Bariatric surgery is an excellent tool to aid you in limiting the amount of food you eat and facilitate weight reduction.

However, after bariatric surgery, significant adaptation of your diet and lifestyle are required to achieve maximum success. After your bariatric surgery, you will be losing weight very rapidly. Proper nutrition is essential to maintain lean body mass, hydration, skin elasticity, and to minimize hair loss.

The post bariatric surgery meal plan requires a significant change in meal planning for most people. We recommend that you begin now adapting your current meal plan to prepare for this change.

The primary nutrition goals after surgery are as follows:

• Learn proper eating habits that will promote weight loss while maintaining health at a reduced weight.
• Consume adequate amounts of protein to minimize loss of lean body mass, and facilitate healing.
• Take adequate amounts of fluid to maintain hydration.
• Obtain adequate nutrients for optimal health through supplementation.

Due to the change in size and function of your stomach after surgery, there are certain foods that should be limited or avoided for at least three to six months post-op. They include but are not limited to the following:

• Carbonated drinks (avoid)
• Sugar sweetened caffeinated beverages (use diet or sugar free)
• Shredded coconut (use coconut extract)
• Tough dry meats (use moist heat preparation, stew, boil, roast)
• Skins, membranes and seeds of fruits and veggies (peel prior to eating)
• Fibrous veggies (i.e. corn, celery, sweet potatoes)
• Fresh bread (use toast, or crackers)
• Fried or high fat foods (bake, broil, grill, use added fats conservatively)
• Whole milk products (use skim or 1 percent milk products)