By Kejal Shah, NUTRIVITY
After bariatric surgery, it is crucial to follow specific dietary guidelines to promote healing, support weight loss, and prevent complications.
Here is a detailed overview of dietary guidelines post-bariatric surgery:
The nutrition plan for the immediate phases following endoscopic bariatric therapies involves a gradual progression through four stages.
- Stage 1 (1st week): Liquid diet – 400 calories/day
Includes: sugar-free strained juices, strained vegetable soup, isotonic drinks
- Stage 2 (2nd week): Pureed diet – 600 calories/day
Includes: vegetable purees (potato, carrots), yogurt, cooked egg whites
- Stage 3 (3rd week): Soft diet – 600-800 calories/day
Includes: fruit compote, cooked egg whites with olive oil
- Stages 4 (4-5th week): Regular texture diet – 600-800 calories/day
Includes: vegetable puree with chicken/meat/fish, cooked egg white/omelet, fresh cheese
Each stage offers specific food options to follow the calorie range recommended.
- Proteins:
Protein intake is crucial to prevent deficiencies; diet guidelines recommend a minimal target for protein intake of 60 g/day and up to 1.5 g/kg ideal body weight per day, but higher amounts may be required in individual cases. Post-surgery, focus on high-protein foods like eggs, fish, poultry, and dairy products.
- Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrate intake should be restricted to 130 g/day to provide sufficient glucose for the central nervous system, with a focus on complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Avoid simple sugars and choose foods with a low glycemic load, as high glycemic load meals can lead to increased energy intake and less weight loss.
- Fat:
Fat intake should be 28% or less. It is recommended to consume a balanced intake of nutrients and avoid excessive fat intake to maintain a healthy weight and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
General Dietary Tips:
– Focus on protein-rich foods to support muscle retention and promote satiety.
– Limit high-sugar, high-fat, and processed foods to enhance weight loss.
– Stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day and avoiding sugary beverages.
– Avoid carbonated drinks, and large meals to prevent discomfort and gas.
Pros and Cons Post Bariatric Surgery
Pros of bariatric surgery include initial and sustained weight loss, resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, improved mortality, improved quality of life, and psychosocial benefits.
Cons include potential complications such as perioperative, surgical, gastrointestinal, nutritional, and psychological issues, initial costs, and the weight potential regain.
Post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia, also known as late dumping syndrome or reactive hypoglycemia, is a complication associated with bariatric surgery. It is characterized by symptoms of hypoglycemia occurring after a meal in individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery.
Nutritional management includes addressing micronutrient deficiencies, adapting eating habits, and managing specific nutritional issues like dumping syndrome.
Post-surgery diet guidelines involve limiting meal portions, focusing on protein-rich and high-fiber foods, and progressing through diet stages gradually. Long-term follow-up with a multidisciplinary team is essential for monitoring weight maintenance and addressing weight regain through lifestyle modifications, dietary counseling, and potential pharmacotherapy or surgical revisions.
References:
- Dietary Guidelines after Bariatric Surgery | UCSF Health https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary-guidelines-after-bariatric-surgery
- Nutritional Recommendations for Adult Bariatric Surgery Patients https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347111/
- Nutrition Guidelines for Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass https://www.brighamandwomens.org/assets/bwh/surgery/center-for-metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery/pdfs/nutrition-guidelines-sleeve-gastrectomy-and-gastric-bypass.pdf
- Calorie and Macronutrient Breakdown After Bariatric Surgery https://samabariatrics.com/calorie-and-macronutrient-breakdown-after-bariatric-surgery/
- Dietary guidelines post bariatric surgery https://uihc.org/educational-resources/dietary-guidelines-post-bariatric-surgery
- Establishment of Adequate Nutrient Intake Criteria to Achieve Target … https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353322/
- Changes in Fat Intake, Body Fat Composition, and Intra-Abdominal Fat after Bariatric Surgery – PMC – NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4135244/
- Gastric bypass reduces fat intake and preference – PMC – NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3197335/