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Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wardrobe Basics During and After Weight Loss
Looking Good!
Wardrobe Basics During and After Weight Loss
Physical changes after weight loss surgery are inevitable. We look forward to the day when we can slide into our clothing easily and enjoy making purchases from “regular” clothing stores. However, dropping sizes has its challenges too! Rarely, if ever, is a person in the position of replacing virtually every item of clothing over a period of 12 - 24 months. Think about it: it is entirely possible that the only items that will fit both “before” and “after” weight loss will be your socks. (Honestly? Some of your socks may even be too big!)
On top of it all, after years of being morbidly obese, many of us discover that we have little sense of what styles of clothing we really enjoy wearing, or what items are truly flattering. For years, our choices have been guided by the limited selections in plus-size departments and simply by “whatever fits” when we are forced to shop for clothing. As the world of fashion opens up, it becomes daunting to navigate our local mall as we search out items for an updated wardrobe. We have no idea what it feels like to have so many choices. We haven’t worn a skirt in years, or had a blouse that buttoned all the way to the bottom. Obesity denied us the chance to wear cute fitted sweaters or to select a special occasion dress.
As you evaluate your clothing needs post weight loss surgery, you will want to consider the following factors:
Start from the skin out
Well-fitting undergarments make a huge difference in the way that everything else looks. Regardless of weight, many women wear poorly fitted bras that do not offer adequate support. For those of us who have lost a significant amount of weight, the issue is compounded many times over. Keep your eyes open for a bra fitting clinic at a local department store, or venture into the lingerie department and ask for a fitting. There is no obligation to make a purchase, but knowing your size and how a well-fit bra looks and feels can provide essential guidance as you make future selections.
And it’s not just bras! Panties need to fit snugly but not too tight and give a flattering silhouette without wrinkles and bunching under your clothes. You should be able to walk with a confident stride without any worry that panties are slipping or sliding out of place or - worst of all - dropping.
You may want to explore the world of shape wear to smooth things out and hold in bumps from excess skin. When shopping for shape wear, a good sales consultant can be a godsend. Every brand and style fits differently. Asking for help can mean the difference between a purchase you will love using every day verses spending money on something that makes you feel like your body is wrapped tightly in an oversized rubber band.
Color
Do I need to say it? The standard color in the wardrobe of most morbidly obese women is....black, Accented with more black. We fear that colors or patterns make us “look big.” We may be used to a touch of color as an accent, but dare not risk too much. We rationalize that black is slimming, when in fact we know that it makes us less noticeable in a crowd.
As we lose weight, it may be our choice to keep a few basic black items in the closet. After all, we can finally select one of those “little black dresses” that everyone talks about. We can also venture out to mix in other neutrals and add splashes of color freely. Go ahead! Try on a few tops or dresses in bold colors or pastels, and add a few bright prints to your wardrobe. Explore the color palette that flatters your natural coloring and features, and capitalize on those that look best. While you are still losing, you may wish to limit the number of items you purchase in any one size for economy’s sake, but it costs nothing to try things on and get a sense for the colors you really like.
Your weight loss opens up a literal rainbow of choices!
Fit
Admit it. Many of us have several sizes of clothing in our closets, hoping that those items will fit “someday.” As our weight loss begins, that “someday” lies just around the corner. Pullout those stored items and incorporate them into your wardrobe as they begin to fit your emerging body shape. Doing so keeps your wardrobe fresh and allows you to get maximum use out of clothing you already own. However, if those older clothes include notably outdated styles, it may be time to donate a few things to your favorite charity.
If you are tempted to keep wearing your larger size clothing as the pounds drop, please reconsider. Baggy clothing is not flattering or “slimming,” despite what we may have been led to believe at our highest weight. Baggy clothing looks frumpy and poorly kept. Baggy clothing deprives us of compliments that we deserve as our weight loss progresses. You will feel better and see your own progress by having at least a few items that fit well throughout the stages of your weight loss journey. One RNY patient maintained her wardrobe by keeping up with size changes in reasonably priced jeans and basic black slacks, along with a couple of easy fitting t shirts or sweaters as the season dictated. Those few items, mixed with her existing wardrobe and a few thrift store finds, allowed her to recognize her progress and look stylish even as her sizes changed with every season.
