The Long Term WLS / VSG Post-Op
Diet is designed to bring about significant weight loss, and learning new
eating habits helping to maintain this weight loss over time...
In general, the
diet includes foods that are high in protein, and low in fat, fiber, calories,
and sugar. Important vitamins and minerals are provided as supplements. It is
also crucial to get enough protein right after surgery, to make sure that wounds
heal properly and over the long term, to preserve muscle tissue. Too much fat
delays emptying of the stomach and may cause reflux, nausea, stomach
discomfort, or diarrhea. Sugary foods like candies, cookies, ice cream,
milkshakes or soft drinks, sweetened juices, and most desserts are foods high
in calories and fat, and they can promotes dumping syndrome in some patients
with by-passed stomach.
The Long Term WLS / VSG Post-Op diet
(basically, in gastric bypass or restrictive procedures) unfolds in 4 Phases:
- The first phase of the restricted diet, after the operation, consists in clear liquids for 2-3 days.
- And then followed by phase two a low-fat full liquid with high protein content (At least 60 g/day) for 2 to 4 weeks. Liquid yogurt based-diet, preferable with added protein or commercial products of enteral nutrition vs. formula-diet (as usual in the very low calorie-diet) are some of the alternatives at this period.
- Soft/blended diets are indicated 4-6 weeks after discharge (some patients may need to wait longer).
- The puree diet includes very soft, high-protein foods like egg, low-fat cheese, or blenderized lean meats like chicken, veal or pork and fish (red meats are usually less tolerated).
The regular diet starts
about 12 weeks or later after bariatric surgery... It is important to start with
high-protein foods, like white eggs, lean meats, cheese or milk, at every meal.
Each meal should take between 20-30 min, in much smaller amounts (50-100 g),
and chewing carefully. Fluids should be consumed on a near-constant basis; sip
slowing but only in between meals. It will be necessary to contact to a dietician
for advice on planning an individualized regular diet pattern, and management
of lifestyle changes.
Remember to follow the meal
to make sure that you lose more weight and also to create a better eating
habit, once you learn to eat better and healthier you will feel better and
prevent future digestive problems.
