Diet   There is a popular saying, ‘Don’t live to eat, eat to live’. But many of us live to eat with many different reasons which could be genetic or psychological reasons like emotional weakness …. Most of us enjoy the food we eat- the variety of tastes that different cuisines have. However, food performs important functions in the body other than pampering our taste buds, and is essential for survival, growth, reproduction and for maintaining good health.   Nutrition and diet   The nutritionist will meet you before the bariatric weight loss surgery to advise you which vitamins and supplements that you will need to take post surgery. It is imperative that these supplements be taken in order to maintain energy because food intake is restricted after surgery. The nutritionist will plan your diet to meet your energy requirements according to your work and routine life style.   Changes in diet and habit   Post bariatric surgery, you will remain 7days on a liquid diet and from the 8th day you will be on pureed food till the 15th day of your surgery. From 16th day you will be onto solid foods. The nutritionists will guide you on a diet that will work best for you. Certain food items need to be avoided like carbonated beverages due to post operative immediate nausea affect. Patient must reduce quantity of food and eat 5 small meals in a day rather than eating more at one go. One has to chew food properly and eat slowly. With small size of stomach you can’t overeate. The composition of the food would be tilted towards carbohydrates and proteins. With time, the capacity will increase to half to a whole cup of food. Some patients report that their tastes change after surgery. Many patients experience the "dumping syndrome" in which foods, usually those high in fat and/or sugar are not well tolerated. In the dumping syndrome, stomach contents move rapidly through the small intestine. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness and diarrhea after eating these foods. Patients find that this negative incentive helps them eliminate high caloric foods from their diet.   Vitamins and Supplements   Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery are required to take several vitamin supplements. It is recommended to take multivitamins with minerals daily which are available in both a liquid and chewable form. Additional Calcium of 400-500 milligrams daily may be required, especially post-menopausal women.   Post-Op Diet   It is helpful to purchase certain items ahead of your bariatric weight loss surgery date. The following items are suggested to have at home: Chewable Gums Chewable multivitamins Pill crusher Protein powder (Slim fast, Diet Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc.) Skim milk Compliance with after surgery dietary guidelines is very important. For this reason, a multi- disciplinary team is often utilized by the bariatric surgeon. These include a nutritionist and a psychologist. The nutritionist can help you to learn how and what foods and fluids to consume following the operation. The bariatric surgery psychologist can help educate and prepare both you and your family for the changes that accompany weight loss, and assist you in following the post-operative guidelines.   Exercise   Regular physical activity is an important part of effective weight loss surgery for weight maintenance. It does not matter what type of physical activity you perform – sports, planned exercise, walking, yoga, aerobics etc. 30 minutes or more of physical activity per day give benefits to the patient to gain significant health benefits. Remember, once you are in the bariatric surgery program, you and the specialists form a team with the purpose of achieving your sustained weight loss, improvement or resolution of serious medical conditions and increase the quality of your life. Because morbid obesity is a chronic disease, frequent and long term contact with your surgeon and regular follow-up visits are very important for a good outcome. Our goal is to give you better, healthier and longer life with smile.