On the flip side, the reverse is also true: clothing that is too tight is not flattering either. Formerly obese women may be used to forcing themselves into clothes to the point of discomfort. They are painfully accustomed to clothing that feels snug or binding. However, as you move into smaller sizes, you will be more comfortable, confident, and attractive if you stick with a size and fit that give you room to move and breathe comfortably.
If you have a few high quality or favorite items that you simply cannot part with, consider having some alterations done. Many dry cleaners offer alterations services, or you may discover a local tailoring business in your community. A well placed nip or tuck can give you added mileage from a favorite skirt, jacket, or pair of slacks. But beware the temptation to take those slacks In yourself using safety pins, duct tape, or a hot glue gun! The objective is to look your best as you lose those excess pounds and to accent your figure with well-fitting clothes.
Choose versatile pieces
As your size changes quickly, your wardrobe will benefit from choosing a few versatile pieces of clothing that can be worn in different ways. A high quality t-shirt can be paired with jeans, go under a blazer, or become staple on a cruise or resort vacation. As that same t-shirt becomes a little loose, add a belt to accentuate your emerging waistline and keep it as an active part of your wardrobe for a while longer. If you live in a cooler climate, you may want to invest in a light to medium weight crew or v neck sweater that can function in the same ways.
Other particularly versatile pieces to form the foundation of your weight loss wardrobe might include khaki pants, a pair of dress slacks, a basic skirt, and a blazer or unstructured jacket in coordinating colors. The combination of these basic wardrobe elements with a few varied tops or sweaters goes a long way in creating your new wardrobe.
Accessorize
When you reach a certain point in your weight loss, you may choose to work with a very limited wardrobe for a while. When sizes change quickly, you may find that you skip some sizes entirely - and why invest in clothing that may only fit for only a few weeks?
Consider investing in a few good quality accessories to add variety to those “basics” in your closet. Scarves, artsy earrings, and bold necklaces may fit your style and lend interest and variety to an otherwise limited wardrobe. For those who need to dress for the work environment every day, accessories can be a true lifesaver in helping pull together varied looks for the office.
As you explore your options in accessories, it is a great time to experiment with less expensive pieces that may help to define your sense of personal style. Try that chunky bracelet or stackable rings on for size.
And finally, don’t overlook the potential of wearing a belt. One support group participant invested in a high quality leather belt to celebrate her one- year surgiversary. Another picked up a great deal at a local Marshall’s store to celebrate a “non-scale victory.” The satisfaction - and style - of a nicely placed belt is one of those priceless benefits of losing weight. A belt can provide a tangible assessment of our progress, as well as a cautionary flag if our weight begins to creep upward.
Consider Quality
When building a new wardrobe from the ground up, remember the old adage, “less is more.” Make clothing selections carefully once you reach your goal weight and avoid the purchase of poorly made, low quality items. Identify a few brands of clothing that give good quality and a flattering fit, and build from there.
Watching for seasonal clearances and markdowns on quality name brand clothing allows you to make some “investment purchases” without breaking the bank. Become well acquainted with your local T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s, or other off-price chain. Check out the outlet malls and consignment shops, and even thrift stores for name brand merchandise. But don’t overlook the anchor stores in your local mall either. Browsing through Macy’s or Nordstrom can familiarize you with the look and feel of higher quality clothing, as well as with price points that can help you recognize the truly good buys when you see them elsewhere.
Avoid clothing that looks and feels like the fabric will not hold up well to washing, or colors that have the potential to fade quickly. Check for neatly finished hems and seams, and a few extra buttons just in case.
Finally, let’s just say it. Underneath our clothes, most of us still have a few places that jiggle, or some loose skin to deal with. We need to be sure that we select clothing in high quality fabrics to cover those trouble spots effectively. It makes all the difference. Choose fabrics with good body and resilience, not those that feel limp and clingy.
You will be a “head turner” in your new wardrobe for all the right reasons if you shop carefully and select good quality clothing. Rest assured, you will be glad you did!
The Buddy System
For many years, I resisted opportunities to shop with friends. After all, they didn’t need to worry about finding fashion in the plus size departments, and they certainly were not interested in browsing at plus size stores. It was just too embarrassing to let a friend in on what size I actually wore. Thus, shopping became a solo activity, and one that I did only when absolutely necessary.
