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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
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