Question:
What can you eat? I hear al ot of what you can't eat...

I am new at this: wanting to have gastric bypass... any help out there?    — preop40 (posted on February 11, 2010)

February 11, 2010
Immediately after surgery, you're pretty limited as to what you can eat for quite a while, because the most important thing you can do is to get all the protein you need, and you're not going to find that in bread or pasta or potatoes or stuff like that. So, you eat scrambled eggs or Eggbeaters, smooth low-fat yogurt, fat-free cottage or ricotta cheese, protein-fortified sugar-free-fat-free pudding, and fat free refried beans. As time goes by, you add in stuff like poached fish (I liked tilapia), stewed chicken, really mashed up tuna or chicken salad made with low-fat mayo, liverwurst, peanut butter. At about 6 weeks out, we could have a quarter of a piece of whole grain bread or a couple of crackers with the tuna or chicken salad or liverwurst. At about two months I began to add in a couple of bites of fruit - but only AFTER I'd eaten the protein I needed to eat. I am 11 months out now, and I can eat almost anything I want...but there are a lot of things I used to want that I no longer find appealing, like hamburger, most beef, most bread, and MOST carbs...I still love my chocolate, but NOW I have the threat of dumping syndrome to keep me in line when I think about having more than just a bite. One thing I've discovered is the Gardein vegetarian entrees - you can get them at Safeway stores - they are absolutely delicious, and high in protein, to boot! I can even go to places like Q'Doba and have a side of shredded pork (it's the leanest meat on their menu) topped with a ladle-full of 3-cheese queso (but only if I have really limited my fats for the day). I can go to any restaurant and ask for skinless, boneless, grilled chicken or turkey; or someplace that serves breakfast all day and have Eggbeaters with mushrooms, spinach, and a little bit of shredded cheese scrambled in. I eat string cheese or mini babybel lite cheese (keeping an eye on my fat intake), and I LOVE Jack Links' Turkey Jerky! I also buy the Great Value Fat Free Turkey Breast lunchmeat at Walmart, and I will roll up a piece of that around half a tablespoon of fat-free cream cheese, or low-fat hummus. If I want a treat, I buy the sugar-free low-fat jello puddings and have one before bed. All it boils down to is that after surgery, you will be severely limited on HOW MUCH you can eat.... and some people find that their tastes change and they no longer like what they used to love. And remember, adding foods back in is a process that takes time. And, some foods will make you sick - like too much fat or too much sugar. And then again, if you concentrate on eating too many carbs and not enough protein, you'll end up in trouble with your labs. So, I hope I've answered your question!
   — Erica Alikchihoo

February 11, 2010
Hi, I am six months out and I am still having problems with protein, so I supplement with protein shakes. I can now have fruit, and I try to have whole wheat crackers. I am starting to throw up again so the whole grain crackers upset my pouch. It is not easy but worth it.
   — FSUMom

February 11, 2010
I am 20 months out and eat ever i want, but I have re learned to eat healthier and everything I do consume has some nutritional value to it. I do not eat iceberg lettuce as there is no value. I can eat almost anything. I do have a hard time with some pork and beef, but I am adjusting well. I do not consume much sugar (dumping) and even if I do have, for example, no sugar added ice cream, I limit the amount to 1/2 cup or less depending on my days intake. I have lost 120 lbs (10 months), and have maintained that loss since. I have every intension of staying right around where I am and maybe losing a lb or 2 more. I eat 4 , 4 ounce meals a day and it works for me. 1300-1500 calories. Good luck to you on your journey! Hugs n God Bless, Kim
   — gpcmist

February 11, 2010
My RNY was August of 2008. I have reached my goal and I can eat almost anything that I want. I don't eat a lot of sugar or whole milk becuase they tend to upset my stomach if I over do it, but if I have a craving I eat a bit or two and it goes away. The only things that I absolutly do not eat is pepperoni and tough or reheated meat. It was worth every day of watching and worring about what I can or can't eat and what I should or shouldn't eat. I would do it all over in a heartbeat.
   — phyllismmay

February 11, 2010
When you meet with your bariatric dietician they should be going into great detail on what the call the "phases" of your new diet. What you will be able to eat someone else may not be able to tolerate. It will be a process and different for everyone.
   — Cindya19