After weight loss, it can be a great help to bring a good friend along as you shop for clothing. Select the friend who always looks well put together, or whose taste you admire. A friend can give you an honest opinion as to which colors, styles, and fabrics look best...and which to avoid. A friend’s watchful eye can quickly size up whether you are ready for a smaller size pair of jeans and hustle back to the sales floor to bring in another size. A friend can be honest when you try on that adorable mini skirt, advising you that it may only work with a pair of leggings underneath to cover some sagging skin that is just too exposed with bare legs.
Building your new wardrobe after weight loss can be a wonderful reward for a job well done. Enjoy yourself, and remember to consider good undergarments, fit, color, versatility, accessories, and quality as you select items for this exciting adventure!
5 No-brainer ways to motivate your metabolism
5 No-brainer ways to motivate your metabolism
Losing weight isn’t about eating less, it’s about eating more—more nutrition-dense food, to crowd out the empty calories and keep you full all day. That’s important, because restricting food will kill your metabolism. It sends a signal to your body that says, “I’m starving here!” And your body responds by slowing your metabolic rate in order to hold onto existing energy stores. What’s worse, if the food shortage (meaning, your crash diet) continues, you’ll begin burning muscle tissue, which just gives your enemy, visceral fat, a greater advantage. Your metabolism drops even more, and fat goes on to claim even more territory. Here are some no-brainer ways to motivate your metabolism to burn more fat.
1. GO TO BED EARLIER A study in Finland looked at sets of identical twins and discovered that of each set of siblings, the twin who slept less and was under more stress had more visceral fat.
2. EAT MORE PROTEIN Your body needs protein to maintain lean muscle. In a 2006 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "The Underappreciated Role of Muscle in Health and Disease," researchers argue that the present recommended daily allowance of protein, 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, was established using obsolete data and is woefully inadequate for an individual doing resistance training. Researchers now recommend that women get an amount between 0.54 and 1 gram per pound of body weight. (If you want to lose weight, use your goal body weight as your guide.) Add a serving, like 3 ounces of lean meat, 2 tablespoons of nuts, or 8 ounces of low-fat yogurt, to every meal and snack. Plus, research shows protein can up post meal calorie burn by as much as 35 percent.
3. GO ORGANIC WHEN YOU CAN Canadian researchers report that dieters with the most organ chlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a greater than normal dip in metabolism as they lose weight, perhaps because the toxins interfere with the energy-burning process. In other words, pesticides make it harder to lose pounds. Other research hints that pesticides can trigger weight gain. Of course, it’s not always easy to find—or easy to afford—a whole bunch of organic produce. So you need to know when organic counts, and when it’s not that important. Organic onions, avocado, and grapefruit not necessary, But choose organic when buying celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale / collard greens, cherries, potatoes, and imported grapes; they tend to have the highest levels of pesticides.
4. GET UP, STAND UP Whether you sit or stand at work may play as big a role in your health and your waistline as your fitness routine. Missouri University researchers discovered that inactivity (4 hours or more) causes a near shutdown of an enzyme that controls fat and cholesterol metabolism, so you store more fat, rather than using it for energy, all day long. To keep this enzyme active and increase your fat burning, break up long periods of downtime by standing up--for example, while talking on the phone.
5. DRINK COLD WATER German researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day (that's 48 ounces) can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily--enough to shed 5 pounds in a year. The increase may come from the work it takes to heat the water to body temperature. Though the extra calories you burn drinking a single glass doesn't amount to much, making it a habit can add up to pounds lost with essentially zero additional effort
Fight Fat with Fiber
Research shows that some fiber can fire up your fat burn by as much as 30 percent. Studies find that those who eat the most fiber gain the least weight over time. Aim for about 25 grams a day—the amount in about three servings each of fruits and vegetables
Eat Iron-Rich Foods
Iron is essential for carrying the oxygen your muscles need to burn fat. Unless you restock your stores, you run the risk of low energy and a sagging metabolism. Shellfish, lean meats, beans, fortified cereals, and spinach are excellent sources
Eat Iron-Rich Foods
Iron is essential for carrying the oxygen your muscles need to burn fat. Unless you restock your stores, you run the risk of low energy and a sagging metabolism. Shellfish, lean meats, beans, fortified cereals, and spinach are excellent sources
Drink Milk
There's some evidence that calcium deficiency, which is common in many women, may slow metabolism. Research shows that consuming calcium through dairy foods such as fat-free milk and low-fat yogurt may also reduce fat absorption from other foods.
