Diet after a bariatric surgery

24 hours after surgery

During this time, you will receive only intravenous drips – however you cannot eat solid foods as doing so may cause damage to the operative location because not enough time passed for healing to begin.

1-3 days after surgery

Following approval by the attending physician, you may drink water. The bariatric dietician will also include a clear broth, high-protein medical preparations, and natural yogurt.

4-14 days after surgery

A liquid diet should be continued for the next few days after you return home. In addition to clear soups and yogurts, you can have blended cream soups, well-cooked porridge with skimmed milk, naturally fermented products, and small amounts of easily digestible fruit. It is recommended to supplement the diet with high-protein nutritional supplements recommended by your dedicated dietician at discharge from the hospital.
After about a week, a mushy diet is gradually introduced, depending on your health status and individual tolerance. Recommended products include delicate cheese, cottage cheese, dishes based on scrambled eggs, meat, fish, cooked vegetables, and fruit. This approach is necessary to allow time for your body to adjust to the new mechanisms in place, and minimize the risk for developing unwanted symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain.

3-6 weeks after surgery

Gradually, in accordance with your tolerance, new, nutritional products are introduced to your diet. Although initially they must be soft or blended, over time you will be able to ingest more solid foods just be very mindful to thoroughly and carefully chew them. This is because the mechanisms to break down solid foods have been reduced or bypassed as a consequence of your operation. Meals will be planned by your dietician so that you provide your body with the necessary protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits while getting into the habit of managing your own lifestyle successfully. The daily intake of protein should be at least 60 g. Meals should be eaten regularly – every 3-4 hours – and your dietician will provide you with clear instructions on an individual basis because there is no universal standard. Remember proper hydration is essential.

Nutrition in the longer term

Since everyone may have a different tolerance to individual products, dishes, ingredients, or consistency, it is not possible to estimate target values in the early stages of diet expansion. You should be under the constant guidance of a bariatric dietician who constantly monitors your progress and helps your master new eating habits, correct any mistakes, and ensure your proper nutritional status by ordering regular blood tests. Ultimately, you have to eat a regular, healthy diet adapted to your individual preferences and tolerance. You should spend enough time eating in a relaxed atmosphere, not rushing but instead chewing every bite thoroughly. It is recommended to drink between meals but avoid sugary carbonated drinks, juices, alcohol, and sweetened coffee or tea (sugar can be replaced with an artificial sweetener). Sweets and salty snacks should be strictly limited and instead be replaced with homemade desserts or fruit (always eaten with a product that provides proteins and healthy fats. It is not recommended to choose products that are light or 0% fat.

WARNING!

Depending on the type of bariatric surgery performed, the recommendations for each stage of the diet may differ. For example, after sleeve gastrectomy, a dietician will instruct you on how to avoid constipation problems during the first month and how to deal with possible diarrhea after a gastric bypass. Other recommendations will also apply after the so-called “gastroplasty of the stomach”. There are also differences in recommendations in terms of supplementation and the frequency of follow-up visits. While this may sound overwhelming, be assured our team of Szpital na Klinach will support you at every stage of your treatment plan and empower you with the skills and knowledge to provide the best care over your body as possible.