Weight-Loss Surgery Diet
Joliet Herald News, 10th March 2010
Weight-loss surgery doesn’t start with the bariatric procedure. It starts long time before that. About two weeks before the operation, the patients have to start a special diet which stimulates weight loss and shrinks the liver. The diet doesn’t contain any carbohydrates, as they make the liver larger when they are being digested.
Only two portions of food are allowed daily. It is not normal food but protein powder shakes. Patients can’t eat fruit or vegetables at this stage. To replace the hydration, they drink more water.
This helps the doctors to perform the surgery.
Two days after the procedure patients drink sugar-free, non-caffeinated liquids and water. Sugar is not allowed as it causes dumping syndrome and caffeine irritates the stomach lining.
The next step is purred-protein food. This period lasts for 10 days. Patients can choose between meat, fish, eggs and cheese. Milk or yogurt is not allowed yet. The consistency of the food has to be similar to baby food.
The same diet has to be followed for the next two months. The only difference is that the food doesn’t need to be pureed any more. In month three patients can add a half cup of fruit. This, along with vitamin supplement, is the main diet until the target weight is achieved. This, depending on the individual, may take from 6 months to two years.
To maintain optimal weight, patients should add small amounts of whole-grain carbohydrates. Only small portions of food can be eaten as operation reduces the size of the stomach to the size of an egg. After the surgery the food bypasses part of the small intestine which makes it difficult to absorb B-12, folate and iron. That is why the supplement of vitamins has to be taken.
Weight-loss surgery is usually a very effective way of weight loss but the post-operative period might be quite difficult. That is why it is highly recommended to join a support group that not only educate but also encourage patients and answer their everyday questions.
