Bariatric Surgery Diet

Diet before Bariatric Surgery

Your surgeon may require that you start the following pre-surgery diet two weeks before surgery.

. Begin protein supplements (protein powder or shakes)

. Decrease all fats (fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk products, and others)

. Decrease sugary foods and drinks (sweets and soda)

. Decrease high-carbohydrate foods (white bread and white pasta)

. Stop smoking

. Avoid alcohol

. Avoid binge eating

. Don’t use certain over-the-counter medications and prescription medications. Ask your doctor for specifics, but this may include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol/Excedrin).

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The importance of pre-surgery diet

This is the purpose for following a pre-surgery diet:

. Reduce body fat: Reducing fat in the abdomen and liver increases patient safety.

. Preserve and protect muscle tissue: Increasing protein keeps the body from using muscle tissue as an energy source on a reduced-calorie diet. The body will burn fat instead.

. Prepare the body for surgery and recovery: Eating healthy, increasing protein intake, and taking vitamin and mineral supplements will help the body heal and recover after surgery.

. Prepare the patient for post-surgery diet: The pre-surgery diet is very similar to the post-surgery diet (reduced-calorie, high-protein, low-fat, and low-carbohydrate) and will prepare patients for the new way they will be eating after weight-loss surgery.

Pre-surgery weight loss increases safety

Losing weight before surgery will lower the risk of complications and make weight-loss surgery safer.

The main purpose of losing weight before weight-loss surgery is to reduce body fat in the abdominal region, especially in and around the liver. In some instances, a bariatric surgeon must postpone surgery if the patient’s liver is too large. Reducing the size of the liver can shorten the operating time for laparoscopic surgery, and this makes the procedure safer.

For super-obese patients (body mass index greater than 50), losing sufficient weight before surgery allows the procedure to be performed using a minimally invasive surgical approach performed through small incisions (laparoscopic), rather than as open surgery.

Amount of pre-surgery weight loss

The amount of weight loss necessary before surgery can only be determined by your bariatric surgeon based on your health, weight, and bariatric procedure. Some patients are required to lose 10 percent of their weight before weight-loss surgery is performed. For other patients, losing just 15 to 20 pounds right before surgery is enough to reduce the risk of complications.

It’s important to follow your surgeon’s pre-surgery diet and nutrition guidelines. A pre-surgery diet helps prepare your body for surgery and improve the outcome. It also helps you adjust to the food and eating changes you need to make following weight-loss surgery—and for the rest of your life.

Diet after Bariatric Surgery

It is very important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines after undergoing bariatric surgery. These guidelines were carefully designed by your health care providers, with the goal of limiting the amount of calories you consume, while providing balanced meals that help prevent nutrient deficiencies and preserve muscle tissue.

This new way of eating may seem overwhelming at first, but over time, most patients find the guidelines become an unconscious part of their daily routine.

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General Guidelines

. Eat balanced meals with small portions.

. Follow a diet low in calories, fats and sweets.

. Keep a daily record of your food portions and of your calorie and protein intake.

. Eat slowly and chew small bites of food thoroughly.

. Avoid rice, bread, raw vegetables and fresh fruits, as well as meats that are not easily chewed, such as pork and steak. Ground meats are usually better tolerated.

. Do not use straws, drink carbonated beverages or chew ice. They can introduce air into your pouch and cause discomfort.

. Avoid sugar, sugar-containing foods and beverages, concentrated sweets and fruit juices.

. For the first two months following surgery, your calorie intake should be between 300 and 600 calories a day, with a focus on thin and thicker liquids.

. Daily caloric intake should not exceed 1,000 calories.

Fluids

. Drink extra water and low-calorie or calorie-free fluids between meals to avoid dehydration. All liquids should be caffeine-free.

. Sip about 1 cup of fluid between each small meal, six to eight times a day.

. We recommend drinking at least 2 liters (64 ounces or 8 cups) of fluids a day. You will gradually be able to meet this target.

. We strongly warn against drinking any alcoholic beverages. After surgery, alcohol is absorbed into your system much more quickly than before, making its sedative and mood-altering effects more difficult to predict and control.

