Gastric sleeve surgery in Maryland has helped thousands of individuals reclaim their health and their lives. However, it isn’t the quick fix that many think it is. While it is a tool that aids in massive weight loss for obese individuals, it also requires lifestyle changes from the patient to work long term.Post-surgery, the stomach is often a quarter or less of its original size. This limits food intake. It also requires dietary changes to prevent harming the stomach or leading to
weight gain after gastric sleeve surgery. While smaller portions are key to success, there are some foods that should be mostly or entirely avoided.
Foods to Avoid After Gastric Sleeve
After gastric sleeve surgery, you first need to heal before you are able to eat solid foods. Once you pass that milestone, there are no foods that are explicitly off limits. However, there are certain foods you should rarely eat, and if possible, avoid entirely. These include:
- Fatty foods
- Foods with lots of added sugar
- Empty calories
However, you might discover that other foods are off limits to you just because your newly reshaped stomach can no longer tolerate them. Some foods people avoid after gastric sleeve surgery include:
- Anything tough to chew, as these foods are also harder to digest
- Fibrous foods, such as some types of fruits and veggies
- Nuts and seeds
- Long-grain rice
- Anything spicy
While it isn’t that you cannot eat these foods after gastric sleeve surgery as a rule, you should introduce them slowly and see how your body reacts to them.
How to Approach Your Post-Surgery Diet
Your doctor should give you a precise schedule for introducing foods after your surgery. This will start with a clear liquid diet, then a full liquid diet, and from there progress to purees, then soft foods, then softer solid foods before opening up to allow all foods—with the correct approach.Keep in mind that it isn’t just what you eat, but how you eat. Some of the basic rules for mealtimes after gastric sleeve surgery are:
- Break up your food consumption into 4-6 small meals.
- Take time to chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
- Stop eating when you get the first sense of being full.
- Center meals around protein and then build around this with fruits and veggies.
- Be mindful about eating urges that are tied to emotions, including boredom.
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of fluids daily.
- Do not drink within 15 to 30 minutes of mealtimes as this can cause vomiting.
After bariatric surgery, you may feel like a new person. You might even be asking yourself, How will life change after weight loss surgery? Our blog has great advice to guide you through the process!For more information about the post-bariatric surgery diet, set up a consultation.
FAQs
Some foods people avoid after gastric sleeve surgery include: Anything tough to chew, as these foods are also harder to digest. Fibrous foods, such as some types of fruits and veggies. Nuts and seeds.
Are there any foods you can never eat again after gastric sleeve? ›
Some foods people avoid after gastric sleeve surgery include: Anything tough to chew, as these foods are also harder to digest. Fibrous foods, such as some types of fruits and veggies. Nuts and seeds.
How long after gastric sleeve surgery can you eat normal food? ›
After around 7 to 8 weeks you should be able to resume a normal solid food diet. Your gastric sleeve will allow you to eat almost any type or texture of food.
What are the restrictions after gastric sleeve surgery? ›
Patients are restricted from lifting objects over 10 pounds for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Sexual activity is restricted for the first 2-4 weeks after surgery. Patients should not take a bath (showers are okay beginning the day after surgery) or go into a swimming pool for two weeks.
What can I eat 7 days after gastric sleeve? ›
Post-Op Gastric Sleeve Diet: 1st Week After Surgery
During your first week after surgery, you will be restricted to clear liquids. In addition to water, you can drink clear broth, decaffeinated beverages, and the sugar-free versions of drink mixes like Kool-Aid and Crystal Light.
Can I ever eat pizza again after gastric sleeve? ›
Pizza and pasta are normally favorites, but after bariatric surgery, they should be consumed in moderation. If you are having pizza, order a thin crust and add veggies and lean meats, such as chicken or Canadian bacon. Overall, you should choose a menu item that is centered on protein, like grilled chicken or seafood.
Can you ever eat pasta again after gastric sleeve? ›
So, when can you eat pasta after gastric sleeve? The twelfth week marks the start of the last phase toward attaining your weight loss goal and will differ in length among individuals. You will start adding most of the foods into your diet, including all fruits and lean meat, and then… Pasta!
Can your stomach go back after gastric sleeve? ›
Another concern for individuals considering gastric sleeve surgery is whether the stomach can grow back after the procedure. The good news is that the stomach does not grow back after gastric sleeve surgery. Once the stomach has been reduced in size, it remains that way for the rest of the patient's life.
What are the downsides of gastric sleeves? ›
Longer term risks and complications of sleeve gastrectomy surgery can include:
- Gastrointestinal obstruction.
- Hernias.
- Gastroesophageal reflux.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Malnutrition.
- Vomiting.
Meal Frequency
Smaller, more frequent meals can prevent your body from entering a 'hibernation state', a common cause of bariatric surgery weight loss plateaus.
In the first, you can continue eating any of the foods from Stage 1, plus pureed fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, and low-fat dairy products. Beginning on day 11, patients may also consume soft foods, including meatloaf, baked fish, tuna and egg salad, cheese, and canned fruits.
When can I eat scrambled eggs after gastric sleeve? ›
The general rule is that immediately after surgery, you should have 2 weeks of liquids followed by 2 weeks of soft/pureed food before returning to solids. Liquids can include meal replacement shakes or soups and purees must include very soft foods such as overcooked veg, runny scrambled eggs or semolina.
What are the hardest days after gastric sleeve? ›
What are the hardest days after weight loss surgery? The day after surgery might be the hardest since you may have discomfort from your surgery and won't be able to eat solid food.
Can you ever eat properly again after gastric sleeve? ›
Over time you will be able to eat and digest foods with different textures and ingredients again. Therefore, life after bariatric surgery is not that much different and you can soon eat almost anything. There are only three important rules you must follow: eat smaller portions, eat as slowly as possible and chew well.
Can you ever eat fast food again after gastric sleeve? ›
Ultimately, fast food may be an option when you're in a pinch and you have no other option. However, for most, staying away from the fast food is a good idea and one that you will certainly not regret as the pounds continue to fall and your health improves dramatically.
Can I ever eat steak again after gastric sleeve? ›
Avoid Red Meat for Several Weeks After Surgery
It will take about a month before returning to certain solid foods, and at least another few weeks after that before patients can be back to full solids. For the first two months after bariatric surgery, stay away from red meat.
Can you ever eat spicy food again after gastric sleeve? ›
Initially, spicy foods may be difficult for your digestive system to process. It's best to re-incorporate foods into your diet slowly after bariatric surgery. If you find that you cannot tolerate spicy foods at first, you should wait awhile before trying to re-introduce them to your diet.
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