Gastric bypass surgery is usually done as a last resort for those who are very overweight and have tried many weight loss methods and have failed. During gastric bypass, a surgeon creates a pouch in the top of the stomach, which is about the size of a walnut and holds approximately one ounce of food. This pouch bypasses a portion of the small intestines, which allows you to avoid storing excessive calories. This surgery works but you must perform some lifestyle changes for it to be successful. One change is with diet.
Liquids
After your surgery, your diet will go through several phases. The first phase is the liquid phase. Immediately after your surgery you will be unable to eat for a few days. This allows your body to heal. The liquid phase of the diet usually lasts for a few days. This consists of foods that are liquid or semi liquid and are composed of mainly water. An example of these foods would be broth, juice, jello and cooked cereal. You will eat very small meals and will eat often. It's also good to sip liquids throughout the day to keep the stomach flushed.
Low-Fat, Substantive Liquids
Once you begin holding down clear liquids with no problems you may switch to another liquid that has more substance. Carnation instant breakfast drink or other protein shakes are usually recommended. Ensure and Sustacal are other name brand protein shakes that you can look for. This stage will last one to two weeks depending on how you are healing. It's also good to take a multivitamin to ensure you are getting proper nutrition.
Pureed Foods
After a few days you will be allowed to eat foods with a slightly thicker consistency such as mashed potatoes, cream cheese and scrambled eggs. Strained baby foods are an excellent choice at this stage of the diet because they can provide adequate nutrition. This stage lasts a couple of weeks and helps your transition into a normal diet.
Regular Diet
Begin your regular diet around two months after your surgery. Eat plenty of proteins at every meal, for example tuna, chicken and pork. Eat healthy snacks such as fruit and fresh vegetables and eat often while sipping liquids between meals.
Lifelong Changes
After gastric bypass you will need to change the way you once ate. You will eat four to five small meals every day instead of three larger ones. Over time, the stomach pouch will stretch and grow larger; and you will be able to eat three slightly larger meals instead of the more frequent meals. You need to begin a balanced diet that consists of a variation of carbs, fat, proteins, and vitamins and minerals. If you don't eat smaller meals after bypass, you will experience feelings of pressure or fullness below the ribcage, nausea and possibly pain in your upper chest.
