The Bariatric Surgery Diet

A post bariatric surgery diet can be as intimidating and rigorous as the preparations to get to this point can be. It will take hard work to make sure your body gets the protein and hydration it requires. In order to avoid some of the side effects of gastric bypass surgery, you will need to adhere to this diet, which was designed to help you to slowly integrate the foods you are accustomed to, back into your diet over a period of time.

Step 1 of the bariatric surgery diet will consist of clear liquids, but liquids that have caffeine, carbonation or sugars are not allowed. Caffeine is known to work as a diuretic, which will cause your body to lose water, sugars will be hard for you to digest, and carbonation will not be absorbed well. You are encouraged to take sips of a clear liquid every hour. The goal is to keep your body adequately hydrated and take in at least 32 ounces of fluid to do so. Step 1 usually lasts for one or two days.

Step 2 of the diet should be followed for the next two weeks. Again, liquids will be void of sugars, caffeine and carbonation. The goal will be to ingest 60 grams of protein to maintain muscle mass. To reach this goal, small sips have to be continued throughout the course of the day. Carnation Instant Breakfast will help with protein intake. Boost and Ensure with high protein are also good choices. Soft foods can be started during this period, and should be introduced slowly so that you can learn what your body will tolerate.

Step 3 of the bariatric surgery diet allows the post surgery patient to introduce meat and vegetables back into the diet. Meats should be cooked to retain moistness, and can be broiled, boiled or baked. If you experience any difficulty to begin with, stop for a day or two and try again.

Vegetables should be cooked because no raw vegetables are allowed at this time as they are harder to digest. Protein goals and goals for liquid intake need to be maintained. Fruits can be added to the meal plan during this step of the diet, but peels need to be removed because they are harder to digest.

The diet takes months to advance to including all foods. It is started first with clear liquids, then advancing to soft foods and eventually to meat, fruits and vegetables. Intake of calories after weight loss surgeries is well below what most of us were accustomed to before the surgery, but many have had success adjusting to the eating plan.