Eat Watermelon
The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to the Journal of Nutrition. In a laboratory study, adding this amino acid to the diet of obese mice enhanced the oxidation of fat and glucose. Snack on watermelon and other arginine sources, such as seafood, nuts, and seeds, year-round.
Stay Hydrated
All of your body's chemical reactions, including your metabolism, depend on water. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2 percent fewer calories, according to researchers at the University of Utah. Drink at least eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses a day
Fiber Foods Help You Slim Down
30 ways to add low and high fiber foods to your diet plan and keep the weight off--yes it's that easy!
We all know our bodies need calcium for bones, vitamin C to fend off colds, and chocolate to save relationships. But when it comes to losing weight, the nutritional information is a little more confusing. The mighty trilogy of nutrients — protein, carbohydrates, and fat — garners most of the diet industry's attention, but it's becoming much more clear that fiber needs to be the fourth leg of the dietary table. Study after study shows that not only do high fiber foods help lower your risk of cancer, heart attack, and high blood pressure, but it also keeps you full and helps you cut calories you consume every day. Trouble is, most of us think that getting the recommended 30 grams of fiber a day means eating cereal that tastes like the box it comes in. But that's not the case; you can sneak fiber foods into your diet anywhere. Use these 28 fiber-friendly tactics to eat more — and weigh less.
At Breakfast
Spice up your eggs: One-third of a cup of chopped onion and one clove of garlic will add 1 g of fiber to scrambled eggs. Or fold the eggs omelet-style over 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli for an additional 2 g.
Drop a whole orange into the blender to flavor your morning smoothie. One peeled orange has nearly 3 g more fiber than even the pulpiest orange juice.
Fill your juice glass with nectar instead of a watery juice from concentrate. Nectar is apricot, peach, pear, or papaya juice, mixed with fiber-rich pulp. It packs more than 1 g of fiber per 8-ounce glass.
Heat up a bowl of oat bran instead of oatmeal; it has nearly 2 g more fiber. Add even more flavor and fiber by stirring in 1/4 cup of raisins or chopped dates before nuking it.
Sprinkle ground flaxseed over your favorite cold cereal, or stir a few spoonful’s into a cup of yogurt. Two tablespoons equals close to an extra 2 g fiber.
Grab an Asian pear. Similar in taste to other pears, the red-colored Asian variety has an apple-like crispness and shape, and it delivers significantly more fiber — 4 g per pear.
Buy spreadable fiber, like almond butter, for your whole-wheat toast. Two tablespoons adds 2 g of fiber, along with a healthy dose of heart-protecting fats and vitamins like E.
Whip up a pack of hot-chocolate mix instead of that second cup of coffee. Most instant-cocoa mixes have as much as 3 g of fiber per cup.
Spice up your eggs: One-third of a cup of chopped onion and one clove of garlic will add 1 g of fiber to scrambled eggs. Or fold the eggs omelet-style over 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli for an additional 2 g.
Drop a whole orange into the blender to flavor your morning smoothie. One peeled orange has nearly 3 g more fiber than even the pulpiest orange juice.
Fill your juice glass with nectar instead of a watery juice from concentrate. Nectar is apricot, peach, pear, or papaya juice, mixed with fiber-rich pulp. It packs more than 1 g of fiber per 8-ounce glass.
Heat up a bowl of oat bran instead of oatmeal; it has nearly 2 g more fiber. Add even more flavor and fiber by stirring in 1/4 cup of raisins or chopped dates before nuking it.
Sprinkle ground flaxseed over your favorite cold cereal, or stir a few spoonful’s into a cup of yogurt. Two tablespoons equals close to an extra 2 g fiber.
Grab an Asian pear. Similar in taste to other pears, the red-colored Asian variety has an apple-like crispness and shape, and it delivers significantly more fiber — 4 g per pear.
