Gastric bypass – the newest method of losing weight today – is effective but risky. This method is not for everyone, especially not for those who only want to lose a few pounds. There are several considerations that must be discussed with the doctor before undergoing the procedure. It involves surgery which makes the stomach smaller. To make the stomach smaller, a small pouch that can only hold small amounts of food is made and connected to the lower portion of the small intestine. The patient feels full easily and consumes minimal amount of food. As a result, excess weight is lost quickly. But there are also risks involved, and one of them is nutrition insufficiency. Because of smaller food intake, the patient does not meet required levels of nutrients which results in poor health. For this reason, the gastric bypass diet is formulated.
The diet that a person who has recently had gastric bypass surgery will be designed to help them lose weight fast, while still staying safe. Along with the diet, a simple exercise program will pull everything together, teaching the patient to learn to live a healthier life. This will give the patient the tools to create a new attitude about diet, exercise, and their self-image.
Directly after the gastric bypass surgery, a person is not permitted to eat. You may be able to eat certain foods after that, which follows a diet progression. This method can help you minimize stress on the area of surgery, give time for the body to adapt to new eating patterns, as well as speed up the healing process.
These are the common phases in the gastric bypass diet progression:
1. Liquid foods – broth, juice, milk, cooked cereal, and the like to be taken in 1 to 2 days
2. Pureed foods – foods with a consistency of a thick liquid or paste, usually for 3-4 weeks, or as recommended by the dietician
3. Soft foods – finely diced meats, soft, fresh fruit, cooked vegetables, and similar foods for 8 weeks, or as recommended by the dietitian
The speed with which the body adjusts to these new eating patterns determines the rate of progression.
In order for the patient to get the needed nutrients for the body needs, here are some tips:
1. The most important thing in a gastric bypass diet is to eat in small amounts. Eating more may cause pain, nausea or vomiting, so stop eating when you feel full.
2. To avoid dumping syndrome, eat and drink slowly. Also a person must avoid foods high in sugar and fat.
3. Chew your food thoroughly and well. This will prevent blockages in the stomach since the new opening leading to it is smaller than before.
4. Drink liquids between meals. When you take them with the meal, it makes you very full and it can cause dumping syndrome as well. 6-8 cups of liquids are recommended to avoid dehydration.
5. A person has to try new foods one at a time so that your body can adjust to the new food. Foods such as meat, bread, pasta, rice, raw vegetables, milk and carbonated beverages may not be tolerated easily by the body.
6. Take the prescribed vitamins and supplements. A bypassed intestine may not be able to absorb all the nutrients in food necessary for the body to heal completely. Therefore, taking vitamins and supplements will help compensate for the nutrients that your body lacks.
Read About Fast Weight Loss also Read about Food Intolerance and Gastric Bypass Diet
