Have you been thinking about having weight loss surgery?
Get in touch
enquiries@thedietologist.co.uk
01213300828
HOW TO PREP AND PLAN MEALS AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
enquiries@thedietologist.co.uk
Making the decision to have weight loss surgery is a difficult one. Losing weight with bariatric surgery isn’t just about the surgery itself, it is about changing your physical and emotional relationship with food and making a commitment to different eating patterns for the rest of your life.
One of the most common areas that I focus on post-surgery is about meal planning and preparation - you’re going to need to have foods in your fridge and cupboards that are bariatric friendly.
Generally, bariatric procedures work by reducing the size of your stomach, and immediately after surgery you will be on a liquid diet. After your surgery you will spend your time in hospital sipping clear fluids that include water, tea, broth and sugar-free beverages, and you will continue to build up your overall fluid intake after you have been discharged for a week or so. Remember to keep a bottle of water close by at all times.
After 2 weeks of liquids only, you’re ready to progress to pureed foods. This will take a little bit of getting used to, but the positives about this type of diet means that food can be prepared quickly in a blender or food processor in advance and stored in the fridge and freezer. During this stage it’s important to remember to choose foods that will blend well and won’t be irritating to the stomach, including carrots, bananas, green beans, white fish and white meat including chicken and turkey. Don’t forget to add gravy or sauces to blend food to a smooth consistency. Foods that should be avoided at this time are fibrous foods like sweetcorn, asparagus,and fruits that have lots of seeds including kiwi fruits, pomegranates and strawberries.
Soft foods can then start being introduced a week later, including poached eggs, minced meat - shepherds/cottage pie and white fish in sauce. These don’t take much time in terms of preparation and cooking, but make sure that you have plenty of the soft foods available in your fridge for you to access.
After approximately 1 month after bariatric surgery (although this will differ from patient to patient), it will be time to start introducing new foods as you progress to solids, and here is where it can start to get tricky, as having a reduced stomach doesn’t mean that it is simply a matter of eating smaller portion sizes of the same meals that you used to eat before. It’s also important to remember that each person will have different challenges when it comes to certain foods and some will be more tolerant than others, so each meal plan will also be different.Take the time to introduce new foods slowly and remember that this stage will focus on trial and error - working out which foods you can tolerate and which foods lead to feelings of discomfort. Food should also be chopped into very small bite size pieces and chewed thoroughly to accommodate for your smaller stomach size, as larger pieces of food may result in a blockage which can be very uncomfortable. Avoid certain foods at this point as your digestive system is still healing and won’t be able to digest certain foods yet. Some of these foods include fibrous vegetables, fried foods, fizzy drinks, bread and muffins.
Approximately 2-3 months after your bariatric surgery (although this may differ according to each individual), it may be possible to start eating more “normally.” However, it is important to remember to monitor your portion control and maintain a balanced diet in order to avoid weight regain.
Tips for Meal Planning and Prep after Bariatric Surgery
Speak to your specialist bariatric dietitian before you undergo surgery and have a clear overview of what types of food you should be including in your diet post surgery.
Make your planning time easier by creating a meal plan in advance for the coming week, working out the ingredients you are going to need and then ordering the food to be delivered. This is particularly useful in the first few months post-surgery.
Purchase a blender or food processor, make up meals ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer.
Take your time when eating and drinking.
Really listen to your body when introducing new food to your diet. If your stomach can’t tolerate it, leave it out and try again later.
Cut your food up into small pieces and chew thoroughly.
Look at your portion sizes and make sure that you don’t overdo it.
At The Dietologist I can assess and take the time to get a better understanding of your health, relationship with food, weight struggles, lifestyle demands and medical conditions, and work with you to help guide you through your post surgery meal plan and help you prep.
To find out more, book a Discovery Call, https://www.thedietologist.co.uk/#CONTACT