Buy spreadable fiber, like almond butter, for your whole-wheat toast. Two tablespoons adds 2 g of fiber, along with a healthy dose of heart-protecting fats and vitamins like E.
Whip up a pack of hot-chocolate mix instead of that second cup of coffee. Most instant-cocoa mixes have as much as 3 g of fiber per cup.
At Lunch
Don't like whole wheat? Make your sandwiches with rye bread. One slice has almost 2 g fiber — twice the amount found in white bread.
Opt for burritos instead of tacos. Flour tortillas have more fiber than taco shells. Even better, make the burrito whole wheat for still more fiber per serving. Now, order that burrito with meat and beans instead of meat alone. Half a cup of beans adds 6 g of fiber to your meal.
Stow some microwavable soup in your desk for when you need to work through lunch. Lentil, chili with beans, ham and bean, and black bean each have between 6 and 10 g of fiber per cup.
Shower your pizza with oregano or basil. A teaspoon of either spice adds 1 g of fiber. Order it with mushrooms and you'll get 1 g more.
Build your burger with a sesame-seed bun instead of the plain variety. Sesame seeds add 1/2 g of fiber per burger.
Order your dog with sauerkraut. Every 1/4 cup you pile on adds close to 1 g of fiber to your frank.
Don't like whole wheat? Make your sandwiches with rye bread. One slice has almost 2 g fiber — twice the amount found in white bread.
Opt for burritos instead of tacos. Flour tortillas have more fiber than taco shells. Even better, make the burrito whole wheat for still more fiber per serving. Now, order that burrito with meat and beans instead of meat alone. Half a cup of beans adds 6 g of fiber to your meal.
Stow some microwavable soup in your desk for when you need to work through lunch. Lentil, chili with beans, ham and bean, and black bean each have between 6 and 10 g of fiber per cup.
Shower your pizza with oregano or basil. A teaspoon of either spice adds 1 g of fiber. Order it with mushrooms and you'll get 1 g more.
Build your burger with a sesame-seed bun instead of the plain variety. Sesame seeds add 1/2 g of fiber per burger.
Order your dog with sauerkraut. Every 1/4 cup you pile on adds close to 1 g of fiber to your frank.
In the Afternoon
Drink bottled chocolate milk, not white. The combination of the chocolate and the compounds needed to keep it suspended in the milk provides 1.5 g of fiber in every 8 ounces.
Pop a pack of light popcorn instead of popping open a bag of potato chips. There's 8 g of fiber in every bag of popcorn.
Have a low-sodium V8 and its 2 g of fiber. The V8 that comes spiked with salt has half that amount.
Graze on trial mix instead of a granola bar. Most granola bars have only 1 g of fiber, while trail mix with dried fruit has nearly 3 g.
At Dinner
toss 1/2 cup of chickpeas into a pot of your favorite soup. They'll absorb the flavor of the soup and tack 6 g of fiber onto your bottom line.
Swap a sweet potato for your standard spud. Sweet potatoes have 2 g more fiber per tuber than the typical Idaho variety. Not a fan? At least eat the skin of the regular potato — it alone has 1 g of fiber.
Go wild when you make rice. Cup for cup, wild rice has three times the fiber of white.
Add some green to your red sauce. Doctor your favorite jarred pasta sauce with 1/2 cup of frozen chopped spinach. The spinach will take on the flavor of the sauce and pad your fiber count by more than 2 g.
Prepare whole-wheat or spinach pasta instead of the regular semolina kind. A cup of either has 5 g of fiber.
Cook broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, and you'll take in 3 to 5 g of fiber per serving, as much as twice what you'll get if you eat them raw. (Heat makes fiber more available.)
Use uncooked oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs in your next meat loaf. Add 3/4 cup of oats per pound of ground meat, and you'll boost the total fiber count to more than 8 g.
At Dessert
Say nuts to candy bars. Bars with almonds, like Almond Joy and Alpine white chocolate with almonds, have about 2 g of fiber — almost twice the fiber content of bars without.
Top a bowl of ice cream with sliced fresh berries in lieu of syrup. One-half cup of raspberries provides 4 g of fiber; strawberries and blueberries pack half that amount.
