A postoperative diet is an essential part of any bariatric treatment. After bariatric surgery, the size of your stomach gets drastically reduced, and a postoperative diet will help your body get used to its new self. Of course, a postoperative diet is also a big part of your weight loss journey. Compliance to your postoperative diet will help you get on track for your new, healthier, long-term eating habits.
Dr. Liza María Pompa González and the nutrition specialists on her team provide expert guidance and postoperative diet plans at our bariatric center in Tijuana, México, to help patients heal and achieve successful and lasting results after their bariatric surgery. Our postoperative diet plans are designed to fit your own specific needs, based on the specific procedure you have undergone, your medical history and your progress within the treatment.
Postoperative Diet Plans
Our specialists provide thorough nutrition planning for patients as part of our integrative bariatric program. As a patient at LIMARP International Center of Excellence for Obesity, you will receive specific, individualized plans for your pre- and postoperational diets. These plans will vary based on the type of procedure you receive. Our postoperative diet plans schedule a gradual introduction of foods, from liquids to solids, to allow your stomach ample time to heal properly, which reduces your risk of future complications. Allowing your stomach to heal also increases your odds of achieving your weight loss goals and keeping the weight off in the long-term.
Postoperative diet plans are essential for all bariatric surgery patients. Those individuals who undergo malabsorptive procedures must learn to choose foods and supplements that ensure they receive the nutrients they need. With our tailored plans, all patients can discover more options that will benefit their health and unique situation.
Stages of a Postoperative diet
As your stomach heals, you will go through various stages of eating during your postoperative diet:
Liquids
You will only have clear liquids for one to seven days following your bariatric surgery. This includes, of course, water, but also chicken, beef or vegetable broth, popsicles and gelatin. You may only drink two to three ounces of liquid at a time and you must drink them very slowly. When your program allows for it, you may begin drinking non-clear liquids for one week. These include skim milk, unsweetened plant-based milks, soups, sugar-free juices, and decaffeinated coffee or tea.
Pureed Foods
As your body becomes more tolerant, you may start introducing pureed foods. You will eat them exclusively for three to four full weeks. Pureed foods have a consistency similar to baby food. You may also have protein shakes during this time. You should not eat and drink at the same time during this stage because you will not be accustomed to the smaller size of your stomach and will likely be unable to gauge when you are full. Examples of good pureed-consistency foods are scrambled eggs, cooked and smashed vegetables, grounded meat, humus, yogurts and pates.
Soft Foods
After three to four weeks of pureed foods, you may begin to introduce soft foods. You may eat a combination of pureed and soft foods for about two weeks. Soft foods should be cut or shredded into very small pieces and may include foods such as diced fish or chicken or ground meats, canned or soft fruit with no seeds or skin, and cooked vegetables with no skin. Other good options are rice, lentils, tuna and soft cheeses.
Healthy Solid Foods
After about six to eight weeks, you may gradually introduce more solid foods into your diet, but you should continue cutting your food into small, easily digestible bites. You may not tolerate some foods right away, such as spicy or extremely crunchy foods. However, you may be able to incorporate them back into your diet at a later time. It is important to continue eating small meals and to make healthy choices that focus on protein, vegetables, and fruits.
Although you’ll be able to eat many different types of food after your recovery, it is still important to remember that you should still avoid certain foods that can lead you on a wrong track from your weight loss goals and away from healthy eating habits, like high-calorie, high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods, junk foods, sugary drinks and alcohol.
Receive Advanced Care
Proper nutrition after weight loss is essential to the success of your bariatric program. At LIMARP International Center of Excellence for obesity, located in Tijuana, Mexico, our bariatric nutrition specialists are available to guide you every step of the way to ensure your success, including if at any time you find yourself experiencing weight gain. If you are considering bariatric surgery as a weight loss solution, contact us today to schedule your consultation.