Protein

Preserve muscle tissue by eating foods rich in protein. High-protein foods include eggs, meats, fish, seafood, tuna, poultry, soy milk, tofu, cottage cheese, yogurt and other milk products. Your goal should be a minimum of 65 to 75 grams of protein a day. Don't worry if you can't reach this goal in the first few months after surgery.

Supplements

You must take the following supplements on a daily basis to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Please remember that all pills must be crushed or cut into six to eight small pieces. You are not able to absorb whole pills as well as before surgery, and it can be difficult for the pills to pass through your new anatomy.

. Multivitamins

Take a high-potency daily chewable multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains a minimum of 18 mg of iron, 400 mcg of folic acid, selenium, copper and zinc. Brands that contain this formula include Trader Joe’s and Centrum Adult chewable multivitamins. Take two tablets daily for at least three months after your surgery, and then one tablet daily for life.

. Calcium Supplement

Take 1,200 to 2,000 mg of calcium daily to prevent calcium deficiency and bone disease. To enhance absorption, take the calcium in two to three divided doses throughout the day - for example, a 500 to 600 mg supplement taken three times a day. Calcium citrate is the preferred form of calcium.

. Vitamin D Supplement

Take a total of 800 to 1,000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D each day. This total amount should be taken in divided doses of 400 to 500 IUs twice a day. Vitamin D should be taken with your calcium supplement. If you prefer, you can take a combination calcium-vitamin D supplement to avoid taking multiple pills, so long as it contains the proper dosages.

. Vitamin B12 Supplement

Take 500 mcg of vitamin B daily. It can be taken as a tablet, or in sublingual forms placed under the tongue.

. Other Supplements

Some patients need additional folic acid or iron supplements, particularly women who are still menstruating. Your dietitian will discuss this with you.

Diet Progression after Bariatric Surgery

Immediately following surgery, you will begin with a clear liquid diet. You may gradually start adding thicker liquids to your diet after you are discharged from the hospital.

Two weeks following surgery, you may progress to blended and puréed foods. You may use high-protein (more than 20 grams protein), low-calorie (less than 200 calories) liquid supplement drinks or powders to meet your protein requirements during this period.

It is important to know that following surgery, your stomach size is very small - less than 1/4 cup, or about the size of an egg. The opening that allows food to pass out of your stomach is also very narrow. For this reason, it is important to take only two to three sips or bites at a time of any new food and then wait 10 minutes before taking more. This will help you learn your limits and tolerance. Liquids will empty faster from your stomach than soft solids.

If you overeat or eat too quickly, you may experience nausea or pain. You should avoid rich, creamy liquids such as gravies, sauces and ice creams.

. Diet in the Hospital

You will receive clear liquids such as juices, Jell-O and broth as your first meal following surgery. Juice and Jell-O are high in sugar content, but your portions will be very small at this stage. Gradually increase the amount you drink at each meal as you can tolerate it.

. Diet for the First Two Weeks Post-Surgery

You will begin adding thicker liquids that are high in protein and low in fat and sugar. (For examples, see the list below.) You may use high-protein, low-calorie liquid supplement drinks or powders to meet your protein requirements during this period.

The goal is to consume small portions that will empty easily from your pouch. Begin with 1 tablespoon portion sizes and increase to 2 tablespoons as tolerated. Begin drinking 1/4 cup of liquid at a time and increase to a 1/2 cup as tolerated. Your daily caloric intake should not exceed 400 calories.

It is also very important to stay well hydrated. Drink 1 to 1.5 liters of water or other non-caloric liquids per day.

Recommended thicker liquids:

. Nonfat or 1% milk, if you can tolerate milk

. Lactose-free or soy-based low-calorie drinks

. Sugar-free pudding

. Sugar-free, nonfat yogurt

. Low-fat cottage cheese

. Blended broth-based soup or other low-fat soups

. Refined hot cereals that are low in fiber, such as cream of rice or cream of wheat. Make them with extra liquid to create a soup-like consistency. Do not eat oatmeal.

. Optional high-protein, low-calorie liquid supplement drinks (drinks containing less than 200 calories and more than 20 grams of protein in an 8- to 11-ounce serving).

To increase your protein intake, add 2 tablespoons non-fat dry milk powder, egg substitute or powered egg, or other protein powder to each 1/2 cup of nonfat or low-fat milk. You can also add these to soups, hot cereal and other thick liquids.

Remember to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals. Take a multivitamin supplement every day.