Introduce your pie hole to a slice of apple, cherry, or berry pie, and you'll add an extra 3 to 5 g of fiber. Cake doesn't have nearly as much fiber.
Drink bottled chocolate milk, not white. The combination of the chocolate and the compounds needed to keep it suspended in the milk provides 1.5 g of fiber in every 8 ounces.
Pop a pack of light popcorn instead of popping open a bag of potato chips. There's 8 g of fiber in every bag of popcorn.
Have a low-sodium V8 and its 2 g of fiber. The V8 that comes spiked with salt has half that amount.
Graze on trial mix instead of a granola bar. Most granola bars have only 1 g of fiber, while trail mix with dried fruit has nearly 3 g.
At Dinner
toss 1/2 cup of chickpeas into a pot of your favorite soup. They'll absorb the flavor of the soup and tack 6 g of fiber onto your bottom line.
Swap a sweet potato for your standard spud. Sweet potatoes have 2 g more fiber per tuber than the typical Idaho variety. Not a fan? At least eat the skin of the regular potato — it alone has 1 g of fiber.
Go wild when you make rice. Cup for cup, wild rice has three times the fiber of white.
Add some green to your red sauce. Doctor your favorite jarred pasta sauce with 1/2 cup of frozen chopped spinach. The spinach will take on the flavor of the sauce and pad your fiber count by more than 2 g.
Prepare whole-wheat or spinach pasta instead of the regular semolina kind. A cup of either has 5 g of fiber.
Cook broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, and you'll take in 3 to 5 g of fiber per serving, as much as twice what you'll get if you eat them raw. (Heat makes fiber more available.)
Use uncooked oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs in your next meat loaf. Add 3/4 cup of oats per pound of ground meat, and you'll boost the total fiber count to more than 8 g.
At Dessert
Say nuts to candy bars. Bars with almonds, like Almond Joy and Alpine white chocolate with almonds, have about 2 g of fiber — almost twice the fiber content of bars without.
Top a bowl of ice cream with sliced fresh berries in lieu of syrup. One-half cup of raspberries provides 4 g of fiber; strawberries and blueberries pack half that amount.
Introduce your pie hole to a slice of apple, cherry, or berry pie, and you'll add an extra 3 to 5 g of fiber. Cake doesn't have nearly as much fiber.
Gastric Bypass is What I am having in August 2011
Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve Diet
Immediately after your gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, you won't be able to eat for one to two days. After a couple of days, you will be able to eat some very specific foods according to a diet progression. The purpose of the gastric bypass diet progression is to help you in the healing process, minimize stress on surgical areas and allow time for your body to adjust to new eating patterns.
Common phases in the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve diet:
Phase I - Liquids - foods and fluids that are liquid or semi-liquid at room temperature and contain mostly water, such as broth, juice, milk, strained cream soup and cooked cereal. In most cases, you stay on a liquid diet for one to two days.
Phase II - Pureed foods - foods with a consistency of a smooth paste or a thick liquid. Pureed foods contain no distinct pieces. The pureed diet is generally followed for three to four weeks, or as recommended by your dietitian or doctor.
Phase III - Soft foods - foods that are tender and easy to chew, such as ground or finely diced meats, canned or soft, fresh fruit, and cooked vegetables. You usually eat soft foods for eight weeks before progressing to eating foods of regular consistency with firmer texture as recommended by your dietitian or doctor.
During the diet progression, you eat many small meals each day and sip liquids slowly throughout the day (but not at the same time you eat). You may start with six small meals a day, then progress to four meals and then finally, when following a regular diet, decrease to three meals a day. Typically, each meal will include protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, low-fat dairy products (yogurt, cheese) or eggs. Protein is important for maintaining and repairing your body after surgery.
How quickly you move from one step to the next depends on how fast your body adjusts to the change in eating patterns and the texture and consistency of food. People usually start eating regular foods with a firmer texture three months after surgery, but it can occur sooner.
Immediately after your gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery, you won't be able to eat for one to two days. After a couple of days, you will be able to eat some very specific foods according to a diet progression. The purpose of the gastric bypass diet progression is to help you in the healing process, minimize stress on surgical areas and allow time for your body to adjust to new eating patterns.
