Adjusting to a New Eating Style

After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, you will have to learn a new way of eating and practice choosing the right foods to help avoid discomfort and promote weight loss. Your new stomach will take 6-8 weeks to heal and form complete scar tissue. You will need to stay on a mainly liquid diet for about 3 weeks, before adding soft solids and pureed foods (Stage 3). Seven weeks after your surgery, you will be advanced to Stage 4, which consists of low-fat, low-sugar foods. Your surgeon and dietitian will tell you at your clinic visits when you can advance to the next stage of eating. Do not make this decision on your own.

Nutritional needs - It is important to get adequate protein after surgery to promote wound healing. Remember to keep your food diaries to keep track of your protein and fluid intake. When you advance to Stage 3 you will also need to take two chewable multivitamins with iron tablets every day. Make sure it is sugar-free or low in sugar. (Examples are Flintstones with Iron, Bugs Bunny with Iron, or Pokemon with Iron chewable multivitamins). You will also need to take calcium citrate to maintain your calcium level. (Wait until Stage 4)

It is very important that you do not overeat, especially during the first two months following surgery when the stomach is healing. If you eat more than your stomach can hold, you risk vomiting, which can damage your staple line or stretch the pouch. Remember, your stomach is very delicate. Also, stay away from high-fat and high-sugar foods as well as alcohol to avoid dumping syndrome. Chew all foods carefully. Eat slowly and sip (don’t gulp) liquids.

Your meals should last for approximately 30 minutes to one hour. Liquids should be sipped slowly, between meals only, so you will still have room in your stomach for food.

Be cautious when trying new foods. You may have trouble tolerating a particular food at first. If this happens, try eating the same thing again a few weeks later. You may be surprised to find that some of your food preferences have changed. This is not unusual.

Initially, milk may cause cramps, gas, or diarrhea because of intolerance to lactose, the sugar found in milk. This reaction may be temporary and is not experienced by everyone.

Remember:

• Do not force yourself to finish your food within a specific period of time
• Stop eating as soon as you start to feel full
• If necessary, wait and finish your meal later
• Give yourself some time to learn to recognize these signals. You are becoming familiar with your stomach as a new and different part of your body

There are no substitutions for this diet. You should only be eating those foods listed for your current stage. There may be reasons why certain foods are not allowed. The more compliant you are with these guidelines, the more successful you will be. If you have any questions about a particular food, please check with your dietitian.

Deciding to undergo gastric bypass surgery takes courage, commitment, and permanent lifestyle changes. Your treatment team supports you in your positive decision to take care of yourself and, most importantly, improve your health. Throughout this program, you will encounter new challenges and opportunities as you adjust to a new method of eating and a new way of life. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have during this process.

For more information about Geisinger’s nationally recognized program, please e-mail us today or call 1-800-275-6401 and ask for bariatric surgery.