Sugary foods include candy, cookies, ice cream, milkshakes or slushes, soda pop, isweetened juices or gelatin, and most desserts. The gastric bypass diet is low in sweet and sugary foods for three reasons. First, these foods are high in calories and fat. Even
in small amounts, they could make weight loss difficult. Second, eating sweet or sugary foods promotes "dumping," a reaction which can occur after the gastric bypass operation. Experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of dumping syndrome may limit the desire to eat sweet foods. Finally, most sweet and sugary foods don't provide many vitamins or minerals for the calories they take up and since calories are so limited on
the gastric bypass diet, it is important that every food contribute its fair share of nutrients.
iFat may be difficult to digest after gastric bypass surgery. Too much fat delays emptying of the stomach and may cause reflux, a back-up of stomach acid and food
into the esophagus that causes heartburn. Fat may also cause diarrhea, nausea, or stomach discomfort. High-fat, fried foods and fatty meats are common offenders.
iFiber, found in foods like bran, popcorn, raw vegetables, and dried beans, is also limited on the gastric bypass diet. There is less space in the stomach to hold these
bulkyifoods, and less gastric acid available to digest them. Some kinds of fiber could
get stuck in the pouch itself, or block the narrow opening into the small intestine. Do
not take any fiber pills or laxatives without the advice of a physician.
iiiiiVitamins & Minerals are an important part of the gastric bypass diet. Since the diet allows only small amounts of a limited variety of foods, it may be difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals from food alone. Deficiencies can develop in a matter of months. Iron, folate, vitamin B-12, and calcium are the nutrients most affected. Most physicians require their gastric bypass patients to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
| Special Considerations |
i Gastric bypass surgery creates dramatic changes in the size and shape of the stomach. It may take awhile to get used to these changes. Patients report a wide variety of complications after surgery. Some of these will go away with time, while others can be lessened with adjustment of the diet.
Nausea and vomiting are the most common complications occurring in the first fewimonths after gastric bypass surgery. They may occur after eating too fast,
drinking liquids while eating, not chewing enough, or eating more than the pouch can comfortably hold. It is necessary to learn to eat very slowly and chew foods thoroughly. Nausea and vomiting can also be triggered after trying new foods. If this happens, allow a few days to pass before trying a new food again. Notify a physician if frequent vomiting becomes a problem.
Dehydration (loss of body fluids) is also an important concern, especially if vomiting or diarrhea is frequent. Prevent dehydration by drinking water or
low-calorie beverages between meals (when there is no food in the stomach), but remember that the stomach can only hold 3-4 ounces at a time.
Dumping Syndrome occurs when food passes too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. Symptoms may include a combination of nausea, uncomfortable ifullness, cramping, and diarrhea, or weakness, sweating, and fast heart rate. Dumping can be provoked by eating very sweet or sugary foods. Reduce intake of sweets and notify a physician if these symptoms occur.
i Food Intolerances, especially to red meat, milk, and high-fiber foods, are experienced by many patients. Since food intolerances vary with the individual, a dietitian can help with sorting out food choices to minimize symptoms such as stomach discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea.
Overeating -- Almost all people who require gastric bypass surgery have had problems with overeating. The causes for this are complex, involving genetics, emotions, upbringing, and even the functions of the brain. None of this changes after bypass surgery, except that the stomach is now much smaller. Eating more than the newistomach can hold may cause vomiting, expansion of the pouch, weight gain, or even rupture of the stomach. Education, counseling, group support, and certain medications can help to prevent overeating and are just as important as diet to the success of theioperation.
i Others: Stomach pain, ulcers, and gastritis (an inflammation of the stomach lining) areicomplications which may require medical attention. Notify a physician if frequent stomach pain becomes a problem. |
| Fluids |
At every stage of the gastric bypass diet, it is important to prevent dehydration by drinking enough fluids. Tips for doing it right:
- Drink 1 cup of water or low-calorie beverage between each meal
- Fluids should add up to at least 6 cups (48 ounces) each day
- Sip slowly&emdash;make beverages last 30 minutes or more
- Finish drinking 45-60 minutes before meals
|
The Gastric Bypass Diet
The gastric bypass diet unfolds in several stages, from "liquids only" to small meals of soft, high-protein foods. Meals on the new menu will be much smaller than normal, and the foods eaten must be very smooth in texture. On all stages of the diet, it is especially important to drink enough water, and to take vitamin and mineral supplements as prescribed.
• Clear Liquids -- The first stage of the gastric bypass diet, clear liquids (meaning beverages that you can almost see through), usually lasts for a day or two after the ioperation. The clear liquid diet starts with sips of water, and then allows foods like
sugar-free juice, diet gelatin, boullion or clear broth, and flat (no fizz) diet soda in small amounts, usually 2-3 ounces at a time.
• Low-Fat Full Liquids -- If no problems are experienced with clear liquids, the gastric bypass diet advances to high-protein liquids like diet Carnation Instant Breakfast™, Ensure™, or Sustacal™. This stage of the diet is started before discharge from the hospital and lasts for 1 to 2 weeks. Most patients also begin taking a chewable multivitamin/ mineral supplement at this stage.
i• Soft/Purée Diet -- The physician will indicate when it is time to advance to the soft or purée diet. Some patients are able to start this diet after they have been out of the hospital for about two weeks. Others may need to wait longer. The purée diet includes very soft, high-protein foods like scrambled egg, low-fat cheese or cottage cheese, or blenderized lean meats like tuna fish, chicken, or pork. Some patients find it more convenient to use strained baby foods. It is important to make sure that all foods are puréed or extremely soft and smooth in texture.
• Regular Diet -- The regular diet starts about 8 weeks. While or later after gastric bypass surgery. This diet includes all 5 food groups, it is important to start with high-protein foods, like lean meats or milk, at every meal. Each meal or snack should be
small, with liquids consumed in between meals. Ask a dietitian for advice on planning
an individualized regular diet pattern.
| The ABC's of Eating Right |
In all stages of the gastric bypass diet, the way to eat is just as important as what to eat. Things to remember:
- The new stomach can only hold 1/2 cup at a time
- Eat 3 to 6 small meals a day
- Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly
- Avoid chewing gum; it could block the stomach outlet if swallowed
- Do not overeat
- Relax and enjoy your new life
|
| Sample Menu |
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
- banana - 1/4 med
- Scrambled egg - 1
- toast, white - 1/2 slice
- margarine - 1 tsp
|
- broiled chicken breast- 2 oz
- carrots, boiled - 1/4 cup
- margarine - 1 tsp
- pasta salad - 1/4 cup
|
- haddock, baked or broiled - 2 oz
- green beans - 1/4 cup
- dinner roll - 1/2
|
| Morning snack |
Afternoon Snack |
Evening snack |
- graham crackers - 2
- pudding, sugar-free, made with 2% fat milk - 1/2 cup
|
- fruit cocktail, waterpacked - 1./2 cup
|
- cheese, American - 1 oz
- saltine crackers - 2
- mustard - 1 tsp
|
*Consume nonfat milk between meals, throughout the day. Drink no more than
2 to 3 ounces at a time, for a daily total of 2 cups. |
This Sample Diet Provides the Following |
Calories |
1011 |
Fat |
37 gm |
Protein |
71 gm |
Calcium |
1065 mg |
Carbohydrates |
97 gm |
Iron |
6 mg |
|
BMI CALC
