The Bariatric Surgery Diet

After bariatric surgery, new and very small stomachs will often hold only about an ounce. For the first week after surgery, patients can only tolerate nutritious fluids. In the second week, high-fat foods like cottage cheese, yogurt, and soft eggs can be added. After that, the patient can add one solid meal at a time, such as a well-cooked vegetable, fish, or chicken. It is important that patients chew this dense food carefully, eating only a few tablespoons of sitting.

Post-surgery, patients should avoid high-carb foods such as chips, pretzels, breads, rice, and pasta, as they develop and can lead to dangerous blockages. Lactose is also hard to digest and can cause nausea, cramps, gas, or diarrhea. Patients who like milk should wait to be introduced again until the third week after the procedure.

Protein is a very important nutrient, so a good rule of thumb is to eat protein first, then follow it with fruits and vegetables. This will ensure that a minimum of 60 grams of daily protein is used. Patients still need to take extra protein in the form of a liquid, powder, or protein bar. In addition, the patient will have a lifetime regimen of vitamin and mineral supplements after surgery.

Failure to adhere to dietary guidelines after bariatric surgery can lead to serious complications. Early dumping syndrome, which generally affects the pockets, can cause minor symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and more severe uterus such as low blood pressure, fainting, sweating, and anxiety. Late dumping syndrome, when food enters the intestines too early, can cause hypoglycemia, sweating, rapid pulse, anxiety, and sometimes confusion.

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