| Gastric bypass surgery is among the most popular | | | | Foods high in fiber are also limited in gastric bypass |
| bariatric surgery, with the number of those who are | | | | diet. Fibers could block the stomach, small intestine |
| choosing to undergo the procedure doubling since 2001 | | | | and would require more gastric acid to digest it. A |
| to 2003. The American Society of Bariatric Surgery, | | | | doctor’s approval is needed before ingesting any |
| estimates the number to be 140,000 annually. This | | | | laxative or fiber pills. |
| procedure is primarily done to resolve issues of morbid | | | | This change is not done immediately. There are |
| obesity and the diseases associated with it. | | | | stages in a gastric bypass diet. Clear liquids would be |
| In gastric bypass surgery, a small pouch is created in | | | | the first stage. For the first two days, clear liquids like |
| the stomach. This small pouch is stapled and the | | | | water, sugar-free juice, clear broth and no fizz soda |
| small intestine’s upper portion is also attached to | | | | are consumed in small amounts. Within the first two |
| this small pouch. The middle section of the small | | | | weeks, low-fat, high protein liquids are ingested. It is |
| intestine is attached to the rest of the stomach. Food | | | | important to also take chewable multivitamins during |
| will bypass the rest of the stomach and the rest of the | | | | this stage. |
| small intestine. Te stomach will be in smaller size | | | | Doctors would determine when would be the suitable |
| which would make it full faster. Less calories will be | | | | time for the patient to progress to soft or puree diet. |
| absorbed. | | | | Some would be able to eat after two weeks, while |
| This procedure would require diet change. Since the | | | | others would have to wait longer than that. Some |
| digestive system is altered or shortened, every food | | | | people who are in this stage would sometimes resort |
| intake would be valuable. Some common side | | | | to eating strained baby foods. While others would |
| effects brought by the surgery is nutritional deficiency | | | | prefer eating soft foods like scrambled eggs, low-fat |
| like anemia and osteoporosis. This is why it is | | | | cheese, blenderized lean meats, etc. |
| important for patients to follow a different diet and | | | | Two months after the surgery, the patient could now |
| take mineral and vitamin supplements. | | | | start eating regular diet, starting with high-protein food. |
| The special gastric bypass diet would make sure that | | | | Food consumed should be in small amounts. |
| weight loss will be maintained over time. It would | | | | Remember that the stomach is reduced in size. |
| normally involve high protein food. Foods high in | | | | After the gastric bypass, the stomach could |
| protein would ensure that new tissues are being built | | | | accommodate about an ounce of food. Eventually, it |
| and the wounds are healing properly. Ideal high | | | | could stretch and hold about 4 to 8 ounces or a cup to |
| protein foods will be low in fat like red meat, chicken or | | | | half a cup of food. |
| turkey without skin, fish, eggs and cottage cheese. | | | | One thing that people should be conscious of would be |
| Sugar and fat is among the foods that are avoided. | | | | overeating. Gastric bypass surgery can make the |
| Gastric bypass diet would involve food low in sugar | | | | stomach smaller, however this does not affect the |
| and fat. Sugary foods are high in calories and fat. | | | | overall attitude to eating. People could result to |
| Fat is difficult to digest. Consuming too much sugar | | | | overeating because of genetics or emotions. |
| could also result to the Dumping syndrome that has | | | | Lifestyle change is important. Overeating could cause |
| nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sweating, and diarrhea as | | | | regaining the lost weight, expansion of the pouch, and |
| symptoms. The body could also react the same | | | | in worst cases rupture of the stomach. |
| way to too much fat. Foods with too much fat and | | | | There are many support groups, education, and |
| sugar, anyway, do not have sufficient nutrients that | | | | counselling available to help deal patients with these |
| would be essential to the body. | | | | difficulties. |