Bariatric surgery is intended for severely overweight patients as a tool to help lose weight. The vegetarian or vegan who undergoes this weight loss surgery can be assured there is ample variety of proteins to consume for success in their post-bariatric diet. It will be important to include lifestyle changes for success. Fortunately, the nature of the recuperative stages will help make those changes over the first nine months following surgery.
Stage One
The first 24 hours will focus on water in small quantities to avoid overfilling the stomach and rupturing the sutures. Eating solids isn't the focus; just making sure the new stomach is tolerating liquids and draining properly. If there are no complications, stage two will begin the next day, per Duke Medicine.
Stage Two
You will drink a high protein, nutritionally complete mix every waking hour. The mixes usually contain dairy. For vegans plan ahead, get the physician's approval to bring your own protein drink while in the hospital. Buy a mix with at least 10 grams of protein and no more than 30 grams of sugar in an eight-ounce serving.
This liquid diet phase will last approximately three weeks. During this time keeping hydrated is more important than protein intake. However, protein is very important in healing after surgery and in a healthy weight loss. Adequate protein may help avoid hair loss due to rapid weight loss. Consume 45 to 60 grams of protein and take chewable multivitamins for optimal health. Vegetarian and vegan protein powder mixes contain plenty of protein for this diet.
Before stage three, the physician will order a consultation with a nutritionist to discuss incorporating solid food. Bring up any additional questions or concerns during this visit regarding your vegetarian diet.
Stage Three
Over the next six to eight weeks, you will add soft foods to the diet as tolerated. Supplement with protein drinks to achieve the dietary goals if needed. For vegetarians soft protein foods include eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and soft cheese. Vegans and vegetarians can partake of any legumes especially beans, lentils, split peas and tofu. These are excellent protein sources and low-fat foods. Avoid peanut butter and pasta; they are often too sticky for the new stomach to tolerate. Don't eat crunchy nuts or hard cheeses; the stomach is not yet able to digest them, according to Duke Medicine.
Stage Four
Introduce solid foods at about 10 to 12 weeks after surgery. Include at least three ounces of protein at each meal such as eggs, cottage cheese, beans or tofu. Don't fill up on high-fat cheese instead of well-balanced meals. During the first three months avoid hard-to-digest foods including raw vegetables, apple skins and nuts.
After six months, add one new food at a time to ensure it is tolerated before adding more. By nine months the body should be adjusted and able to eat most vegetarian and vegan foods, but in smaller quantities. Your maintenance diet will focus on protein, fruits and vegetables, avoiding junk food or empty calories.
