After weight loss surgery, your diet will drastically change. It might just seem like there is nothing that is suitable for you. Most people around you will only target limitations as opposed to all the facilities and the nutrients you can and should look forward to. To help you through such a confusing time of weight loss in Long Island, we have created a series of weekly guidelines for you to follow right after surgery. These directions will guide you towards a healthy and stable recovery.
Let’s begin!
Weekly Weight Loss in Long Island
During the First Week Post-Op
Right after your surgery, you will feel discomfort when eating mainly because your stomach will be adjusting to new capacities. In this initial stage, your diet will mainly consist of proportioned liquids. Clear liquids include broth, water, dissolved multivitamins, and nutrients. Jell-O and fruit juices will be your only meal during the first week of recovery. It is later followed by thicker liquids such as baby food and pureed food. You can gradually opt for smoothies of your choice without processed sugar. As a replacement for sugar, you can use protein isolate. Smoothies can be made from tropical fruit such as peaches and apples which are abundant in Long Island for weight loss. Your body will require more than 20 grams of protein and less than 200 calories every day. To meet your protein requirements, liquid supplement drinks will be introduced into your diet. Liquids to look forward to are:
- Soy-based drinks (Lactose-free/ low-calorie)
- Pudding or custard (Sugar-free)
- Yogurt (Nonfat, sugar free)
- Low-fat cheese
- Low-fat soups and broth
Since your stomach will be the size of an egg, you need to be extra careful with the amount of food you take in at a time. A meal can be divided into segments of bites with significant intervals to reduce any stress on your recently operated stomach. This way, you will be able to know more about your portion size and your tolerance towards different foods.
Pureed Food after Obesity Surgery
Soft diet helps to create a state of transition between liquid foods and solid meals. Your stomach will be able to take on the load without much worry later on because baby food is semi-solid and easily digestible. After surgery, your meals will progress from broth to:
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- puréed vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Scrambled egg whites
- Canned fruits
- Tofu
- Lean ground meats or poultry
You should avoid any solid food which is difficult to chew because it is very likely to also be very difficult for your stomach to break down.
Two to Eight Week Meal Guidelines
Your calorie intake should increase to 500 calories a day after obesity surgery. After losing many during the first few weeks of recovery, you need to catch up on essential nutrients to maintain a balanced diet and weight. The portion size for your meals will be around ¼ cups of solid food and half a cup of liquid foods. Such rationing will increase your tolerance towards other foods. Similarly, your meal sizes will be divided into categories of 6 to 8 meals.
As time progresses forward, you will be able to eat as you like without much worry. However, your portion sizes will be small.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What medical conditions qualify for weight loss surgery?
To be eligible for weight loss surgery, you need to be obese. In other words, your body mass index has to be over 40. Your case will also be considered based on the complications caused by the associated obesity health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even severe sleep apnea.
- Is weight loss surgery bad?
Weight loss surgery isn’t bad. Common misconception and social stigma drives this notion when in reality, weight loss surgery is a remedy for obesity. Obesity is a disease which requires surgery and care. So, weight loss surgery itself isn’t bad but rather a cure.
- What is the best diet after weight loss surgery?
The best diet after weight loss surgery is a well-balanced diet. It should have lean proteins, fibers, fruits, and low-fat milk. For each week after surgery, your method of intake for each of these nutrients will change from clear liquids to pureed fruits to finally solid food intake.
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