The Importance of Nutrition for Bariatrics
Our nation is up against a fight that will go all 12 rounds. It’s the fight against the obesity epidemic that we currently face––with over 60% of American adults considered overweight and over 30% of those being considered obese, we have a major problem on our hands. Some are fighting back by controlling their nutrition as well as exercising, but sometimes that’s simply not enough to protect from the resulting debilitating diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, apnea, arthritis, dyslipidemia, and more. To try and take back their life (and sometimes save it), many are looking to bariatric surgery as an answer. Those who decide to go this route need to understand the importance of nutrition for bariatrics before, during, and after surgery – it’s a whole lifestyle change, not just a surgery.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery states that on average there are more than 196,000 bariatric surgeries performed every year. The risk of death from bariatric surgeries is said to be around 0.13%, making this often lifesaving surgical procedure extremely safe1. If this is something you are interested in or are considering, you’re definitely going to want to keep reading this article.
Bariatrics Face Drastic Nutritional Changes
Nutrition for bariatrics is extremely important. Anyone who has been focusing on weight management knows that they didn’t gain all of their weight overnight – they’ve overconsumed calories for months, even years. They ate all the wrong kinds of foods, made poor nutritional choices, and had no clue how many calories they were taking in each day. Most probably didn’t even care or take notice of their unhealthy lifestyle until their doctors informed them of the negative health consequences of their actions. However, in bariatric surgery, individuals need to grasp the concept of adhering to a healthy lifestyle early on if they wish to maintain their health, lose weight, and avoid post-surgery complications. Nutrition for bariatrics can mean the difference between success and extreme complications.
UCLA Health has put together an amazing and resourceful list of guidelines that are recommended to be followed after a bariatric surgery2. If you are considering the surgery, you will want to listen to your personal doctor’s orders, but if you wished to understand what the recovery looks like from a nutritional standpoint and lifestyle change, I’m going to help lay out some of these guidelines here.
After surgery, a bariatrics stomach is going to need some time to heal. Along with the healing process, the individual needs to understand that the volume of food they consumed before surgery will be drastically reduced as a result of the bariatric surgery. For that reason, the nutrition for bariatrics guidelines below could be what your doctor tells you to follow.
*It should be noted that this article is for informational purposes only and that Labrada is not recommending this be used to substitute professional medical advice, diagnose, or treat any type of condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding your health, a medical condition, or treatment and before undertaking a new health regimen. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article or this website.
Guidelines: Nutrition for Bariatrics
1-2 Weeks Post-Op
The early stages following bariatric surgery are extremely important. Patients aren’t able to simply go back to their normal nutritional habits or complications will certainly surface. Following surgery, bariatrics will generally only be allowed to consume clear liquids. This can be anything from water, broth, watered-down juice, or possibly something like sugar-free popsicles. Such restrictions will generally only be for a day or two post-op. However, bariatrics should avoid drinking anything from a straw as it can cause them to swallow air which can lead to stomach bloating and pain.
From there, around the two-week post-op mark, bariatrics can be introduced to what they consider “full liquids” which would be foods that have been blended or liquefied and are extremely thin and easy to drink. They mention having the consistency similar to that of milk. It’s important to utilize liquids that are nutrient-dense and can supply the body with vital vitamins and minerals. Protein is especially important from here on out to help preserve lean muscle mass and maintain a healthy metabolism. With that being said, volume needs to be monitored and kept under control. Consuming too much food or consuming it too quickly can cause stomach pain, discomfort, and nausea.
Bariatrics should also keep track of their food and macros to ensure they are not only getting the proper nutrition they need, but also that they aren’t overconsuming on calories. Overall sugar intake should be kept to a minimum and the avoidance of any beverages that are carbonated is recommended. Ideally, most bariatrics are asked to keep their calories around 1,000 to help their digestive system and stomach adjust to the changes from surgery. Alcohol should obviously be avoided. Also, consume water regularly or other low-calorie and caffeine-free beverages to help prevent dehydration.
Some liquids to consider early on are things like vegetable juice, broths (such as bone broth), low-fat milk, any liquid with added protein powder, or as a convenience, an RTD protein shake that is premade. Lean Body RTDs are a perfect solution for bariatrics due to its premium protein content as well as being low in sugar – both being key components of nutrition for bariatrics and new lifestyle changes.
Bariatrics may find that liquids seem to pass through them much faster than before, this is considered normal. Also, when utilizing “full liquids” individuals should be aware that due to the surgery, they can only hold down small amounts of liquid. It should take some time for them to consume an entire protein shake or liquid in small dosages because the stomach can now only fit so much before it runs out of room. Bariatrics will need to take things slowly to understand their limits and tolerances with liquid and soon whole foods.
2-8 Weeks Post-Op
At this stage, many are introduced to soft foods such as noodles, oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, eggs, cottage cheese, canned fruit, lean proteins like ground meat, or anything that can be puréed. Again, protein should be a focus and utilizing soft sources like ground up proteins, tofu, fish, cottage cheese, eggs or egg whites, as well as protein powders and RTDs are preferred.
If a food source is not easily chewed, it should not be consumed. For instance, all bread should be avoided at this time. Each item consumed needs to be thoroughly chewed and broken down into very small pieces. It is also recommended as nutrition for bariatrics that after every two bites, the individual should take a 15-20 minute break to ensure the stomach can hold the addition of new solid foods.
This stage can be a slow and drawn out process, but it is 100% necessary and vital to take things slow so that complications do not arise. Consuming too much food too quickly can easily cause the food to potentially come back up or in extreme cases cause the stomach to tear – which obviously isn’t ideal.
2+ Months Post-Op
At this point, many bariatric patients are able to introduce more traditional food sources in small amounts – again, as long as they are chewed thoroughly and broken down properly. Meals can slowly introduce other foods not recommended prior such as bread and rice (if they are tolerated by the individual’s stomach) as well as items like steamed vegetables versus the puréed that were recommended in the earlier stage.
Protein should still remain high moving forward, but more whole food options should be introduced as the patient is better able to understand how much volume the stomach can hold. Additional protein powders and RTDs can be used as a supplement where needed.
In the long-term, bariatrics can slowly add foods with more texture and consistency to their nutrition. The key is to make sure the nutrition for bariatrics consumed are low in sugar, fat, and calories. It is still advised that bariatrics track their nutrition on a daily basis to ensure they are getting all of the macronutrients they need per their doctor’s orders as well as the key micronutrients. Meals should take around 30 minutes to consume. Another important thing to note is that it is not recommended that bariatrics drink fluid while they are eating. This would cause the stomach to fill up and not allow enough food to be consumed before fullness sets in. During meals, nutrition is prioritized over liquids to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
Utilization of Supplements
Along the same lines of helping the body function optimally are supplements. Things such as a multivitamin to help you take in vital nutrients that you could be missing from your diet. Your doctor may put you on more than a multivitamin, but it seems like most bariatrics are taking some form of a multivitamin on a daily basis to help provide the body with micronutrients it may not be getting through their diet alone. Protein supplements also come into play when not enough is being consumed by whole food sources.
There is no need to go out and purchase every supplement on the shelf because you feel you may be deficient. Your doctor will be able to give you much better direction as to what is necessary for you to supplement with based on your individual needs. Follow the doctor’s guidelines for nutrition for bariatrics and you will put yourself in a great position to maintain your health.
Sources:
- https://renewbariatrics.com/bariatric-surgery-statistics/
- https://www.uclahealth.org/departments/surgery
*This article was written for and sponsored by Labrada Nutrition
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