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I have no clue what the Doctor will hand us for our diet plan but I wanted to start filling my fridge and cupboards to get prepared. Here is what I found from the mayo clinic. Just kind of a what to expect thing.
The gastric bypass diet is designed for people who are recovering from gastric bypass surgery to help them heal and change their eating habits. Your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you with a gastric bypass diet by guiding meal planning.
A gastric bypass diet specifies what type and how much food you can eat at each meal. Closely following your gastric bypass diet can help you lose weight safely.
Purpose
The gastric bypass diet has several purposes:
- To allow the staple line in your stomach to heal without being stretched by the food you eat
- To get you accustomed to eating the smaller amounts of food that can be digested comfortably and safely in your smaller stomach
- To help you lose weight and avoid gaining excess weight
- To avoid side effects and complications
Diet details
Diet recommendations after gastric bypass surgery or other weight-loss surgery vary depending on the type of surgery, where the surgery is performed and your individual situation.
Most commonly, the gastric bypass diet has four phases to help you ease back into eating solid foods. How quickly you move from one step to the next depends on how fast your body heals and adjusts to the change in eating patterns. You can usually start eating regular foods with a firmer texture about three months after surgery.
After gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgery, you must pay extra attention to signs that you feel hungry or full. You may develop some food intolerances or aversions.
Phase 1: Liquid diet
You won't be allowed to eat for one to two days after gastric bypass surgery so that your stomach can start to heal. After that, while you're still in the hospital, you start a diet of liquids and semisolid foods to see how you tolerate foods after surgery.
Foods you may be able to have on phase 1 of the gastric bypass diet include:
- Broth
- Unsweetened juice
- Milk
- Strained cream soup
- Sugar-free gelatin
During phase 1, sip fluids slowly and drink only 2 to 3 ounces (59 to 89 milliliters, or mL) at a time. Don't drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages. And don't eat and drink at the same time. Wait about 30 minutes after a meal to drink anything.
Phase 2: Pureed foods
Once you're able to tolerate liquid foods for a few days, you can begin to eat pureed (mashed up) foods. During this two- to four-week-long phase, you can only eat foods that have the consistency of a smooth paste or a thick liquid, without any solid pieces of food in the mixture.
To puree your foods, choose solid foods that will blend well, such as:
- Lean ground meats
- Beans
- Fish
- Egg whites
- Yogurt
- Soft fruits and vegetables
- Cottage cheese
Blend the solid food with a liquid, such as:
- Water
- Fat-free milk
- Juice with no sugar added
- Broth
- Fat-free gravy
Keep in mind that your digestive system might still be sensitive to spicy foods or dairy products. If you'd like to eat these foods during this phase, add them into your diet slowly and in small amounts.
Phase 3: Soft, solid foods
With your doctor's OK, after a few weeks of pureed foods, you can add soft, solid foods to your diet. If you can mash your food with a fork, it's soft enough to include in this phase of your diet.
During this phase, your diet can include:
- Ground or finely diced meats
- Canned or soft, fresh fruit
- Cooked vegetables
You usually eat soft foods for eight weeks before eating foods of regular consistency with firmer texture, as recommended by your dietitian or doctor.
Phase 4: Solid foods
After about eight weeks on the gastric bypass diet, you can gradually return to eating firmer foods. You may find that you still have difficulty eating spicier foods or foods with crunchy textures. Start slowly with regular foods to see what foods you can tolerate.
Avoid these foods
Even at this stage after surgery, avoid these foods:
- Nuts and seeds
- Popcorn
- Dried fruits
- Sodas and carbonated beverages
- Granola
- Stringy or fibrous vegetables, such as celery, broccoli, corn or cabbage
- Tough meats or meats with gristle
- Breads
These foods are discouraged because they typically aren't well tolerated in the weeks after surgery and might cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Over time, you may be able to try some of these foods again, with the guidance of your doctor.
A return to normal
Three to four months after weight-loss surgery, you may be able to start returning to a normal healthy diet, depending on your situation and any foods you may not be able to tolerate. It's possible that foods that initially irritated your stomach after surgery may become more tolerable as your stomach continues to heal.
Throughout the phases
To ensure that you get enough vitamins and minerals and keep your weight-loss goals on track, at each phase of the gastric bypass diet, you should:
- Keep meals small. During the diet progression, you should eat several small meals a day and sip liquids slowly throughout the day (not with meals). You might first start with six small meals a day, then move to four meals and finally, when following a regular diet, decrease to three meals a day. Each meal should include about a half-cup to a cup of food. Make sure you eat only the recommended amounts and stop eating before you feel full.
