Hi and welcome to my latest blog post on my Weight Loss Journey and Gastric Bypass Surgery. I’m writing this in advance and by the time this post is live, I will be in the hospital recovering from my own operation which will have hopefully gone well. Today I wanted to share what it will be like for me after my Gastric Bypass Surgery, what foods I will be able to eat and the recommended time periods.
I’d like to point out that this is a simple guide that I have been given and that every individual is different therefore some of the following foods may or may not work for some patients of bypass surgery. I will be given a detailed personal plan to follow before I leave the hospital by my dietician, but here are the general guidelines which I will need to follow.
Foods After Gastric Bypass Surgery
For the first four weeks I will be able to eat pureed, smooth and lump free foods. It is suggested I eat 5 small meals a day of very small quantities. The size being only 2-4 teaspoons per meal.
Before my operation, I was advised to make up some soups containing either meat, fish, lentils or beans. These need to be blended using ‘extra gravy” to make a smooth ‘yoghurt like’ consistency.
In the early days following the operation, I will be able to eat one or two ice cubes worth of pureed food per meal. John and I went to the supermarket a few weeks a go and bought some ice cube trays as well as some mini size containers so he could help me prepare my first four weeks of food in advance. I know I wont be well and it will take some time to recover.
It was suggested in my notes that I purchase some Weetabix, ReadyBrek, Plain porridge sachets, sugar free yoghurt, sugar free jellies and sugar free cordial.
I will need to eat foods low in fat (less than 3g of fat per 100g product) and low in sugar (less than 5g of sugar per 100g product).
I will also need to drink regular and often. it’s recommended I drink 2 Litres of fluids per day. This can be water, sugar free cordial, milk and Horlicks.
I have been taking supplements for some time due to my ongoing problems with Iron and Vitamin D. After my Gastric Bypass I will need to continue taking Forceval a vitamin and mineral supplement as well as my Calcium and Vitamin D supplements and my Iron tablets. These will have to be taken for the rest of my life.
I hope in the Summer Holidays to go somewhere sunny if I’m well enough and soak up some sunshine to replenish my Vitamin D Levels. If not I’ll try spending more time in the garden in the sunshine.
Although not everyone is able to move on to the next food stage at the exact same time it is recommended I move onto mashed foods from week 4-8 and then to low fat, low sugar solid foods after eight weeks. It may take longer.
I have read and heard that people often have difficulties at the start. I’ve heard of pain and discomfort and the struggles some people have had. This however is often down to people not following the rules. Food needs to be the size of a twenty pence piece and chewed for 20 seconds before swallowing. I have been practising this since the start of the year when I started when Liver Shrinking Diet and it’s not easy but I guess I will just have to try my best.
I think as long as you are strict with yourself and the food plan you’ll be fine. The doctors know what they’re doing 🙂 It sounds like you have great advice to follow x
It sounds simple enough. I think the biggest difference or hardest part will be small sizes and chewing for 20 seconds and putting the knife and fork down between mouthfuls. That will take some getting used to but i can and I will do it and my health and family will be better off for it! 🙂
That sounds like a challenging regimen to follow after the surgery, but I hope all goes well and you recover quickly.
It will be hard but I can do it! 🙂
My friend had this done last year. She is VERY careful about what she eats.
Oh yes. It wont be easy but its a good tool to have to help me change my eating habits for ever.
Good luck with it all. I admire people that take a decision like you have and I know that others will have different views but I believe that sometimes we need a little help.
Thanks Tamason, it’s not an easy thing but should really help me in my weight loss goals.
I will have to pass this to my friend who just had surgery. Thanks for sharing
Oh please do any sharing of this post is much appreciated. Angela
It will be hard at first but you will get the hang of it. I have heard that if you dont eat right you get sick.
Oh yes it will be hard and I will need to follow the rules to avoid sickness and un-pleasent symptoms.
Good luck on your recovery! Everything will go just fine if you follow the rules – it was very imformative, I had no idea what kind of a diet is required after such a surgery.