Common phases in the gastric bypass and gastric sleeve diet:
Phase I - Liquids - foods and fluids that are liquid or semi-liquid at room temperature and contain mostly water, such as broth, juice, milk, strained cream soup and cooked cereal. In most cases, you stay on a liquid diet for one to two days.
Phase II - Pureed foods - foods with a consistency of a smooth paste or a thick liquid. Pureed foods contain no distinct pieces. The pureed diet is generally followed for three to four weeks, or as recommended by your dietitian or doctor.
Phase III - Soft foods - foods that are tender and easy to chew, such as ground or finely diced meats, canned or soft, fresh fruit, and cooked vegetables. You usually eat soft foods for eight weeks before progressing to eating foods of regular consistency with firmer texture as recommended by your dietitian or doctor.
During the diet progression, you eat many small meals each day and sip liquids slowly throughout the day (but not at the same time you eat). You may start with six small meals a day, then progress to four meals and then finally, when following a regular diet, decrease to three meals a day. Typically, each meal will include protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, low-fat dairy products (yogurt, cheese) or eggs. Protein is important for maintaining and repairing your body after surgery.
How quickly you move from one step to the next depends on how fast your body adjusts to the change in eating patterns and the texture and consistency of food. People usually start eating regular foods with a firmer texture three months after surgery, but it can occur sooner.
CLEAR LIQUIDS
You may drink anything that is clear and liquid at room temperature. Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks.
You may drink anything that is clear and liquid at room temperature. Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks.
Examples:
- Water with ice chips
- Sugar free Popsicle
- Crystal Light
- Decaf tea
- Sugar Free Jell-O
- Diet V8 Splash
Do not drink from straws or sports top bottles as this can cause air bubbles and may cause discomfort. Water may be difficult at first. Try adding lemon and adjusting the temperature. Please follow your doctors' recommendations on how long to follow each diet.
SOFT FOOD DIET
- Mashed potatoes
- Bananas
- Malt-O Meal
- Scrambled Eggs
- Baked Fish
- Low Fat cottage cheese
- Sugar free yogurt or pudding
- Applesauce with no sugar added
- Soft cooked vegetables
- Avoid eating fats and sugar for the time being as these may be difficult for the body to digest in this stage.
- Chew your food very well - eat slowly.
- If you feel full - STOP EATING
PROTEINS
- Protein is needed by the body to build and repair the body's cells and tissues.
- Protein plays a vital role in immunity.
- Choose lean meats such as:
- Fish, shellfish, poultry, lean beef, lamb, pork, veal, and 95% fat free deli meat.
- Avoid high fat cooking methods like frying with oil. void high fat meats such as bacon, sausage, pepperoni or salami.
FATS
- A limited amount of fat is needed in the diet.
- Fats can be found in baked goods (cakes, muffins, cookies), greasy or fried foods, oils and butter.
- Fat may be difficult to digest after gastric bypass surgery.
- Too much fat may cause reflux (heartburn).
- Excess fat may cause diarrhea, nausea and discomfort.
- Avoid high fat choices like regular salad dressing, butter, cream cheese and mayonnaise.
- Choose low fat options such as fat free / low fat salad dressing, mayonnaise, nonstick cooking spray and olive oil.
COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES
- Carbohydrates including grains and starches are the bodies main source of energy.
- They provide energy, B Vitamins, Fiber, and Minerals
- Complex carbohydrates provide nutrients and make you feel full.
- Look for foods with whole grain or 100% wheat flour.
- Examples of complex carbohydrates:
- Wheat bread, low fat crackers, cereals with low sugar such as Special K, Cheerios, Raisin Bran, rice and pasta
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
- VEGETABLES provide fiber, energy, Vitamin A and Vitamin C
- Choose a variety of vegetables for your diet
- Avoid using high fat cooking methods such as added butter or oil, or adding high fat sauces such as creams, cheese or gravy
- Remember to incorporate vegetables back into your diet slowly and start with soft consistencies.
- FRUIT provides complex carbohydrates, fiber, energy and Vitamin C.
- Incorporate them into your daily routine; fruit makes great snacks.
- Choose a variety of fruits
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