Having an unhealthy, high-calorie and fatty diet, along with not having enough physical activity, causes excessive obesity in people. In individuals with a BMI exceeding 40 due to obesity, medical practitioners may necessitate the performance of stomach surgeries such as sleeve, bypass, gastric balloon, and similar procedures. In these surgeries, alterations are made to the process of food digestion by either reducing the stomach volume or modifying the route of food passage. Subsequently, patients are required to adhere to a series of dietary guidelines following the surgery.
Of course, after gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon will provide nutritional instructions according to the type of surgery and the patient’s condition. In this article, we try to state the general issues regarding nutritional recommendations after gastric surgery. Following these nutritional instructions will help the patient lose weight properly after surgery. Usually, 3 months after surgery, the patient can have a normal diet by following a healthy diet.
The general principles of nutrition after gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery are as follows:
• Drink at least 2 liters of sugar-free fluids daily. Drinking plenty of water after surgery prevents gallstones, kidney stones, and blood clots.
• Do not drink liquids about 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after eating and try not to drink liquids between meals.
• Try to keep the amount of food and liquids consumed at each time small in order to avoid nausea, diarrhea, sweating and confusion due to dumping syndrome.
• Eat low sugar foods and drinks and avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Be sure to take the supplements and vitamins prescribed by your surgeon and nutritionist as directed by your doctor.
• Chew your food well before swallowing.
Nutritional recommendations following gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery typically undergo division into four periods.
1. Nutrition recommendations for the first week of bypass surgery and sleeve surgery
- On the morning of the first day after the surgery, with the permission of the doctor or nurse, you can drink water and tea briefly, the temperature of both should be balanced so that you don’t get spasms. Be sure to drink liquids in sips so as not to cause nausea.
- If your stomach can tolerate the consumption of tea and water well, you can consume low-fat yogurt, natural fruit juice and low-fat milk until the fifth day.
- From the fifth day to the seventh day, eat diluted soup without solid elements, chicken broth and meat broth. With the doctor’s permission, you can flavor them by adding a little lemon juice by the doctor’s permission.
2. Nutrition recommendations for the second week
- In the second week, you can use mixed vegetable soup (thick). Try not to use too many spices in the soup, but there is nothing wrong with adding a small amount of lemon juice or orange juice.
- You can also use protein shake.
- It is safe to drink vegetable juice.
- If prescribed and allowed by the surgeon, it will be safe to consume lean meat once or twice a week.
- Cooked pureed vegetables and pureed fruit without sugar can also be consumed in the second week after surgery.
3. Nutrition recommendations for the third week
As the healing process progresses, the surgeon will allow you to use 2 to 3 tablespoons of soft food. Try to take small bites and chew well. Using a fork or a small spoon will help you.
4. Nutritional recommendations 1 month after bypass and sleeve surgery
One month after the surgery, the patient’s nutrition returns to normal routine. Of course, the volume of the stomach has decreased to receive food. Therefore, in addition to eating less, you should follow a healthy diet and avoid eating fatty and high-calorie foods. Keep sugar consumption in balance.
For more information, you can talk to Nora Health Tour experts in the contact section. Also, the gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery section can provide you with useful information.