Thanks. As they say this is just a tool or “help” to support me in my healthy eating and also to cut down how much i need which will be helpful as my silly steroids prevent me losing much even on only 1200 calories a day. it’s frustrating so this option should help!
I hope with te new lifestyle and calory management you will be fine despite the steroids.
I think we can agree that eating our food properly should be an enjoyable experience! Yet many of us eat in a rush and dont take time to enjoy every morsel, chew it thoroughly and taste the different flavours. I think if you look at your food this way, take smaller portions which trust me you will find are more than ample and sallow slowly savoring the experience, You will get over the surgery pretty fast, and maintain as well.
Do get well real soon. sending healing vibes your way.
Thanks. I hope so too. The steroids have bad side effects so the lower i can make the dose the better!
It wounds like you are very prepared for your surgery. I wish you well and hope your recovory time is fast.
I’m prepared but also quite scared..but will do my best!
Good luck on your recovery! Just stick to the plan and everything will go smoothly.
Thanks so much1 🙂
Good to know that everything went well and that you’re doing good! All it takes is some careful meal planning. There’s no doubt that you’re going to do an awesome job!
oH THANKS. So far so good. I’m awaiting my operation as it was postponed… I hope it does all go well. Angela
Great ideas. I will share this to my friend, she really needs it.
Oh thanks. If this can help anyone then I’d be more than happy for them to use it.
Hope your recovery is going well? Take care of yourself now.
Thanks
One step at a time, and you will reach your goals! Everyday is a new chance to feel good about the fact that you deciding to make such a big change. 🙂
Oh yes. step by step and I will get there and I love to share my journey as I go.
Hope you are doing well recovering and that this is a great step in your road to healthier living! I’ve had several friends have the surgery and know it was a huge blessing to many of them.
Thanks. The operation is next week 🙂
My god you poor thing having surgery is difficult enough but you are ill as well! I think you are so brave and I like that you just tell it as it is and don’t feel sorry for yourself! xx
it will be hard but will be so worth it in the end!
i had to be on a similar food restriction following a gum graph. making the pureed food ahead of time makes a world of difference. i wish you a nice recovery
Thanks for the advice! I’ve made enough for a week but think i may need to do some more. Angela
I have had a few friends that have had this type of surgery and it has become rather popular so glad you are educating readers
It’s a great option for those with serious health issues and who need to get to a healthy BMI to prolong life.
My dad had gastric bypass surgery years ago and it was a really huge change for him. There were a lot of things that he had to change about his lifestyle and eating
Oh wow. It is a life changer and you’ll have an idea of how it does affect the body..:) Angela
My aunt was had this 2 years ago and its important to be careful on what she eat.
yes it will be a life changer when it does happen! 🙂
Please take good care of your health. Wish you a quick and healthy recovery.
Thanks. Will do.
Hi there Angela, hope you are doing well now. Be strict on your diet, know what you eat and you will always be good. I know of someone who underwent surgery last two weeks and I believe that this post will be helpful to her. Thanks a lot for the share and keep taking good care of your health and wishing you a quick recovery.
Cindy
Thanks 🙂
I need to send this article to my mother-in-law. She had a Gastric Bypass. Thanks for sharing.
Oh I hope it is useful. Angela x
Hi Angela! Glad everything went well. The things you do right after your surgery can be the difference btw success and failure so often.. glad you are putting this info out there!
I had the gastric sleeve surgery September 9, 2016 and have not had any real problems, but it is important to follow the instructions the doctors give you……and making sure you find a good protein drink that you like is important. I found one called Protein Milkshake Powder that I get on Amazon.com or directly from their website. It is high in protein, low in sugar and taste amazing……because getting in your protein is the hardest thing to do at first and finding something that does not taste like “diet” is so hard…..I have lost 85 pounds and I am reaching a point now where although I can not eat large amounts, I am finding that I can eat almost anything and my weight loss is slowing down…….so follow the directions, stay in close touch with your Nutritionist and others who have been thru the surgery always have great tips……my life has totally changed since the surgery and I am 62 years old with 25 grandchildren and so glad to be back to the Go Granny Go they love…….so enjoy your journey……..life will never be the same.