Food for Gastric Bypass Patients
With obesity rates looming larger than ever for Americans, more and more clinics and hospitals now offer gastric bypass (or bariatric) surgery to combat extreme weight gain. But like any other surgery, the procedure comes with risks. Dieting before and after a gastric bypass keeps some of these complications to a minimum.
The Facts
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital cites that one in 300 bariatric surgery patients will die due to complications from the procedure mainly due to other, related health issues or from pulmonary embolism. Other patients encounter problems from scar tissue, infection, bleeding and nutritional deficiencies. Ten percent either fail to lose weight or gain it all back over time. With an eye to dieting and exercise, those undergoing gastric bypass must maintain a healthy weight and prevent vitamin deficiencies.
Features
Size and content matter. The Mayo Clinic prescribes small amounts of food because bariatric surgery creates a pouch the size of a walnut at the top of the stomach, and then bypasses the rest of the organ for the contents to travel to the small intestine. Initially, patients will not be able to eat large amounts, and should eliminate high-fat and high-calorie foods, sugar and caffeine. Exercise and take prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements. The clinic also advises patients to eat small portions, consume food and beverages slowly, chew thoroughly and to drink between meals. Drinking during a meal and eating too fast triggers "dumping syndrome"---when food and liquids enter the small intestine too rapidly. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal before drinking anything.
Time Frame
Progress slowly when consuming different types of food. The Highland Hospital Bariatric Center provides a detailed schedule, printable meal plans and a few recipes for each stage (see resources below). The first post-op stage includes protein-supplemented liquids only, such as broth, strained cream soups, skim milk and some low-carbohydrate shakes. Patients progress to stage two: pureed foods for four weeks. These include skinless poultry, fish, low-fat dairy products and soy products. The following six to nine weeks incorporate soft foods. The hospital recommends 90% lean ground beef, skinless poultry, cooked cereals and vegetables without seeds or skin. For all stages, drink plenty of water, or sugar and caffeine free beverages, so long as they are not carbonated.
Warning
Always consult a certified nutritionist before and after surgery, take prescribed supplements and vitamins, and avoid snacking between meals. Following these guidelines prevents deficiencies and weight gain. Also remember to introduce new foods to your diet one at a time to keep track of items that cause dumping syndrome.
Considerations
Some of the reasons bariatric surgery patients gain weight post surgery are a lack of exercise, eating too much, or eating the wrong foods. The procedure will only work when accompanied by lifestyle changes--if a patient steadily increases food consumption post-op, then the patient steadily stretches the capacity of the pouch at the top of the stomach. Snacking between meals and eating high calorie foods (even in smaller quantities) also increase weight gain.
