Making the decision to have weight loss surgery is a big one, but it is important to realize that you will eventually be in the position of every other person that loses weight. In order to keep it off you have to do all the necessary things, such as; exercising and making healthy food choices. If you look at many of the celebrities that have had weight loss surgery, you will see that many gain weight a few years after having the surgery. I am not saying they are unhealthy, but it is possible to gain weight after weight loss surgery and many people do.

Before having this surgery, you should educate yourself as much as possible on what healthy people do to stay that way. Also, you will need to learn about how the surgery works and what to expect. The gastric bypass diet and eating, in the months following the surgery, will be different than anything you have experienced.

The facility that is going to perform your surgery will offer most of the education that you need and if your insurance company is footing the bill, they will most likely require it. Aftercare is also very important. That is usually offered through your bariatric surgery facility. The internet also has some great forums for both general weight loss and bariatric surgery patients.

This is the time in your life to make you and your health a priority. If you do not put your health first, there may not be any seconds. Obesity has so many medical conditions related to it that can kill you over time and if it doesn’t, it is guaranteed that it will lessen your quality of life.

It is better to lose weight without the use of surgery, but some people are so stuck that they just cannot get started and stick with a program. In this case, it is better to have surgery than to do nothing at all. I see so many people that struggle to walk and they just look like they are living a miserable existence. Now, I don’t know there situation, but the lap band has actually become affordable. It can be done for about the price of a used car.

Another thing that is important when it comes to weight loss is fixing the inside. Many people have things going on in their lives that lead to people to eat for comfort. If this continues, having the surgery may be a waste of money. Look at the events and situations that are current in your life and get help or take the steps to change these scenarios.

Having had weight loss surgery, I am not sure I could have lost the weight without having the surgery. But it is a full time job to keep the weight off and to do the next right thing, because despite having a roux en-y, there really are no foods I cannot eat. That is good and bad. I can eat the things I enjoy, but if I do not follow a plan of moderation, I will gain weight.

A bariatric diet is the diet you will use for the first 60 days following your laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. The diet does not designate between the roux-en-y and the lap band. Although, the consequences for not following this diet are more severe, if you had the roux-en-y. With this type of weight loss surgery you are recovering from a major reconstructive surgery. You will experience pain from the surgery itself and not just the small size of your stomach.

The gastric bypass diet has 4 stages and within 60 days you will be able to eat many of things you ate before. You will just be eating a lot less of it. This time will be challenging for you, but at the same time it will be exciting as you embark on a new chapter of your life.

Step 1: This is all clear liquids and gelatin. You should not have to think about this one too much because it is administered to you while you are still in the hospital.

Step 2: This is the phase that you will be using for the first 2 weeks following the surgery. You are allowed 3 types of food at this stage and they are protein shakes, baby food or strained and puréed foods. The important thing here is to consume 60 grams of protein per day. This can be a challenge, but is doable. You should consume 32 ounces of accepted liquids each day and chewable vitamins are also very important. You should not drink within 30 minutes of eating and that means before or after. You can stay on the step as long as 8 weeks, but you can move on to the next step at 2 weeks.

Step 3: This step can start anytime after 2 weeks. In this step, you will be introducing soft foods back into your diet. I started with cottage cheese and scrambled eggs. Vegetables and meats are going to be the most difficult. All foods should be chewed thoroughly at this stage. Food should be almost liquid when you swallow it. You can never chew it too much.

Step 4: This comes at 8 weeks and you can eat almost anything, but meat should be cut into small pieces and may need to be soften with liquids. Experiment with different foods and take it easy when you are eating a food for the first time.

If you had a roux-en-y, there is a good chance you may always have problems with sugar and some types of fat. You will find out in due time what types of foods your body can and cannot tolerate. Diet is always going to be very important, because the time will come when you will be able to gain weight again. Just because you had gastric bypass surgery does not mean you will not have to make healthy choices. It is essential that you have a good exercise and mental support program to be successful with gastric bypass surgery.

The Step 2 Bariatric Diet is what you will follow for the first two weeks after leaving the hospital. This bariatric diet will help you get used to eating again after surgery.

Your meal will be liquid or pureed and in can include milk, vegetable or fruit juice. Sip your liquid meals very slowly and drink 4-6 ounces over a 20 or 30 minute period.

Drink at least 32 ounces of water or sugar-free beverages every day. Drink only between meals. Do not drink for 15 minutes before meals and wait 30 minutes after eating before you drink.

Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine or carbonation.

Take 2 children’s chewable vitamins daily. This will help to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is best to take this vitamin with a meal, in which you have included some fat.

Eat at least six times each day. You will only be able to eat a few ounces at first. Select one meat or one dairy item at each meal. These meals are high in protein and should be your first priority. It is necessary to help your body heal.

Keep a record of your what you eat for the next 3 days. Have it evaluated by your dietitian to make sure you are getting the proper nutrition.

Avoid restaurants for the first two weeks.

These bariatric diet tips will get you through the first two weeks following your surgery as you embark on your new life.

Tags: gastric bypass diet, diet for gastric bypass, bariatric surgery diet, bariatric diet, gastric bypass eating