Gastric bypass is a common surgery for weight loss in which the size of the stomach is reduced1. Surgery can reduce the stomach size from one quart to one ounce2. Due to such a drastic reduction in size, gastric bypass can result in sudden weight loss, as patients often experience loss of appetite.
Dietary management is critical in gastric bypass surgery because not only the reduced size of the stomach, but the opening between stomach and intestine is also reduced up to 75% of the original size. A reduction in the diameter of the opening slows the rate of movement of food from the stomach into the intestine. It is essential to take a closer look at your diet after surgery for a more controlled weight loss and to ensure that nutritional requirements are met.
Purpose of Gastric Bypass Diet
- Allows the stomach to heal properly after surgery
- Trains the stomach to adjust to smaller and more frequent meals that improve the instant digestive process and body’s ability to retain required nutrients.
- Helps control sudden weight loss
- Avoids some possible complications associated with the surgery
The gastric bypass diet is designed to slow weight loss over time. Gastric bypass diets include protein-rich foods and are lower in fats, calories, fiber, and sugars.
It is essential to consider that almost all gastric bypass diets cannot meet the expected daily nutrient requirements for vitamins and minerals. Most physicians recommend:
- A daily multi-vitamin tablet
- Extra iron, calcium, or vitamin B-12 as needed3.
Gastric Bypass Diet
The gastric bypass diet is a stepwise diet plan that begins as a liquid-only diet and is then advanced to soft meals and finally high-protein meals. Gastric bypass diet meals are smaller in portions.
Clear Liquids
After bypass surgery, clear diets are recommended, which consist of transparent beverages. Clear liquid diets last 2-3 days after the surgery and include water, sugar-free juice, diet gelatin, bouillon or clear broth, and flat diet soda like Diet Sprite.
Low-fat, full-liquid diets
When clinically appropriate, a clear liquid diet is then advanced to a low-fat full liquid diet. Patients are normally discharged on this diet from the hospital, and it is continued for up to two weeks. A daily multivitamin is taken along with this diet.
Soft/Puree Diet
The full liquid diet is then advanced to a soft or puree diet. Soft food may include scrambled eggs, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, or blended lean meats like tuna fish, chicken, or pork. Soft food should be pureed and soft.
This diet is typically started around 8 weeks after surgery, and it includes all five groups of food. It is best to include high-protein foods, like lean meats or milk, at every meal. Each meal should consist of small portions.
Specific Diets
Here are some recommendations for dietary guidance. These may be adjusted as necessary under the supervision of your physician.
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It is crucial to prevent dehydration during every stage of the gastric bypass diet by drinking enough fluids.
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In all stages of the gastric bypass diet, the way to eat is just as important as what to eat. Things to remember:
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| Sample Menu | ||
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
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| Morning snack | Afternoon snack | Evening snack |
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| *Consume nonfat milk between meals throughout the day. Drink no more than 2 to 3 ounces at a time, for a daily total of 2 cups. | ||
| This sample diet provides the following: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1,011 | Fat | 37 gm |
| Protein | 71 g | Sodium | 1,065 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 97 g | Potassium | 6 mg |
References:
- Seeras K, Philip K, Baldwin D, Prakash S. Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass. Fischer’s Mastery Surgery, Seventh Ed. 2021;1:1210-1217. doi:10.1016/j.suc.2020.12.013
- Wolfe BM, Kvach E, Eckel RH. Treatment of Obesity: Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery. Circ Res. 2016;118(11):1844. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.307591
- Dagan SS, Goldenshluger A, Globus I, et al. Nutritional Recommendations for Adult Bariatric Surgery Patients: Clinical Practice. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(2):382. doi:10.3945/AN.116.014258
