Σύντομες οδηγίες για τη διατροφή μετά από επεμβάσεις βαριατρικής παχυσαρκίας-το κείμενο έχει συνταχθεί στα αγγλικά και εμφανίζεται στην πρωτότυπη μορφή δημοσίευσης
Why nutrition still matters after bariatric surgery?
Even though your treatment of choice for obesity has been surgery, you still need to consider the importance of nutrition. While the surgery can help you limit the amount you eat you have to be ready to change lifestyle habits that led to weight gain. Preventing weight gain begins with realistic expectations about what bariatric surgery can do and what you have to do for yourself to lose weight and keep it off.
After surgery you need to follow specific nutritional recommendations and exercise regularly. It is also very important to keep follow-up appointments to monitor the effects of surgery. Your bariatric team will give you guidelines to achieve that.
Take a holistic approach to your weight loss plan!
Because your body absorbs fewer nutrients after bariatric surgery, especially malabsorptive procedures you need to keep a close eye on what you eat and make sure that you take all the nutrients that your body needs for good health. Establishing new eating and exercise habits is an essential part of achieving and maintaining a healthier weight.
A weight loss lifestyle includes planning and creating small, high-protein meals, chewing every bite thoroughly, exercising 30 minutes a day, keeping a diet and exercise diary, and more. Your bariatric team will provide nutrition and fitness guidance and help you develop plans that will work best for you.
Which foods should I focus on?
You will need to make sure you are getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while you are losing weight quickly. Protein malnutrition is the most severe complication. Exact amounts of protein intake are calculated individually. A general rule of thumb is to consume at least 60 grams of protein daily during weight loss and for the long-term. Depending on your diet in total, you may need to take additional supplements, such as vitamin B12 or iron, to prevent nutritional deficiencies, especially in malabsorptive procedures.
Can I have a normal diet after surgery?
You will eat only liquid foods for a few days after the surgery. You will continue your diet with puréed food for 3-4 weeks after your surgery. You will slowly add in soft foods, and then regular foods. Your dietitian will advise you with the list of foods to include and avoid in your diet.
Try new foods cautiously to see what you can tolerate. Some foods can cause nausea, pain, vomiting, or may block the opening of your stomach. That’s perfectly normal. When you try new foods, do so carefully. Avoid problem foods for a while before trying them again.
Fluid intake. How much should I drink?
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid a day. Ensure that you drink between meals, not during meals. Do not drink anything 30 minutes before a meal and do not drink during a meal. Wait 30-60 minutes after a meal before drinking anything.
- Remember to avoid alcohol as it does contain a lot of calories and carbonated drinks due to gas content, as well as limiting consumption of fluids that contain sugar.
Calories still count, so limit the consumption of high calorie foods!
- Avoid desserts and other items with sugar listed as one of the first 3 ingredients. These high-calorie foods can sabotage any diet, so no matter which procedure you have, it’s a good idea to avoid them.
- For bypass patients, eating high-sugar, high-fat foods can lead to dumping syndrome, an unpleasant side effect.
Take your time at meal times!
- Eat several small, nutritionally balanced meals each day. After surgery you will eat less food, and you will not be able to eat quickly.
- Eat very small bites (the size of a pencil eraser) and chew thoroughly.
- Listen to your body’s cues that you are full. Eat slowly and without distraction while you get used to having a smaller stomach. This will help you to recognize when you are full so you can stop eating before you feel discomfort.
Do I need to take multivitamins or any other supplements?
- Take the recommended vitamin and mineral supplements. Because gastric bypass is partly a malabsorptive procedure, patients often need to take vitamin and mineral supplements such as calcium, B12 and iron to avoid deficiencies.
- Gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy are restrictive procedures, which means the body can still absorb nutrients from food. Your doctor in collaboration with the dietitian will decide if you need additional vitamin and mineral supplements. Always follow their instructions.
