|
Obesity
Surgery Nutritional Advice
Obesity surgery is performed after other methods of weight loss have failed. However,
Surgery in itself is not the end. Learning new eating habits and following the diet
correctly will help maintain weight loss over time. The recommended diet is low
in calories and fat. Even small amounts of sweet or fatty foods could make weight
loss difficult. Sweet and sugary foods don't contain vitamins or minerals.
Weight loss surgery reduces the size of the stomach,
so it may take a while to get used to the change required in your daily diet and
eating regime. Patients report a wide variety of complications after surgery. Most
of these will go away in time, while others can be lessened with dietary adjustment.
Nausea & Vomiting
These are the most common complications occurring in the first few months after
gastric surgery. They can occur after eating too fast, drinking liquids while eating,
not chewing enough, or eating more than the stomach can hold. It is important to
learn to eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Nausea and vomiting can also be triggered
after trying new foods. If this happens, allow a few days to pass before trying
something new. Notify a physician or contact our nutritionist if frequent vomiting
becomes a problem.
Dehydration
It is important to prevent dehydration by drinking enough fluids.
Tips for doing it right:
- Make sure you drink 11/2 litres a day.
- Do not drink during meals: don’t drink 30
min before or after meals.
- Avoid fizzy drinks like Lemonade, Colas, Fanta
etc.
- High calorie drinks such as sugar sweetened drinks,
alcohol, etc. may prevent weight loss.
Adapt your diet in several stages, start with liquids
and gradually increase to small meals of soft, high-protein foods. Each person is
different and the dietary limits will also depend on the type of obesity surgery
you have had. Meals should be much smaller than normal, and foods eaten must be
smooth in texture. During all stages of the diet, it is important to drink enough
water.
Different Stages
1. Liquids
The use of liquid nourishment such as soup, milk, fruit juice, buttermilk, yoghurt,
pudding, Soya deserts… This stage should last for the 1 or 2 weeks after surgery.
- Breakfast: protein drink such as a milkshake
or porridge
- Snack: yoghurt
- Lunch: soup without solid pieces
- Snack: 1 glass of fruit juice
- Evening meal: protein drink such as milkshake
or porridge
- Snack: yoghurt or Soya dessert
2. Soft/Purée
Diet
2 weeks after surgery advance to the soft or purée diet. You can use mashed
or mixed food until 4 or 6 weeks after the operation. Mashed meat, mashed potatoes
and mashed vegetables can now be introduced. Fish or eggs are softer to eat than
meat. It is important to make sure that all foods are puréed and smooth in
texture.
- Breakfast: toast (chewed thoroughly), margarine,
jam or honey
- Snack: yoghurt
- Lunch: pureed meat or fish or scrambled
eggs, mashed potatoes, blended vegetables
- Snack: 1 glass of fruit juice or pureed fruit
- Evening meal: toast, margarine, cheese spread
or meat spread
- Snack: yoghurt or Soya dessert
3. Regular Diet
2 to 6 weeks after surgery - when you feel you are ready advance to a regular diet.
Make sure that you get enough Proteins: Protein is the nutrient used to build new
tissue, therefore it is important to get enough protein after surgery to ensure
the proper healing of the wounds. Protein in the diet will help preserve muscle
tissue in the long run, so that weight can be lost. Foods such as meat, fish, eggs,
cheese, etc. are high in protein.
It is recommended to eat fruit at least once a day.
Do not eat whole wheat bread.
In the first few weeks try to avoid raw vegetables, green cabbage, sprouts, peppers,
mushrooms and onions – these are difficult to digest, also avoid spicy, burned
or fatty food.
- Evening meal: toast, margarine, cheese spread
or meat spread
- Snack: yoghurt or Soya dessert
Things
to Remember
1. Eat several small portions 4 or 5 times a day. It is important to chew food well
and eat slowly. Enjoy your food and concentrate on eating slowly. The way you eat
is just as important as what you eat.
2. Let your stomach tell you when you have had enough.
3. Do not drink during meals and avoid fizzy drinks.
4. Eat healthily, and make sure there is enough variation in what you eat.
Large quantities of high-energy food such as ice creams, chocolates, cakes, etc.
are not recommended. Changing food habits in combination with physical activity
will help to maintain weight loss over time.
For related information please view: FAQs
|
