Bariatric Nutrition Essentials. Sally Johnston

you follow a fluid and then a pureed food diet.

      Different surgeons may have different guidelines for the diet following surgery as you progress from fluid to pureed food and a soft diet. To assist the healing process after surgery it is important that you follow the advice of your team, not what you have heard from other people or read on the internet.

      Whilst there may be some variations in the diet guidelines following surgery, the principles remain the same and will typically involve four diet stages, which are as follows:

      § Fluid Diet

      § Smooth Pureed Diet

      § Soft Diet, progressing to normal textured food

      This ebook provides all the information you need to recover safely from surgery.

      Fluid Diet

      As described earlier, the stitching and trauma to the stomach during surgery causes some swelling, making your new, small stomach even smaller. You must remain on a fluid diet to allow the stitching to heal and the swelling to subside.

      Immediately after surgery, drink small amounts slowly, such as 2fl oz/50ml per hour. Drinking large amounts may cause pain, discomfort or vomiting. Vomiting should be avoided as it can hinder your healing.

      When the tray of fluid arrives in hospital, do not drink all fluids at once. Sip slowly and spread fluid out over the day. To sip slowly, imagine each drink is a steaming hot cup of tea or coffee. If you tend to drink large amounts quickly or ‘gulp’ your fluids, use a medicine cup and drink from this until you adapt to drinking smaller amounts.

      In hospital you may be required to have clear fluid for the first 24 hours, until you have a special x‐ray to check that the band is in the correct position. You can then progress to a broader range of fluids.

      Just because food is sent to you on your tray in hospital does not mean you should eat it. If porridge, yoghurt or jello/jelly is delivered to you, don’t eat them. Remind hospital staff that you need fluid that is thin enough to pass through a straw.

      Our surgical team recommends you remain on the fluid diet for two weeks. If your support team recommends differently, follow their advice.

       “The benefits and thrills of losing weight far outweigh the small discomforts you can encounter along the way. Realistically, the discomfort of being grossly overweight is far worse!”

       – Robby, banded August 2009 –

      Protein on the Fluid Diet

      Protein is used to build and repair the body and will help the body heal after surgery. Normally when we think of protein foods we think of meat, chicken, fish and eggs. When on a fluid diet you will need different sources of protein. The smoothie and soup recipes provided in this ebook are good sources of protein. Fluids low in protein can be used to keep you hydrated, but should be included between meals.

      

      Good Choices: Fluids high in protein (choose for meals)

      § Smoothie and soup recipes provided in this ebook

      § Low fat or skim milk

      § Low fat soy milk with added calcium

      § Low fat drinking yoghurt

      § Low fat runny custard

      § Meal replacement drinks*

      § Milo® made with low fat milk.

      

      Limit: Fluids low in protein (drink between meals)

      § Tea

      § Coffee

      § Unsweetened fruit juice

      § Vegetable juice

      § Diet cordials

      § Instant soups (from powder)

      § Canned soups.

      * Meal replacement drinks such as Optifast® milkshakes and soups are high in protein, vitamin and minerals. It is useful to include at least one meal replacement product daily on the fluid diet, as suggested in the Fluid Diet Menu.

      Hydration

      It is important to keep hydrated and include plenty of low energy liquids between your ‘fluid meals’. Try to include a total of three to four pints (one and a half to two liters) of fluid, in small, regular amounts, spread throughout the day. All fluids can contribute to this. Drink slowly and stop before you feel any discomfort.

      Avoid lumpy fluids or fizzy drinks. The gas in fizzy drinks may stretch your new, smaller stomach, causing discomfort and belching. Some people experience these symptoms long term, so should avoid fizzy drinks permanently.