Nutrition Therapy
All patients must attend a preoperative nutrition
counseling session with the bariatric clinical
dietitian specialist. This class will educate
the patient about the phases of the post-operative
gastric bypass diet and the vitamin and mineral
supplements required after surgery.
Goals of nutrition therapy for the gastric
bypass patient include:
- Prevention of nutritional deficiencies from
reduced intake and absorption
- Prevention of
or alleviation of discomfort or intolerance
to foods
- Promotion of safe and successful
weight loss
- Instruction on eating and lifestyle
behaviors to achieve and maintain a desirable
body weight
To prepare for surgery patients should begin
the following healthy diet practices:
- Do not skip meals
- Chew food well and eat
slowly
- Taking 20-30 minutes for each meal
- Choose
lower fat foods
- Avoid eating high fat items
such as fast food, chips, nuts, fried food,
and most processed foods
- Eat fruits and vegetables
daily
- Avoid ‘sugary’ calorie-dense
foods (i.e. cakes, candy, cookies, high-calorie
beverages)
- Drink non-calorie or very low
calorie beverages
- Drink eight, 8 oz glasses
of fluid each day
- Begin taking a multivitamin
supplement
- Try to avoid eating and drinking
at the same time. One of the primary post-op
diet principles is to not eat and drink at
the same time.
Weight loss is not achieved by surgery alone.
The surgically created pouch is “only a
tool.” You must develop healthy eating
habits and commit to lifelong behavior changes
in order to achieve lasting successful weight
reduction.
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