You’ve had the gastric bypass surgery, a proactive step toward a better, healthier life. This is a critical stage and you must be thoughtful of the things you do post bariatric surgery. 

There are certain details you will want to attend to that will make your life after your procedure more pleasant. Throughout the healing process there are specific steps you need to take. You will have to attend to your bariatric diet, your level of physical activity and your habits.

Post Bariatric Surgery Eating Checklist 

1. Vegetables: As you have anticipated, the things you eat are going to change. Gone are the days of snacking on high fat, high sugar foods. You will replace these types of foods with healthier alternatives. What does eating post bariatric surgery consist of? You will be bulking up on vegetables, specifically ones of the green leafy varieties.

2. Protein:  You want to make sure that you are also getting good quality protein from a number of sources. Your daily intake for protein should be the lion’s share of your calories, so mixing up the routine will be essential. You can add protein easily by eating lean meats, yogurt, eggs, and soy. Milk and cheese should be avoided due to their excessive mucus-producing effects.

3. Beverages/Drinks:  Beverages should consist of water and herbal teas. You may drink fruit juices if they are naturally sweetened. Soft drinks are now on the unacceptable list and should be avoided completely. Coffee and similar caffeinated beverages should be avoided for the first few months as they inhibit the healing process.

4. Physical activity should become part of your daily routine, though you will want to take it slow for the first several weeks. Walking should be the first exercise you attempt post bariatric surgery. You will want to build up your endurance slowly. The activity will help alleviate stress and promote endorphin production which will aid in your recovery process.

Your other habits must change as well. You can no longer treat your body with disregard. Drugs, alcohol and smoking are out. To maintain your success with post bariatric surgery you must commit to living a new life based on health and fitness. Bariatric vitamins and supplements must be a part of your daily routine. You will be happier, healthier, and thinner than you’ve ever been.

Preparing for your bariatric post op surgery is filled with a variety of emotions.  You have the exciting anticipation of “the new you” and the excitement of your tastier, healthier, bariatric diet.  But there’s also the self-doubt of how painful surgery may be.  Most importantly is the added responsibility of keeping yourself healthy and happy before, during and after the surgery.

Make sure to talk to your doctor about preparation before the surgery.  You may be advised to go on a special diet before surgery as well.  Check with the doctor about all the current medications that you take.  That goes for anything over the counter, too, because certain medications may cause contraindications with your surgery.

Prepare the Grocery List for Post Op Bariatric Surgery 

This part of your journey is both exciting and crucial to the success of your bariatric diet.  You get to plan a whole new lifestyle geared towards a healthier and happier you.  Neglecting the appropriate diet could also add severe limitations to your lifestyle.

First, let’s think of all the healthy things that you are going to put into your body in order to get more nutrition in every bite:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean meat and fish
• Grains
• Tofu 

Start experimenting with these foods and you will find an endless amount of food and recipes to choose from.  Although you may not get on solid food in the first phases of your diet, many of these ingredients also offer nutrition-packed options as blended meals. 

Post-Surgery Protein Shakes

I’ve heard it all from soy-based protein shakes to getting your taste buds prepared for a life of blended meats from a baby food jar.  We found the most success using protein shakes that have a pork base in them!  That may sound a little crazy but they really work!

The body finds it much easier to breakdown the nutrients in this, as opposed to whey or soy.  Plus, there will be much less complication with reactions such as dumping syndrome or lactose intolerance in your new bariatric diet.

Stock Up on Bariatric Vitamins and Supplements

Your digestive system has a harder time benefiting from the nutrients in the food than it used to, so it is now more important than ever to take your vitamins and supplements.

Look for vitamins and supplements designed specifically for the bariatric patient.  Here are some things to stay away from:

• Any vitamin with a filler such as wheat or gluten, and especially lactose and other sweeteners because the body will be more likely to have negative reactions. 
• Stay away from chewables because they are likely to have fillers and refined sugars in them. 
• Make sure your vitamin is in powder form (enclosed in a capsule), so that it will quickly dissolve.  This also gives you the option to pull apart the capsule and add your vitamins to your blended drinks or shakes. 

After your surgery, it is imperative that you get an additional source of vitamins and nutrients in your diet since your body will no longer process food through your digestive tract as it used to before your surgery.  As the adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”