Nutrition After Bariatric Surgery: A Guide for Hyderabad Food Lovers
Following bariatric surgery, patients must follow the doctor’s recommended diet plan to ensure a successful and smooth recovery. This diet plan involves different phases in which only liquid foods are given in the initial phases for a while, and other foods will be added slowly to the diet in later phases.
If you are planning to undergo bariatric surgery, you may be wondering what to eat and how to eat in a whole new way. Preparing yourself after bariatric surgery will be exciting but hard, too.
The specific diet you follow both before and after surgery is very important to prevent complications and also plays a key role in maintaining ideal weight in the long run. After a few weeks, your diet plan will completely transform into healthy eating habits to achieve your weight loss goals, and eventually, it will help you maintain a healthy weight for life.
However, it’s important to note that this is just an outline of pre- and post-surgical expectations that will apply to every patient. Your doctor would provide the necessary guidelines by tailoring your diet to your own needs.
Nutrition after bariatric surgery
After bariatric surgery, five nutrition phases are involved in the first six to eight weeks. In every phase, experts suggest a high protein and low fat & sugar diet.
Phase I: Clear Liquids
This phase starts in the hospital after surgery
Phase II: Full Liquids
This phase will last around two weeks and start roughly two days after surgery. You will be able to meet your protein goal by choosing low-fat dairy products. Having low-fat dairy products will help you reach your protein goal.
Phase III: Pureed Foods
This phase will start around two to three weeks following surgery. Foods with a smooth consistency that are mashed and blended are suggested in this phase.
Phase IV: Soft Foods
This phase will start around five weeks after the surgery. Consume foods like ground meats and well-cooked vegetables and fruits that are soft and easy to digest. You may be going to consume non-broken foods for the first time following surgery. Your stomach might take some time to get used to this big change.
Phase V: Regular Foods
About six to eight weeks following surgery, this phase will begin. To determine how well your stomach and body tolerate new foods, you must introduce new foods one by one.
Read: Diet And Lifestyle Changes After Bariatric Surgery
How to adapt to new dietary needs after bariatric surgery while enjoying local cuisine
After bariatric surgery, adjusting to a new diet plan requires a major change in lifestyle. However, you can still enjoy local cuisine if you follow post-surgery dietary recommendations. With the help of the following tips, patients can meet their dietary needs while enjoying local food flavours:
Know more about local ingredients
If you know about the local ingredients that are used to prepare traditional food items, it will help you determine the right food items that match your post-surgery diet.
Speak with restaurant cooks
When you go to any local restaurant, talk to the chef or restaurant staff about your dietary restrictions so that they can modify food items that meet your needs.
Try to consume foods rich in proteins
Foods rich in proteins play a key role after bariatric surgery. Foods like grilled fish, poultry, and tofu are rich in lean proteins, and it is suggested to choose such local dishes.
Focus on whole foods
Local markets always have fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like oats and barley, nuts, beans, fish, and eggs. Whenever possible, incorporate these foods into your diet.
Control the amount of food served
In local cuisines, the calorie contents vary drastically in the dishes they serve. So avoid overeating, request to serve smaller portions, or share with your friends.
Avoid fried and fatty foods
Fried and fatty foods are more difficult to digest after bariatric surgery. So it is recommended to choose grilled, baked, or steamed options.
Stay Hydrated
Drink more water to stay hydrated. Choose local beverages that are free of high calories.
Include Fiber:
Consuming foods rich in fibre helps with smooth digestion. Ask for dishes prepared with vegetables, legumes, or whole grains in local cuisines so that you do not need to break your diet goals.
Pay attention to your body
Observe the hunger and fullness signals from your body. Eat less, eat slowly, enjoy your food, and resist yourself when you feel full.
If you wish to dine out on local cuisines or need to attend an event, be aware of the kind of food available. Consider a variety of food options that match your dietary needs.
It is important for bariatric surgery patients to be in contact with dietitians and nutritionists to develop a personalized dietary plan. Visit the doctor from time to time so that they can monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments to your diet as needed. For more detailed guidelines on post-bariatric surgery diet, contact Dr. Venu Gopal Pareek, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad. Call us at 91-777-77715 to book your appointment slot.
