Being overweight can be hazardous to your health. Being obese, on the other hand, is almost certain to cause complications related to your weight. The Centers for Disease Control defines obesity as anyone with a body mass index of over 30. A body mass index is nothing more than a measurement of body fat content. Bariatric surgery can help reduce weight through a number of surgical methods and a strict diet once surgery is over.
Steps of the Diet
No matter the method of bariatric surgery, whether it's a shortening of the intestine, a decreasing of stomach size or a combination of the two, you're not going to be eating solid foods for two to three months following surgery. There are several stages of the diet that are designed to slowly return you to solid foods.
Liquid Diet
The diet begins as a strictly liquid diet for the first two weeks. You can have cream soups and broth but no chunks. Yogurt and pudding are two other common foods that you can eat. Along with these you can drink non-caffeinated, non-carbonated sugar-free beverages. During this phase of the diet, protein will be hard to come by, so supplements taken in liquid form are a necessity.
Puree Diet
The puree diet is the next step in getting back to solid foods and takes place between two and six weeks after surgery. During the puree diet you can eat things like chicken and turkey, but they must be pureed. Sugar is still a no-no, as is caffeine and carbonation. Protein shakes will still be a large part of your diet but because you can now have some forms of meat and eggs, you won't need to supplement as much.
Soft Foods
At six weeks you can begin bringing is semi-solid foods. Skinless chicken and turkey, 90 percent lean ground beef and beans are just a few of the foods that you can introduce to your new gastric system. Caffeine, sugar and carbonation are still not on the menu, but you can have Kool-aid or decaf coffee if water isn't your thing. High fat foods aren't on the list either, and you should avoid eating bready substances. Even though dough and pretzels may qualify as soft food, they can also block the stomach exit, requiring a visit to the doctor.
Maintenance Diet
After 9 to 11 weeks, you can start eating solids again. Your doctor will work with you over the first couple of months to define what foods you should focus on in order to lose weight and remain healthy. Fruits, proteins, starches and fats will play a big role in what, and how much, you consume of certain foods in the future.