- Take recommended vitamin and mineral supplements.Because a portion of your small intestine is bypassed after surgery, your body won't be able to absorb enough nutrients from your food. You'll need to take a multivitamin supplement every day for the rest of your life, so talk to your doctor about what type of multivitamin might be right for you, and whether you might need to take additional supplements, such as calcium.
- Drink liquids between meals. Drinking liquids with your meals can cause pain, nausea and vomiting as well as dumping syndrome. Also, drinking too much liquid at or around mealtime can leave you feeling overly full and prevent you from eating enough nutrient-rich foods. Expect to drink at least 6 to 8 cups (48 to 64 ounces or 1.4 to 1.9 liters) of fluids a day to prevent dehydration.
- Eat and drink slowly. Eating or drinking too quickly may cause dumping syndrome — when foods and liquids enter your small intestine rapidly and in larger amounts than normal, causing nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating and eventually diarrhea. To prevent dumping syndrome, choose foods and liquids low in fat and sugar, eat and drink slowly, and wait 30 to 45 minutes before or after each meal to drink liquids. Take at least 30 minutes to eat your meals and 30 to 60 minutes to drink 1 cup (237 milliliters) of liquid. Avoid foods high in fat and sugar, such as nondiet soda, candy, candy bars and ice cream.
- Chew food thoroughly. The new opening that leads from your stomach into your intestine is very small, and larger pieces of food can block the opening. Blockages prevent food from leaving your stomach and can cause vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Take small bites of food and chew them to a pureed consistency before swallowing. If you can't chew the food thoroughly, don't swallow it.
- Try new foods one at a time. After surgery, certain foods may cause nausea, pain and vomiting or may block the opening of the stomach. The ability to tolerate foods varies from person to person. Try one new food at a time and chew thoroughly before swallowing. If a food causes discomfort, don't eat it. As time passes, you may be able to eat this food. Foods and liquids that commonly cause discomfort include meat, bread, pasta, rice, raw vegetables, milk and carbonated beverages. Food textures not tolerated well include dry, sticky or stringy foods.
- Focus on high-protein foods. Immediately after your surgery, eating high-protein foods can help heal your wounds, regrow muscle and skin, and prevent hair loss. High-protein, low-fat choices remain a good long-term diet option after your surgery, as well. Try adding lean cuts of beef, chicken, pork, fish or beans to your diet. Low-fat cheese, cottage cheese and yogurts also are good protein sources.
- Avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar. After your surgery, it may be difficult for your digestive system to tolerate foods that are high in fat or added sugars. Avoid foods that are fried and look for sugar-free options of soft drinks and dairy products.
Results
Gastric bypass and other bariatric surgery can result in long-term weight loss. The amount of weight you lose depends on your type of weight-loss surgery and the changes you make in your lifestyle habits. It may be possible to lose half, or even more, of your excess weight within two years.
The gastric bypass diet can help you recover from surgery and return to enjoying many of the healthy foods before surgery. And remember that if you return to unhealthy eating habits after weight-loss surgery, you may not lose all of your excess weight, or you can eventually regain any weight that you do lose.
Risks
The greatest risks of the gastric bypass diet come from not following the diet properly. If you eat too much or eat food that you shouldn't, you could have complications. These include:
- Dumping syndrome. This complication occurs most often after eating foods high in sugar or fat. These foods travel quickly through your stomach pouch and "dump" into your intestine. Dumping syndrome can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating and eventually diarrhea.
- Dehydration. Because you're not supposed to drink fluids with your meals, some people become dehydrated. You can prevent dehydration by sipping 48 to 64 ounces (1.4 to 1.9 liters) of water or other low-calorie beverages throughout the day.
- Nausea and vomiting. If you eat too much, eat too fast or don't chew your food adequately, you may become nauseated or vomit after meals.
- Constipation. If you don't follow a regular schedule for eating your meals, don't eat enough fiber or don't exercise, you may become constipated.
- Blocked opening of your stomach pouch. It's possible for food to become lodged at the opening of your stomach pouch, even if you carefully follow the diet. Signs and symptoms of a blocked stomach opening include ongoing nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Call your doctor if you have these symptoms for more than two days.
- Weight gain or failure to lose weight. If you continue to gain weight or fail to lose weight on the gastric bypass diet, it's possible you could be eating too many calories. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about changes you can make to your diet.
