Bariatric surgery is best described as a tool for weight loss and maintenance. Your health and weight loss are dependent upon your choices. The Bariatric staff is available to guide you and provide you with the information and encouragement to make the best choices for successful weight loss and maintenance following surgery.
EAT THREE MEALS DAILY
• Avoid skipping meals
• It is normal not to feel hungry after a Bariatric procedure
• We prefer no more than 6 hours between meals except at bed time
EAT SLOWLY AND CHEW FOOD WELL
• Take 30 minutes for all meals
• Eat with a baby spoon
• Put eating utensil down between bites
• Set timer
DRINK 64-80 OUNCES OF LOW CALORIES FLUIDS DAILY
Fluid, in particular water, is crucial to one’s health. Dehydration can happen very quickly following surgery, drinking the appropriate amount of fluid for your body will aid the digestive process and weight loss.
• Sip fluids from a sipper cup or sports capped water bottle
• Sip on fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration
• Low calorie fluids to include: water; milk; sugar-free, non-carbonated beverages; decaf tea and decaf coffee
• Avoid drinking from a straw
• No drinking during mealtime
• No drinking 30 minutes after meals
Avoid Caffeinated and Carbonated Beverages
• Stimulates appetite
• Can be irritating to stomach lining
• Acts as a diuretic
• Increased gas
• Pressure against staple line
• May lead to ulcer formation
Avoid Alcohol
• Empty calories
• Irritating to new stomach
• May cause dumping syndrome
Physical Activity
• Walk every 2 hours in the hospital
• Walk 30 minutes daily to promote weight loss
• Schedule exercise beyond your daily activities
YOU MUST BE RELEASED BY YOUR SURGEON TO BEGIN ANY FORMAL EXERCISE PROGRAM
Keep a Daily Food and Activity Journal
• Record type of food, amount of food and time food is eaten
• Record fluid intake
• Record protein intake
• Bring to dietitian visits
Dumping Syndrome
Because a portion of your intestine has been bypassed, Dumping Syndrome may occur.
SYMPTOMS OF DUMPING SYNDROME INCLUDE:
•Weakness
•Sweating
•Rapid Heart Beat
•Decreased Blood Pressure
•Dizziness
•Nausea
•Abdominal Cramping
•Diarrhea
Avoiding foods high in sugar and fat is the key to preventing Dumping Syndrome.
Any food ending in –ose is a form of sugar. The following are key ingredients to look for:
• Sucrose (table sugar)
• Fructose (honey)
• Dextrose
Other ingredients to avoid:
• Corn Syrup
• Corn Solids
• High fructose corn syrup
• Cane juice
• Artificial sweeteners should not cause Dumping Syndrome
• Natural sugar found in fruit and milk should not cause Dumping Syndrome
Reading food labels or determining how foods are prepared is key to avoiding Dumping Syndrome. A quick way to determine if a food may cause Dumping Syndrome is to look for the previously mentioned ingredients in the first five ingredients on the food label. Examples of an appropriate food choice and inappropriate food choice are provided:
