What to eat after bariatric surgery
Written by: Laura Arantegui / Date: 28-08-24 / Reading of 4 Minutes
What to eat after gastric sleeve surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is a powerful tool for weight loss, but it requires a significant commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes. The key to long-term success is following a carefully planned diet that supports weight loss and improvement of associated pathology.
Here is a detailed guide on what to eat after gastric sleeve surgery and how to do it safely and effectively.
After bariatric surgery, your diet will change significantly to accommodate the reduced size of your stomach and ensure you get the nutrients you need. Here is a guide on what foods you can eat in the different postoperative stages.
Table of Contents
- 1. Stages of the postoperative diet.
- 2. General recommendations for post-gastric sleeve feeding
- 3. Foods to avoid
- 4. Importance of vitamin supplementation
Stages of the postoperative diet
Phase 1: Liquid Diet (First 2 weeks)
Composed of two stages:
- Clear liquids: during the days of hospitalization you will receive a diet consisting of herbal teas and broths.
- Thick liquids: after discharge you will start a liquid diet consisting of foods rich in protein and low in fat and sugars for approximately 7 to 14 days.
o Skimmed milk
o Skimmed liquid yogurts
o Fat-free broths
o Egg whites
In addition, commercial diets and multivitamin supplements (in liquid form) such as BariMIX POST and specific protein supplements for bariatric patients may be used.
Phase 2: Shredded diet (from the second week onwards)
Composed of pureed foods and dairy products. This phase will consist of liquid foods from the previous phase and the progressive introduction of other foods prepared in puree:
- Vegetables: potato, carrot, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, turnip, leek, parsnip...
- Proteins: egg whites, white fish, chicken, turkey...
Phase 3: Semi-solid diet
It consists of the introduction of soft textured foods for chewing:
- Fresh skimmed cheese
- Skimmed yogurt
- Curd
- Cottage cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Cooked ham or cooked turkey breast
- Egg (poached, soft-boiled, boiled or scrambled)
- Cooked or stewed fruits
- Vegetables: chard, spinach, leek, onion, cauliflower, cabbage...
- Biscotti or toast
Phase 4: Solid diet (from the second month according to tolerance)
Based on the tolerance of the previous phases, from the second month onwards, feeding can begin to be normalized by progressively introducing soft foods, prioritizing the intake of protein foods:
- Vegetable origin: legumes, tofu, seitan, quinoa...
- Animal origin: lean chicken, turkey or rabbit meats, white fish, eggs, skimmed dairy products...
In the third month, the following foods can be introduced in simple preparations:
- Pasta or boiled rice in small quantities
- Introduction of whole grain cereals and white bread
- Blue fish
From the fourth month:
- Whole cooked legumes
- Beef and pork (lean parts)
- Squid or cuttlefish
- Raw vegetables (salads)
General recommendations for post-gastric sleeve feeding
- Portion size and meal frequency:
After a gastric sleeve, the size of your stomach is considerably reduced, which means that you will not be able to eat the same amounts as before. It is essential to adapt portion sizes and meal frequency to avoid discomfort and ensure adequate nutrition. - Eat small portions several times a day:
It is advisable to eat small portions several times a day, usually 5 to 6 small meals. This helps to avoid discomfort, keep energy levels stable and avoid excessive hunger, which can lead to overeating. - Avoid overeating to prevent discomfort:
Overeating can cause significant discomfort, including nausea and vomiting. Pay attention to your body's satiety signals and stop before you feel full. It is critical to listen to your body and not force feed yourself. - Adequate hydration:
Hydration is crucial after bariatric surgery. Drink small sips of water throughout the day and avoid drinking large amounts of fluid all at once. Stay well hydrated to support digestion and overall health.
Foods to avoid
- Fatty and fried foods:
Fatty and fried foods can be difficult to digest and can cause discomfort. In addition, these foods are high in calories and can make it difficult to lose weight. - Carbonated and alcoholic beverages:
Carbonated beverages can cause bloating and discomfort due to gas. Alcohol should be avoided as it can irritate the stomach, hinder nutrient absorption and is high in empty calories. - Refined sugars and sweets:
Consumption of refined sugars and sweets can raise blood glucose levels. It is better to opt for natural foods and avoid processed and sugary products.
Importance of vitamin supplementation
After bariatric surgery, it is common to have nutritional deficiencies due to reduced nutrient absorption. It is crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations on supplementation.
Supplements needed post-surgery:
- Daily multivitamins: Taking a daily multivitamin can help prevent nutritional deficiencies. Be sure to choose one that is specifically formulated for bariatric patients such as BariMIX. Also, be aware of the format that best suits the phase of the progression diet you are in.
- Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation: Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health. Bariatric patients often need additional supplements of these nutrients such as BariCALCIUM.
- Protein: After bariatric surgery, foods high in protein are not well tolerated, so a whey protein supplement will help you meet protein requirements. BariPROTEIN is a whey concentrate module.
Recognize satiety cues: It is important to learn to recognize your body's satiety cues and stop eating before you feel full. This can help avoid discomfort and support weight loss.
Avoid eating out of anxiety or boredom: Many people eat for emotional reasons such as anxiety or boredom. Identify these patterns and look for healthy alternatives, such as exercising, reading a book or practicing meditation.
In conclusion, the post-gastric sleeve diet requires careful planning and attention. By following these recommendations, you can ensure that you are getting the proper nutrition and optimizing your weight loss in a healthy way. Always work with your medical team to customize your diet to your specific needs.