These simple tricks can help you survive holiday party season relatively unscathed.
Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of holiday craziness — the stress, the parties, the overeating, the gluttony. But that doesn’t mean the holidays have to add to your waistline. You worked hard this year for that body and you can still survive the festivities without doing big damage. Here are some simple tricks to help keep you from overindulging (you can thank us later).
1. Eat with your non-dominant hand.
This simple mindfulness trick can help you slow down when chowing down, making you “more aware of what you’re eating because it’s a conscious effort,” says Susan Albers, Psy.D., author ofEat Q: Unlock the Weight-Loss Power of Emotional Intelligence and a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic. One study also found that it helps eaters reduce their intake by 30 percent.
2. Distract your mouth — with mint.
Peppermint has been shown to suppress the appetite and it can affect how you perceive tastes and flavors. “Think about how unappetizing it is to eat something after you brush your teeth,” Albers says. In that vein, try popping a breath mint, rinsing with mouthwash or swiping gloss on your lips once you feel satiated, recommends Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and author of the upcoming book Younger Next Week. Albers also suggests sucking on a candy cane to distract yourself from overindulging, since it takes a “long time to eat and [will] keep your hands occupied.”
3. Skip the usual suspects.
With so many seasonal goodies to feast on, ditch the cookies, brownies and other treats that are available year-round, Albers suggests. Worthy indulgences include eggnog and pecan and pumpkin pies. And don’t feel pressured to polish off that slice of pie if you’re not digging it. “Don’t waste calories — move on to something else,” says Zied. (Or as Albers puts it, go ahead and “be a food snob.”)
4. When it comes to drinks, think small.
There are two perks to choosing the smallest ****tail glass at your company’s holiday party: not drunk-texting your office crush and limiting the number of empty calories you’re swigging. One serving of wine (5 ounces) has around 100 calories, while a cup of eggnog has more than 200 calories. “Be mindful of the glass and know your limits,” says Albers.
5. Go bubbly. - SOMETHING NOT TO DO AFTER SURGERY!!!!
Joy Bauer, the nutritionist for NBC’s Today Show and founder of Nourish Snacks, likes to chug two bottles of calorie-free carbonated water before a holiday celebration. “The bubbles really fill you up,” she says.
6. Love your veggies.
Zied encourages her clients to load up on water-rich veggies and lean protein throughout the day to keep their appetite in check before a big night on the town. Veggies like romaine lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, kale and cauliflower are low in calories but high in water content, and each packs fiber and other vital nutrients, she explains.
7. Dress to impress.
That’s right — don’t be shy. Wearing form-fitting clothes that flatter your body can motivate you to not reach for a second helping of stuffing or mashed potatoes. “Feeling good in your outfit is a great way to reinforce moderate eating and drinking,” notes Zied.
8. Partake in merry festivities (like shopping)
Winter weather may make you want to hibernate, but participating in the more “active” holiday festivities can help you blast calories without trekking to the gym. Albers says holiday shopping is a great calorie-burner (yes, you physically have to go to the stores) and even caroling around the neighborhood counts as exercise. Shoveling snow will make you sweat, and sledding with family and friends is a great way to get that heart rate up.
9. Prioritize your commitments.
Bauer advises strategically choosing which parties you’re going to attend over the next few weeks. It’s flattering to be invited to every party, but making an appearance at each event can be tiring and throw your healthy eating off track. Instead, look at the calendar and decide which parties are worth the splurge.
10. Practice ‘Out of sight, out of mind.’
Park yourself far away from the buffet table and dining room. You can’t be tempted if you can’t see the dessert tray. “When food is calling your name, go somewhere where food can’t follow you,” says Albers. Bauer also recommends hanging out with “the talkers” and not “the eaters.” “Eating is so contagious,” she says. “Make a point to catch up with old friends and relatives.”
I think I did very bad during Thanksgiving. I was unrealistic in my self management and ate whatever was there. I really didn't care. That's the reality of it. I am full of guilt now. But what's done is done. I am going to get back on the wagon. How did you all do? If you read these.... Blahh
Why can’t you wear make-up or finger nail polish during surgery?
A very common question asked by those preparing for surgery is why they have to remove their fingernail polish and why they can’t wear makeup during surgery. Both of these items are clearly stated on the preoperative documents from BOSC.The answer is quite simple actually. Make-up and nail polish hinder the surgeon’s ability to monitor your well being during surgery. Since you cannot communicate with the surgeon on how you are feeling, the surgeon will monitor the signs from your body to let them know.
