Your success truly depends on how well you follow weight loss surgery diet recommendations. These guidelines were created to help you limit calories while also providing balanced melas to prevent nutrient and vitamin deficiencies. While it may seem like a hassle at first, it really is important.
General Guidelines for Weight Loss Surgery Diet
As a general rule, you will need to eat small, well balanced portions and keep a daily record of your food intake. This includes your caloric intake as well as protein. You should also eat slowly and be sure to thoroughly chew food to help with digestion.
It’s best to avoid foods and drinks heavy in sugar, rice, bread, raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and tough meats. You may also need to avoid using straws or drinking carbonated beverages since this can introduce air into your stomach and cause discomfort.
Fluids
We recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of fluids a day and while this will be difficult at first, you will gradually be able to meet this target. You should focus on water and low calorie or calorie free fluids to help avoid dehydration.
Protein
Your protein intake is essential to preserving muscle tissue. You should consume a minimum of 65-75 grams of protein a day. Good choices for high protein foods include:
- Eggs
- Meat
- Fish
- Seafood
- Poultry
- Tofu
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Milk products
- Protein shakes
It will be hard to meet this goal in the first few months but keep focusing on high protein foods.
Supplements
Your weight loss surgery diet should include supplements. Since you are limited in what you can eat after bariatric surgery, especially during the healing phase, its important to supplement with vitamins. We typically recommend:
- A multivitamin
- Calcium supplement
- Vitamin D supplement
- Vitamin B12 supplement
- Folic acid & Iron (for women who are still menstruating)
Weight Loss Surgery Diet Help
If you are considering bariatric surgery, its important to understand what the diet will be like after your procedure. Please contact Maryland Bariatrics to learn more.
