Gastric Bypass Diet Tips: What to eat after Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass diet Perth

Adhering to your diet plan for gastric bypass after surgery is vital to both reducing the risk of complications after your operation and to ensure the long-term success of the procedure.

What you need to consider after a gastric bypass

Bariatric surgery can make a significant difference to a patient’s life, with those who have had the surgery losing as much as 80 per cent of their excess weight. Its success is dependent on sticking to a diet plan post gastric bypass. When you decide to undergo bariatric surgery to manage your weight, your bariatric surgeon will typically work with a dietitian to help you prepare for surgery and stay healthy afterwards. Here at The Surgeons Collective, your dietitian will provide you with clear meal plans. She will also make recommendations straight after surgery and in the weeks ahead. Our mission is to stand by your side as you are on your treatment journey so you receive the best possible care, support and dietary information.

Food for thought: eating after bariatric surgery

The first two weeks after your gastric bypass, your diet will entail consuming high protein fluids. It’s recommended that you have five to six meals a day to ensure you meet your nutritional needs and make sure you drink slowly. Remember, you don’t have the stomach capacity for large meals or to eat or drink quickly, so each meal should take you 30 to 40 minutes. You must avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks and limit the amount of coffee you drink.

Over the next two weeks, you’ll slowly move to pureed foods, including soups, pureed casseroles, and yoghurt. By week five you can start to introduce soft foods, such as flaked fish, scrambled eggs, soft vegetables, and even well-cooked stews. And by week six you can return to a normal healthy diet, but maintaining small portions.

You will need to take supplements throughout your life, particularly calcium, to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs. This is when you can count on our multi-disciplinary team here at The Surgeons Collective, to offer you genuine care and support, and to work with you so you can implement new and healthy habits after your weight loss surgery.

Improving outcomes after bariatric surgery

Even before you go in for surgery, your bariatric surgeon will recommend a low-calorie diet, typically with medically recommended shakes, to lessen the risks of the operation by reducing your liver size and fat tissue around your stomach.

Remember that even with these careful steps, your stomach will be very swollen after your surgery. So it’s important that you strictly adhere to your gastric bypass as recommended by your dietitian. You then can upgrade slowly over 6 weeks before returning to normal textures of foods.

Can a gastric bypass diet reduce dumping syndrome?

What you eat after surgery is not only essential to keeping the weight off but also to reduce some of the side effects of gastric bypass, such as dumping syndrome. While dumping syndrome is not life-threatening, it can result in cramping, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, lightheadedness, and a rapid heart rate -- all very unpleasant for the patient. These symptoms can result from excess consumption of oily, fatty and sugary foods.

Our Perth bariatric surgeons and dietitians at The Surgeons Collective will guide you through the process both before and after bariatric surgery. By working with a team of skilled professionals and following a careful gastric bypass diet, you can significantly reduce post-operative complications and begin your journey to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

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About the author

Gemma Gilbert | Dietitian

Gemma is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and has been working in clinical dietetics for over 12 years. She has also completed a Diploma of Management.

More information about Emma Gilbert