Now that you’ve undergone bariatric surgery, your surgeon and their medical team will provide you with the proper post-operative care, especially when it comes to healthy eating habits. Healthy post-bariatric diets should emphasize two measures: portion control and the avoidance of problem foods.

The Power of Protein

These diets should contain high levels of protein. For the first 18-24 months after your procedure, you’ll need at least 35-65 grams of daily protein. Your body may burn away valuable muscle as you quickly lose weight; you’ll need to “trick” your body into burning fat. However, your intake will be too small to provide the necessary protein from food alone. You’ll need to supplement your solid food intake with a protein supplement drink or protein-enriched bar.

When it comes to those foods providing the best post-bariatric protein, your options include: soy products, beans, eggs, cheese (and cottage cheese), fish and seafood, and such meats as chicken, turkey, beef, liver, lamb and veal. In addition, a healthy post-bariatric diet should be low in sugar and fat.

Skip the Side Effects

By carefully following these medical guidelines, you’ll be better able to maintain weight loss. And, you’ll be spared such side effects as vomiting and nausea, pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness and fatigue. This will also reduce the risk of “dumping syndrome.” This occurs when undigested food (especially sweets) from the stomach quickly gather in the small intestine’s lower end.

Your surgeon and/or physician may have their own guidelines and rules for healthy eating. But for the most part, the following guidelines have been shown to promote dietary health for post-bariatric surgery patients.

· Look Before You Eat – post-bariatric patients must maintain good nutrition and health. Therefore, you must carefully watch what you’re eating. You’ll find that eating foods that you enjoyed before the procedure may not be well-tolerated afterwards.

· Educate Yourself – you may want to meet with a nutritionist to discuss your diet, both before and after the procedure. This will help you to make educated and healthy dietary choices.

· Chew Carefully – you’ll find that you can’t eat solid foods after surgery, for up to seven weeks. Once you’re able, you’ll need to take small bites and chew your food very slowly. Try to wait 2-3 minutes after swallowing, and before the next bite enters your mouth. Foods that are not ground up and chewed thoroughly – especially steak and other meats – will not be digestible.

· Savor the Flavor – after this procedure, the space in your stomachs shrinks; too much food will make you sick! You’ll need to train yourself to stop eating when you’re full. You’re going to have to learn to savor your meals, rather than rushing.

· Try it Dry – following your procedure, you should avoid drinking fluids while eating, as it may cause vomiting and dumping syndrome. You may also become hungry much quicker after eating. Instead, you’ll want to sip fluids throughout the day, in between meals. You also need to completely avoid high-calorie nutritional supplements and milkshakes.

· Cancel the Carbonation – you’ll need to stop drinking all carbonated drinks (especially carbonated alcoholic drinks, like beer) after surgery.

· Avoiding Alcohol – to ensure your health, refrain from any non-carbonated alcoholic drinks for the first year after undergoing surgery.

· Lack of Snacks – you need to consume healthy, nutritious mini-meals, rather than junk food and snacks. Following surgery, you won’t be consuming as many calories as before. So, you should make sure that what you do consume provides you with nutrients your body requires.

· Take Your Vitamins – you’ll need to take a daily multi-vitamin (if you haven’t been already). This will ensure that you receive the essential nutrients your body needs for general health and well-being.

· Strike Out Sugar – avoid eating desserts and other sugary items if they have more than 3-5 grams per serving size. Eating sweet treats will lead to the onset of dumping syndrome.