Nutrition
Plans After Weight Loss Surgery
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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.
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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. |
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