Considering Bariatric Surgery? The Suggested Diet & Lifestyle Changes Might Surprise You!
For those people who are suffering from life-threatening diabetes and are not able to lose their extra weight, Bariatric surgery could be the best option for them. This surgery not only helps obese people to lose their excess body weight but also reduces their risks of diabetes, heart diseases, strokes, and other complications.
Read on to learn more about Bariatric surgery and the suggested dietary and lifestyle changes to recover from it strongly.
Introduction to Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery is a surgery that is generally performed on the abdomen in order to make weight-loss easier and uncomplicated. There are different types of Bariatric surgeries, including the gastric-bypass surgery in which the surgeon stitches the upper-stomach in order to proscribe the food from reaching the lower abdomen. The upper part of the stomach is called ‘Pouch,’ and it can only hold about 1-ounce food at a time. Once this part of the surgery is complete, the surgeon connects jejunum (a section of the small intestine) to the pouch in order to allow the direct passing of food from the pouch to the small intestine and on-through the digestive tract.
Another type of Bariatric surgery is the lap-band surgery in which the stomach is encircled by a sleeve of plastic and cinched in order to create a small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch. It eventually allows the food to move slowly from the upper to the lower pouch, thereby making the person consume less food. One major benefit of this type of surgery is that the person doesn’t lose nutrition from the food and can shred a significant amount of weight.
Dietary Guidelines After Bariatric Surgery
It is extremely important for an individual to pursue the recommended dietary guidelines, as outlined by the healthcare providers, after undergoing Bariatric surgery. To limit calorie intake and provide balanced and complete nutrition, dietary guidelines can ultimately help in preserving muscle tissue alongside preventing nutrient deficiencies.
Further listed are some of the general dietary guidelines that you must follow after undergoing Bariatric surgery.
General Guidelines:
- Eat nutritious, balanced meals in small portions.
- Follow a low-calorie diet.
- Eat your food slowly and chew small food bites properly.
- Keep a proper record of your daily food portions, calorie-intake, and protein-intake.
- Avoid bread, rice, meats, fresh fruits, and raw vegetables.
- Do not chew ice, use straws, or drink carbonated drinks. It will introduce air into your stomach pouch and cause discomfort.
- Avoid sugar, fruit juices, concentrated sweets, and sugar-containing beverages.
Fluids
- Drink as much water as possible.
- Consume low-calorie or calorie-free fluids between meals in order to avoid dehydration.
- Try to sip one cup of fluid between every small meal.
- It is recommended to drink at least 64 ounces (2 liters) of fluid every day.
- Drinking any type of alcoholic beverage is strictly prohibited.
Supplements
In order to prevent nutrient deficiencies, it is imperative that you intake the recommended dietary supplements on a daily basis. In addition to this, while absorbing pills after the surgery, make sure you crush them or cut every pill into 6 to 8 small pieces to make it easier for them to pass through the new anatomy.
Protein
You must consume more of protein-rich food in order to preserve muscle tissues. You can consume various protein-rich foods such as fish, eggs, tuna, soy milk, meat, poultry, cottage cheese, tofu, yogurt, and other dairy products. Make sure you consume a minimum of 65 to 75 grams of protein every day.
Multivitamins
You can consume high-potency mineral supplements and multivitamins that contain at least 20 mg of iron along with 400 mg of zinc, folic acid, copper, and selenium. You can take a minimum of two multivitamin tablets daily for a minimum of 3 months post your Bariatric surgery.
Suggested Holistic Lifestyle Changes
It is extremely essential for Bariatric surgery patients to commit to significant lifestyle changes in order to lead a healthy, active life. Along with the dietary changes, patients should also switch to a low-impact exercise program after receiving approval from their surgeon.
Regular and moderate exercises can offer numerous benefits like:
- Improved balance, flexibility, and endurance.
- Reduced risk of diseases.
- Enhanced sense of well-being.
Therefore, it is immensely necessary for Bariatric surgery patients to add fitness to their daily routine and follow it consistently in order to reduce their chances of weight gain. So, here are some useful tips to follow in this regard.
- Set your exercise goals.
- Join a gym or workout with your coach or partner.
- Keep your exercise time consistent.
- Join a Bariatric surgery support group.
The Bottom Line
Although Bariatric surgery cannot completely cure obesity and related health risks, it is important that you maintain a healthy diet and follow a proper exercise routine in order to lead an active and healthy life without greater health risks.