Gastric bypass surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach pouch with staples, and then connecting the new pouch to the small intestine by way of an intestinal loop. This procedure results in weight loss both by reducing the amount of food that can be eaten in one sitting and giving early feelings of fullness. Following a proper eating regimen after a bypass is important to avoid complications.
Instructions
1. Follow a liquid or pureed diet as prescribed for 6 weeks following the gastric bypass. Ensure is one choice available in grocery stores.
2. Continue to choose liquids as you recover from the surgery, but don't sabotage your weight loss by relying heavily on high-calorie, high-fat liquids like milk shakes. Soft foods such as yogurt, scrambled eggs and pudding are good choices.
3. Keep a food diary recording tolerance of specific foods after the gastric bypass. This will aid in developing a regimen to avoid the most frequent after effects of gastric bypass, nausea and vomiting. Note both the foods eaten and the amount of food eaten.
4. Choose six small meals over the conventional three meal a day feeding pattern. Chew your food slowly, and avoid swallowing large chunks of food that could block the stomach pouch opening.
5. Focus on foods with a high nutrient density, especially foods high in protein. These foods are well tolerated and include eggs, cheese, lean meats, tofu and peanut butter.
6. Take a vitamin and mineral supplement, as it is difficult to get enough nutrients until the new stomach pouch expands to its eventual size of 4 to 5 oz. Gastric bypass patients are at risk for anemia due to the poor absorption of vitamin B-12 and iron.
7. Tell your doctor if you experience rapid heartbeat, sweating or cramping abdominal pain after meals. This can be a sign of dumping syndrome, a response in which the stomach rapidly passes large amounts of food into the small intestine instead of in small amounts. Foods high in protein and low in fat can help prevent this.
