Top 12 Foods, Supplements and Vitamins for Bariatric Surgery

Top 12 Foods, Supplements and Vitamins for Bariatric Surgery

Krista Bugden |Jul 21, 2022

Diet for Bariatric Surgery

If you have tried everything within your power to lose weight or you have a health condition that prevents you from losing weight, your doctor may suggest bariatric surgery. Frequently called gastric bypass, this type of procedure often involves sealing off the top of the stomach, which decreases the amount of food you can consume and reduces nutrient absorption. As a result, it’s much easier to lose any excess weight. But what should a diet for bariatric surgery include and what can help you recover? In this article, we are going to explore all the foods, supplements and vitamins you might want to consider after your bariatric surgery. Let’s dive in!

Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet Tips

After bariatric surgery, you need to be cautious about what you consume. It’s recommended to:

  • Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.
  • Delay drinking anything after a meal for 30 minutes.
  • Eat slowly.
  • Consume protein-rich foods.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Limit caffeine.
  • Thoroughly chew each and every bite.

Phase 1

Initially, you will be only allowed to consume liquids. This gives your stomach (and body) time to heal and recover. Some of these liquids may include:

1. Broth

Broth is gentle and soothing on the digestive tract. In fact, it is frequently recommended for those with digestive issues due to its healing capabilities. Bone broth, in particular, contains protein and various minerals that help with your gut lining, ensuring you obtain adequate nutrition.

2. Unsweetened Juice

Added sugars may irritate your stomach and digestive tract. Thus, choose unsweetened juices that naturally contain plenty of vitamins and minerals that can accelerate the healing and recovery process. You can also slowly suck on a popsicle or gelatin that is sugar-free.

3. Decaffeinated Tea or Coffee

Caffeine should be avoided due to its stimulatory effects on the digestive system (which can mean you end up absorbing next to no nutrients from your food post-surgery). However, you can try decaffeinated varieties, receiving plenty of antioxidants and other nutrients.

4. Milk

Milk can help you obtain adequate calcium and protein. Go for skim or 1% to avoid overloading your digestive system with too much fat.

Phase 2

After a week of good tolerability of liquids, you will move on to pureed foods, making your diet a little more interesting! Typically, this means eating about three to six snacks or meals each day, with each meal taking about 30 minutes to consume. Here’s what this stage of the bariatric diet will include:

5. Pureed Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables boost tons of nutrients that your body needs on a regular basis. They also come jam-packed with antioxidant and gut-friendly compounds, helping your digestive tract heal and get back on track post-surgery.

6. Pureed Lean Ground Meat

While this might not sound ultra-appetizing, your body needs protein to heal and repair. Protein is the building block of the body, which means it is essential for improving your digestion as you recover.

7. Soft Scrambled Eggs

Pureed foods further include soft scrambled eggs! Make sure not to overcook them, as this may make them tricky to eat.

8. Soups

You can also enjoy various soups during this second week, allowing you to add variety to your daily diet.

Phase 3 and 4

From here, you can begin introducing soft foods, such as:

  • Ground meat.
  • Flaky fish.
  • Cottage cheese.
  • Rice.
  • Cooked veggies.

The following week, if all goes well, you can then introduce solid foods a little bit at a time.

Supplements, Vitamins and Minerals

Your doctor may further recommend certain supplements to guide your recovery and replace any foods you are unable to eat for the first few weeks. This is essential to prevent nutrient deficiencies and adverse health effects. Some supplements that you may be recommended include:

9. Calcium

The intake of 1,200 milligrams to 2,000 milligrams of calcium can help prevent bone loss. This is especially important if you aren’t drinking milk (such as those that don’t tolerate lactose very well).

10. Vitamin D

Vitamin D can be taken alongside calcium. It’s recommended to take 800 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D. Alternatively, you can also obtain vitamin D via the sun, which may mean your doctor can recommend sitting outside in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes each day.

11. Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential bariatric vitamin for energy production and is necessary for healing! It also may be hard to obtain initially when consuming only liquids since it is often found in meat and animal products. Aim for 500 micrograms daily.

12. Folic Acid and Iron

Your doctor may further recommend folic acid or iron, especially if you are a woman who is currently menstruating. These are commonly lost via your monthly bleed. Yet, with restrictions around what you can eat, they may be hard to replenish, so supplementation may be best.

Post-Bariatric Surgery Medications

Post-bariatric surgery medications may include:

  • Omeprazole. This prevents ulcers from developing. It is usually recommended to take within the first six months post-surgery.
  • Ursodiol. This helps stop the production of gallstones, which commonly occur after this type of surgery. This medication is also typically taken for at least six months after bariatric surgery.
  • Multivitamins. While technically not a medication, almost every person post-bariatric surgery will be recommended a multivitamin to take in order to prevent nutrient deficiencies, as the initial bariatric diet is quite restrictive.

At the end of the day, it is important to follow your doctor’s orders and advice since they know you and your situation best.

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