Fingernail Polish – When you’re in surgery, you will have a probe placed on the end of your finger to read the oxygen level in your blood. This probe cannot read through artificial nails or nail polish. Also, if your oxygen levels do drop, your fingernails would turn blue; signaling it to the surgeon, but this would be hidden by your nail polish.
Makeup – Face makeup can mask your true skin color, which is an easy signal to the surgeon on how your body is handling the surgery. In addition, if the surgeon needs to put tape on your face or body, it may not stick to the make-up or cream on your skin.
I have finally finished my profile. I wrote my story and boy am I a sad sap. Wholy cow!!!!!! I also want you all to know that I blog on a regular-ish basis so that I can remember how I am feeling and what I am going through. I want to look back at my progress and see the difference. Plus this is such a great community that I can only hope I can be as much of an inspiration to others as they have been to me.
I have read so much on here. When I see blogs and threads, I read them. I saw a lot of people answer questions that i hear asked in class. Some of it can be answered in class, but this place is in real time and there are plenty of people going through what ever questions you have about any stage. And they are going through it now. I just hope we can all use this place as a tool. I know I will be here long after my surgery is over and done. This is my safe zone. Everyone here is, was, or is going to be, in my shoes. I love this website.
Ways to Avoid Emotional Eating list
- Hang out on your favorite ObesityHelp.com message board (or check out others) and post
- Set up (or review) Health Tracker on ObesityHelp.com
- Change your environment to change your mindset, i.e., from your family room to go outside
- Call a friend or loved one
- Take a walk
- Do a crossword puzzle
- Garden
- Brush your teeth
- Paint your nails
- Take a shower or a bath
- Drink water (many times thirst masks as hunger)
- Organize a bothersome drawer or closet
- Play a video game
- Check out new apps on your mobile device
- Read a magazine
- Try out a new hobby
- Catch up on emails
- Go shopping at a mall
- Walk around the mall while you’re there
- Eat a cinnamon or mint flavored sugar free mint
- Watch a movie
- Make a cup of soothing herbal tea
- Watch a favorite television show
- Write in a journal
- Do crunches and/or push-ups
- Take a drive – either alone or invite someone to go with you
- Create your own goal using the ObesityHelp Goal System
- Put in an exercise DVD and workout
- Play solitaire
- Listen to your favorite tunes
- Dance to those favorite tunes
- Check out Before/After Photos for lots of motivation
- Lift weights, kettlebells or use resistance bands to tone and build muscle
- Go for a bike ride
- Call, write a note or email to tell someone how much they mean to you
- Create a scrapbook of your favorite photos or your own weight loss journey
- Color in a coloring book (remember how much fun you had as a child?)
- Write down 10 people and things you are most grateful for
- Read a book
- Play a board game with friends and family
- Check out classes or lessons (singing, piano, cooking) that you’re interested in
- Paint
- Try a hobby that will involve your hands such as looming, knitting, embroidery, counted cross stitch, floral design, etc.
- Write down the reasons you had weight loss surgery and wanted to lose weight; post it on your refrigerator
- Prepare a new healthy and WLS-friendly dish
- Take a nap
- Take photographs of family, friends, outside and some selfies
- Plan your next vacation
- Play (or learn) an instrument
- Pray or Meditate
- Do Yoga
- Work on a jigsaw puzzle
- Go to the library and check out books
- Work on a Sudoku puzzle
- Buy an audio book that you listen to only when you are exercising
- Make jewelry
- Check out volunteer opportunities in your community, i.e. school, church, hospitals, a favorite cause
- Read motivational and inspirational quotes
- Cruise the Internet to research more about things you’re interested in or, better yet, new things of interest to you
- And last but not least, address what’s really bothering you.
I wrote a blog about it. Check it out on my page. I was just wondering if anyone else was having food issues? I am actually starting fresh today. I think my 2 weeks of grieving is over. It was weird.
That's funny! I was too busy to think about it. I think it's a mind game. I need more stressful activities in my life. My work morning was tragic so I didn't think and being hungry! I was cussing at 3 of the employees. YIKES! Anyway... Time for shake 2!
It's so weird how my body works. For some reason I didn't feel like even bothering with food today. I drank a shake for breakfast, at 7 a banana an hour later, then another shake at 10am. And I feel fine. Other days I feel like crap after I drink it. Starving. Foggy, not nurished. But today I'm fine. Screw you body! Hehe
Don't give up. We'll get there! It's our turn!!