Following a proper diet, post a bariatric surgery is mandatory to keep the body weight in check. By following the appropriate guidelines, bariatric surgery diet can help you lower the potential health disorders that might arise from obesity.
Take a lot of liquid in the first week of the surgery
Unsweetened juice, sugar-free gelatin or popsicles, decaffeinated tea or coffee, strained cream soup, etc. should be taken in the first few days post the surgery. Once you get used to clearing liquids, you can start having skimmed or low-fat milk.
Mashed foods play a role too
The next phase of the diet is to take pureed or mashed foods. Keep in mind that you need to avoid taking any solids but only foods that have a smooth or a liquid-like consistency. These include blended eggs, beans, fish, cooked vegetables, lean ground meats, and fish.
Soft and solid foods matter after some weeks
After a few weeks of taking liquids and pureed foods, with the doctor’s prescription, you can add small pieces of finely diced meat, fresh fruits, and vegetables to your bariatric surgery diet. After about seven to eight weeks post the surgery, you can start taking regular foods; however, they need to be strictly chopped and freshly eaten. Do not worry if you find it difficult to take in spicy, oily, crunchy, or sugary foods. In the first two to three months post the operation, this feeling of your stomach rejecting some foods is quite normal.
There are certain things that you need to avoid
These include carbonated beverages; nuts; fried foods; bread; complex meats; fibrous vegetables like corn, broccoli, or cabbage; granola; popcorns; and dried fruits. Include these in your bariatric surgery diet only after consulting the doctor.
Other important points to remember
– Do not eat hushed meals. Eat slowly and take time to chew your food.
– Do not take in large quantities at a time. Divide your meals into smaller, easy-to-digest portions.
– Drink lots of liquid, about 1.5–2 liters of water a day. Take liquids between meals for easy digestion.
– Eat lots of high-protein food as this helps in the fast recovery of the body post the surgery.
– Take the recommended vitamins and minerals regularly.