Gastric Bypass Diet

When you first discuss the possibility of gastric bypass surgery with your physician, you will be asked to begin a diet to help you lose weight before your surgery.

A gastric bypass diet actually has several different stages.

Before your surgery:

Most surgeons ask their patients to lose up to 8% of their body weight prior to the surgery. A nutrionist will work with you to develop a low-calorie diet to help you lose these pounds. Since the weight loss prior to your surgery will determine your eligibility for the procedure, most weight loss centers provide plenty of ongoing counseling and support.

Many patients are unable to tolerate sugar after their surgery, (it can cause very uncomfortable symptoms). For this reason you may be encouraged to eliminate sugar from your diet before your operation. This dietary change will help you adjust to the changed requirements of your body after the weight loss surgery. This can be one of the most difficult parts of the pre-treatment program for people who are addicted to sugar.

Your diet after your gastric bypass surgery:

Following the surgery, you will probably be on a water fast in the first week or so while your body heals. This period of fasting is required to make sure there are no "leaks" in the sutures, which could cause inflamation, infection and serious complications.

During the next stage of your post gastric bypass diet you'll be allowed clear liquids and broths. You then move to liquid foods, such as yogurt and thin oatmeal. The next stage will allow pureed foods in small quantities, then you'll move to chopped foods, and eventually you'll be allowed "real" food, in small bite-sized pieces.

Your nutritional advisor will try to pack as much nutrition into these small, easily digested meals as possible, in order to keep you healthy while you lose weight.

The diet following your gastric bypass is very limited in calories, and the surgery itself causes a reduction in the amount of nutrients that can be absorbed. For these reasons, it is essential that you stay in touch with your nutrional counselor and take any supplements that are recommended. 

Also, some of the complications associated with weight loss surgery are due to patients "cheating," especially with sugars and fats. You'll want to stay closely involved with any behavioral counselling that is recommended. This is not a good time to "go it alone."

More Articles About the Gastric Bypass Diet:

• The Dumping Syndrome's Affect on Your Diet
• How to Enjoy Dining Out After Gastric Bypass Surgery
• Getting Used to the Post-Gastric Bypass Diet
• This Patient Found the Surgery Easier Than the Post-Gastric Bypass Diet
• This Patient's Relationship With Food Changed After Surgery