Gastric bypass surgery offers an effective solution to obese individuals looking for long-term, sustainable weight loss. While the surgery itself is usually completed within a day, the preparatory steps before (and after) the operation are just as essential in ensuring that the process is safe, successful, and long-lasting.
In the weeks before gastric bypass surgery, prospective patients of the procedure will be required to adhere to a strict diet as part of the necessary steps leading up to the surgery.
In this article, we’ll provide everything you need to know about the gastric bypass diet plan for both before and after the surgery, as well as the overall guidelines to ensure sustained weight loss and in general, better health.
The importance of a diet before gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass surgery will involve significant surgical work on the stomach, where it will be reduced in size and attached to the small intestine in order to bypass part of the digestive tract. Having a specialised gastric bypass diet helps to reduce the amount of fat in the liver and increases the access that surgeons have to the stomach, which both contribute to a higher rate of success and lower complications for the procedure.
In addition to the above, a gastric bypass diet plan also helps individuals to mentally and physically adjust to the long-term changes in the amount and type of food that they can consume after the surgery.
The gastric bypass diet plan
The gastric bypass diet plan will differ from individual to individual based on their current health conditions and nutritional needs. These plans are crafted with the help of the consulting surgeon and dietician, and must be followed carefully.
Pre-op gastric bypass diet
In the weeks leading up to gastric bypass surgery, patients will be put on a high protein, low calorie diet of foods that are easy to digest. This diet will typically involve:
- Avoiding or reducing foods with saturated fats such as whole dairy products, fried food, or fatty meat.
- Avoiding carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, potatoes, bread, and sugary foods.
- No consumption of sugary drinks such as sodas or juice.
- Recommended consumption of protein shakes.
- Halting alcohol consumption.
- Eating in smaller portion sizes.
As the date of the surgery gets closer, the gastric bypass diet plan will shift toward a liquid-only diet that may include blended or pureed foods.
Post-op stomach bypass diet
After the operation, the gastric bypass diet will share similarities with the pre-op diet, but with a focus on helping the new digestive system heal and stabilise. As a part of this post-op diet, some foods will need to be avoided after gastric bypass surgery. There are four main stages of this diet, each progressing toward being able to resume the consumption of solid foods.
Stage 1: Liquid diet
During stage 1, patients will be advised to stay on a liquid-only diet that is easy on the new digestive tract. For the first few days after the surgery, only clear liquids will be permitted, so as to not stress the new stomach and allow it to heal. As the healing progresses, the stomach may become ready to accept other types of liquids such as:
- Thin soup
- Unsweetened fruit juice
- Sugar-free iced pops
- Decaf coffee or tea
Stage 2: Pureed diet
Stage 2 consists of pureed foods that have been thoroughly blended to form a mixture with a thick consistency. Pureed foods can be made at home with a blender or a food processor, and will consist of soft foods such as fruits, carrots, beans, and sources of protein like cottage cheese, fish, scrambled eggs and yoghurt.
Avoid using foods that:
- Include spicy seasonings, as they can upset the sensitive stomach
- Have hard components that aren’t broken up well when blended, such as seeds
- Are full of fibres that are too small to be blended, such as broccoli
When consuming pureed foods at this stage, it’s important to not to drink any liquids when eating as it can complicate the digestive process. Try to prepare pureed foods that have a thinner consistency to help with swallowing.
Stage 3: Soft-foods diet
After several weeks of pureed foods, nutritionists will eventually recommend adding soft, but small pieces of food to the diet. Examples of such foods include:
- Diced, well-cooked vegetables
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Steamed white fish
- Ground lean meat or chicken
- Cottage cheese
- Skinless fruits such as canned peaches
Keep portions as small as possible and take small bites of food so as not to upset the stomach.
Stage 4: Re-introduction of solid food
Stage 4 typically arrives after 1-2 months of recovery from the surgery, depending on the progress of recovery and opinion of the nutritionist. At this stage, most types of solid food can be re-introduced to the diet.
As with the previous stages, any solid food must first be prepared by being sliced or broken up into smaller pieces so as to reduce the risk of them becoming lodged or stuck in the smaller-sized digestive tract. Any food that results in discomfort, pain, or vomiting should be avoided.
Overall guidelines for a gastric bypass diet
Having a gastric bypass diet is an essential part of ensuring a successful outcome for the surgery, as well as to minimise the occurrence of any potential complications during recovery. In summary, here are some guidelines for the gastric bypass diet:
- Eat slowly – Take at least 20-30 minutes to eat a meal. This will give your stomach time to digest the food and prevent feelings of nausea or even vomiting.
- Keep portions small – The new smaller digestive tract can handle less food at a time, so eat smaller portions to avoid overloading it.
- Include a balance of proteins, vitamins and fibre – Smaller portions will require a more intentional selection of ingredients for meals. Make sure to include a good balance of foods to avoid malnutrition.
- Drink in-between meals – Liquids can fill up the stomach very quickly and create feelings of fullness, so try to drink fluids between meals instead of during them.
Central Coast Surgery offers gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery in Newcastle, Sydney, and on the rest of the Central Coast for individuals who are looking for an effective, long-term solution to weight loss. Our surgeons and care staff will create a tailored, easy-to-follow gastric bypass diet plan and walk with you every step of the way to achieve your weight loss goals. Contact us today for a consultation and start your journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.