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The post-op diet is a crucial part of your healing process. It is important to strictly follow these diets to ensure success following your surgery but also to maintain good nourishment. There are several phases involved that will take you from day one to the end with 3 to 5 solid meals per day. Exercise and lab work are equally important and should be taken seriously.

Diet & Nutrition

PHASES 1 & 2: A clear liquid meal program is usually initiated within 24 hours after any of the bariatric procedures. This should be continued for 21 straight days. Clear liquids include fruit juices, broth, Gatorade, popsicles, and tea. Full liquids include drinkable yogurts, meal replacements, and soups.

PHASE 3: In the next phase you move to soft food, as tolerated, at about 60g of protein per day. Soft foods include eggs, ground meats, poultry, soft moist fish, cooked beans, low-fat cottage cheese, well-cooked vegetables and soft or peeled  fruit. Always eat protein first and avoid rice, bread and pasta .

PHASE 4: The final phase involves following a healthy, balanced diet consisting of adequate protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Eat from small plates and use small utensils to help control portions. Calorie counts need to be based on height, weight, and age. Chew thoroughly and do not eat and drink at the same time (more than 30 minutes apart). Adhere to a balanced meal plan that consists of more than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily for optimal fiber consumption, colonic function, and phytochemical consumption. Protein intake should average 60-120g daily. Avoid liquid calories.

Supplements

Because a gastric bypass is a restrictive and mal-absorption procedure you will require daily supplements. These include complete chewable or liquid multivitamins with iron twice a day, chewable calcium citrate (2000 mg) with vitamin (take separately from MVI with iron), and vitamin B12 (300 mcg sublingual) daily.

Post-Procedure Exercise

Exercise may be the most important factor that can help a patient experience long-standing and successful weight loss.

Regimen: Start walking from Day 1.  Increase your walking each day. Add other aerobic exercises like swimming and bicycle riding as your surgeon permits and as you feel so inclined. Start light weight training and sit-ups as your surgeon allows. Increase weights and number of reps gradually. This type of exercise will increase muscles mass which improves strength, increases bone density, and increases metabolism. Consider using a personal trainer for education about exercise, motivation, and proper routines. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise.

Post-Procedure Tracking

As part of your follow up, biochemical measures are important to ensure the wellness of your health. In the first year, post-surgery, you should have lab work done in the following areas every 3-6  months and annually after that.

• CBC, platelets
• Electrolytes
• Glucose
• Iron studies/Ferritin
• Vitamin B12
• Liver Function
• Lipid Profile
• 25-Hydroxy vitamin D

Possible Complications

Surgical complications after gastric bypass surgery, though they are rare, can be divided in to: intra-operative, post-operative and late complications. The former generally is of particular concern for most patients because they can affect the patients overall quality of life. Here is a quick overview of possible complications. Learn More »