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. Diet for Weeks Two to Four Post-Surgery

Begin adding very small portions of puréed and soft foods as tolerated. Take very small bites and chew everything very well. Do not take more than two bites every 20 minutes when adding a new food.

Recommended puréed and soft foods:

. Applesauce

. Yogurt

. Cottage cheese

. Well-cooked, puréed vegetables

. Hot cereals

. Mashed potatoes

. Noodles

. Scrambled egg whites or egg substitute

. Canned fruits

. Canned tuna fish

. Lean fish

. Tofu

. Lean ground meats or poultry

. Avoid all bread and meats that are not easily chewed.

. Recommended Meal Plan for Weeks Two to Eight until Two Months Post-Surgery

At this time, your caloric intake will probably be no more than 500 calories a day, divided into six to eight small meals. Recommended portion sizes are 1/4 cup for solids and 1/2 cup for liquids.

. Sample Menu

This sample menu includes different foods that are safe for you to eat. You may adjust the menu to fit your tastes and tolerance.

Breakfast

. 1/4 cup hot cereal made with non-fat milk

Mid-Morning

. 1/2 cup nonfat milk*

Late Morning

. Two scrambled egg whites

Lunch

. 1/2 cup low-fat chicken noodle soup

Mid-Afternoon

. 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese

Late Afternoon

. 1/4 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt

Dinner

. 2 ounces lean ground meat

. 1/4 cup puréed or well-cooked vegetables

Bedtime Snack

. 1/4 cup non-fat milk

* Add 1 tablespoon non-fat dry milk powder to each 1/4 cup nonfat milk for additional protein.

Remember to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals. It is important to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement every day, plus additional iron if required, and calcium and vitamin D supplements two to three times per day.

. Recommended Meal Plan for Two to Six Months Post-Surgery

Consume 900 to 1,000 calories and at least 65 to 75 grams of protein a day. For balanced nutrient intake, your daily servings should include:

. 3 servings milk and dairy products (nonfat and low-fat)

. 3 servings meat or meat alternative (lean and low-fat)

. 3 servings starch (limit bread and rice)

. 1 serving fruit (avoid dried fruits and fruits with skin)

. 2 servings vegetable (well-cooked only)

Recommended portion sizes are 1/4 cup for solids and 1/2 cup for liquids.

Discontinue taking high-protein liquid supplement drinks or powders if possible. We recommend meeting your protein needs with food.

. Sample Menu

This sample menu includes different foods that are safe for you to eat. You may adjust the menu to fit your tastes and tolerance.

Breakfast

. 1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute

. 1/2 cup hot cereal

Mid-Morning

. 1/2 cup nonfat milk

Late Morning

. 1/2 cup chopped melon

Lunch

. 1/2 cup low-fat chicken noodle soup

. Two Saltine crackers

Mid-Afternoon

. 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese

. 1/4 cup canned fruit packed in water or juice

Late Afternoon

. 1/2 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt

Dinner

. 2 ounces lean meat or fish

. 1/4 cup mashed potatoes

. 1/4 cup pureed or well-cooked vegetables

Bedtime Snack

. 1/2 cup nonfat milk

The sample menu offers eight small meals per day. You may wish to eat more or less often, but be sure to eat at least six times each day.

Remember to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluid between meals. It is important to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily, plus additional iron if required. In addition, you must take calcium and vitamin D supplements two to three times per day.

. Recommended Meal Plan for Six Months Post-Surgery and Beyond

. Continue consuming 900 to 1,000 calories per day

. Decrease to three meals and only one to two snacks per day

. Discontinue taking high-protein liquid supplement drinks

. Increase the variety of low-fat, low-sugar and low-calorie foods, as tolerated

. Avoid raw vegetables, fresh fruits with skins, dried fruits, breads, popcorn, nuts and red meats only if poorly tolerated

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Long-term Dietary Guidelines

Over time, you will be able to increase the variety and consistency of foods in your diet. Some foods may continue to be poorly tolerated, including red meats, chicken, breads, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Focus on low-fat, low-sugar and low-calorie foods and continue to count your calories every day. Try to meet your serving goals for all food groups based on the 900 to 1,000 calories diet plan described above.

To stay well hydrated, drink at least 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids daily, unless this is contraindicated due to a medical condition.