Bariatric Surgery Diet 

Eating After Bariatric Surgery

A bariatric surgery diet is necessary because bariatric surgery physically alters your stomach. This will also bring some dramatic changes in your life - in both your diet and your attitude toward food. A bariatric diet is also necessary because if you don't eat properly after your procedure, you risk doing something that won't work with the new structure of your stomach and intestines.

Here are some tips for a bariatric surgery diet and eating after bariatric surgery.

Take it slow. Meals should take 30 minutes to an hour. Chew your food deliberately and thoroughly. Doctors recommend at least 30 chews per bite with most foods.

Get used to taking smaller bites than before. Cut your food into smaller pieces - small enough to fit on a baby spoon. This generally makes food easier to chew.

Plan your bariatric surgery diet: schedule your meals, and stick to the schedule. Set aside time for three meals a day, eating only solid, nutritious foods.

Separate eating and drinking. Don't do both at the same time. Avoid liquids for approximately 30 minutes before or after each meal. However, make sure you keep yourself properly hydrated. Sip healthy liquids slowly between meals, all day long. Healthy, in this case, probably means water, low calorie beverages, or tea. Skim, low fat or soy milk is generally okay. Talk to your doctor about all liquids in your diet.

Carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you can.

Avoid "eating on the run." When you eat, sit down to a meal. Don't eat while driving -take time to pay attention to the most important matter at hand, which is digesting your food properly.

Similarly, avoid snacks. Snacks could make you sick if you're not careful, and they could certainly cause you to gain weight.

When you begin to feel full, stop eating. If you hear your parents' voices in your head saying "Clean your plate," ignore them. If you eat more than your stomach can handle, you'll get sick. Mom and dad wouldn't want that.

Your body will tell you if you've eaten more than your stomach is ready to handle. You may begin to feel some nausea. You may also begin to feel a sensation of fullness or even pressure in the middle of your upper body, just below the rib cage. There could be some pain in your upper chest or shoulders.
 
One final note. It's important to educate people about your new bariatric surgery diet and eating habits. Some people don't feel comfortable admitting they've had bariatric surgery to help control their weight. That's a personal choice.

The important thing is never to allow yourself to be rushed, or to let someone pressure you into eating or drinking something you shouldn't.

Related articles: Roux En Y, Gastric Lap Band, Stomach Stapling.