People who have undergone stomach bypass surgery must undergo a special meal plan during the first few weeks and months after the operation. The special diet program allows the stomach to heal and to slowly get acquainted to functioning in reconstructed system. There are usually four gastric bypass diet stages involved in the recovery of the operation; clear liquid, semi-liquid, semi-solid and low fat solid.
Clear liquid diet
One day or two days after the surgery you will start off on meals of only clear liquids served at room temperature. These include water, fresh fruit juices, clear broth, sugar-free gelatin deserts such as jello and flat sodas. It’s advisable to take only small sips, small portions of about 3 ounces and pay particular attention to your fullness.
Semi-liquid diet
Depending on how well your stomach takes to the clear liquids, you are then moved into a semi-liquid diet after a few days. This stage of the gastric bypass diet consists of pureed and blended meals that are sugar-free. Examples are cream soups, skimmed milk, pureed fruit and vegetables, mashed potatoes and high-protein drinks. The foods must be absolutely smooth to prevent tearing of the staple line. This phase lasts between two to four weeks.
Semi-solid diet
At this stage you can eat solid foods that are fairly soft. These include soft fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, finely chopped meats and lots of liquids. This stage normally begins three to four weeks after surgery and the general rule is that the food can be mashed with a fork. One should eat slowly, about four to six meals daily and chew very well.
Low fat solid diet
After about two months you can start on a full solid meal plan, although you should take it slowly and see how your stomach tolerates it. At first some solids will be easier to digest than others, but slowly your stomach will learn to handle all sorts of solid foods. Just like before, keep your portions small and eat slowly.
These four phases help the body gradually adjust to the changing consistency of the food until proper solids can be consumed. Additionally, your body is adjusting itself to the low fat, low sugar but high protein diet. Eating sugary, fatty foods or liquids with meals can lead to an ailment called ‘dumping syndrome’ which is characterized by sudden diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps. Your doctor may recommend some dietary supplements that you will need to take permanently because the decreased intake of nutrients doesn’t provide enough of some essential ingredients.
The operation on its own cannot guarantee a permanent loss in weight. You must do your part by being disciplined in your gastric bypass diet. Keeping to low fat, low sugar meals that are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals will ensure better overall health. Exercise is also important as it will enable you to loose additional weight after the surgery. Your whole lifestyle must change, but your physicians are there to help you and there are many support groups that you can get involved in.
