Diet after gastric bypass surgery
Description
You had gastric bypass surgery. This surgery made your stomach smaller by closing off most of your stomach with staples. It changed the way your body handles the food you eat. You will eat less food, and your body may not absorb all the calories from the food you eat.
Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will teach you about foods you can eat and foods you should avoid. It is very important to follow these diet guidelines.
When you go home from the hospital
You will eat only liquid or puréed food for 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery. You will slowly add in soft foods, and then regular foods.
When you start eating solid foods again, you will feel full very quickly. Just a few bites will fill you up. This is because your new stomach pouch holds only a small tablespoon of food at first, about the size of a walnut.
Your pouch will naturally get larger over time. You do not want to stretch it out very much, so do not eat more than your doctor, nurse, or dietitian advises. When your pouch is larger, it will hold about 1 cup of chewed food. A normal stomach can hold up to 4 cups of chewed food.
You will lose weight quickly in the first 3 to 6 months after surgery. You may continue to lose weight more slowly up until about a year after surgery. During this time, you may have these symptoms:
- Body aches
- Feel tired and cold
- Dry skin
- Mood changes
- Hair loss or hair thinning.
These symptoms are normal. They should go away as you take in more protein and calories, and your body gets used to your weight loss.
A new way of eating
Remember to eat slowly and chew each bite very slowly and completely. DO NOT swallow food until it is smooth. The opening between your new stomach pouch and your intestines is very small. Food that is not chewed well can block this opening.
- Take 20 to 30 minutes to eat a meal. If you vomit or have pain under your breastbone during or after eating, you may be eating too fast.
- Eat smaller meals during the day instead of 3 bigger meals. Your doctor or dietitian will help you decide how many meals a day you will eat.
- DO NOT snack between meals unless you are told to do so.
- STOP EATING AS SOON AS YOU FEEL FULL.
Some foods you eat may cause some pain or discomfort if you do not chew them completely. Some of these are pasta, rice, bread, raw vegetables, and meats. Adding a low-fat sauce or gravy can make them easier to digest. Other foods that may cause discomfort are dry foods, such as popcorn and nuts, or fibrous foods, such as celery and corn.
You will need to drink up to 8 cups (64 ounces) of water or other calorie-free liquids every day. Follow these guidelines:
- DO NOT drink anything for 30 minutes before or after a meal. Also, DO NOT drink anything while you are eating. The liquid will fill you up, and this may keep you from eating enough food. Or it may lubricate the food and allow you to eat more than you should.
- Take small sips when you drink. DO NOT gulp.
- Ask your provider before using a straw, since it may bring air into your stomach.
- Avoid fizzy (carbonated) drinks.
Follow your diet carefully
You will need to make sure you are getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while you are losing weight quickly. Eating mostly protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help your body get the nutrients it needs.
Protein may be the most important of these foods. Your body needs protein to build muscles and other body tissues. Low-fat protein choices include:
- Skinless chicken
- Lean beef or pork
- Fish
- Whole eggs or egg whites
- Beans
- Dairy products, which include low-fat or nonfat hard cheeses, cottage cheese, milk, and yogurt
After gastric bypass surgery, your body will not absorb some important vitamins and minerals. You will need to take these vitamins and minerals for the rest of your life:
- Multivitamin with iron.
- Vitamin B12.
- Calcium (1,200 mg per day) and vitamin D. Your body can absorb only about 500 mg of calcium at a time. Divide your calcium into 2 or 3 doses during the day.
- Take calcium at a different time than the multivitamin with iron. If you take calcium at the same time as iron, the iron will not be absorbed well.
You may need to take other supplements also.
You will need to have regular checkups with your provider to keep track of your weight and to make sure you are eating well. These visits are a good time to talk with your provider about any problems you are having with your diet, or about other issues related to your surgery and recovery.
Calories still count!
Avoid high calorie foods. It is important to get as many nutrients as you can without eating too many calories. One way to do that is to read food labels.
- DO NOT eat foods that contain a lot of fat, sugar, or carbohydrates.
- DO NOT drink alcohol. Alcohol contains a lot of calories, but it does not provide any nutrition. Avoid it completely if you can. Alcohol tends to be more quickly absorbed after a gastric bypass, and you may feel the effects much more quickly.
- DO NOT drink fluids that have a lot of calories. Avoid drinks that have sugar, fructose, or corn syrup in them.
- Avoid carbonated drinks, such as soda and sparkling water. Let diet soda go flat before drinking.
Portions and serving sizes still count. Your dietitian or nutritionist can give you suggested serving sizes of the foods in your diet.
If you gain weight or your weight loss is slower than expected, ask yourself:
- Am I eating too many high calorie foods or drinks?
- Am I getting enough protein?
- Am I eating too often?
- Am I exercising enough?
Reviewed By: John E. Meilahn, MD, Bariatric Surgery, Chestnut Hill Surgical Associates, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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