What Sort of Diet is Necessary Following a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?
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A vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a major operation that is designed for people who are exceptionally overweight and need to lose a significant amount of weight. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure reduces your stomach down to around only 15 percent or less of its former size. This is an extremely significant change which will require some major adjustments to your diet.
Following a vertical sleeve gastrectomy your doctor and medical team will advise you on the proper diet procedures. In general, a post vertical sleeve gastrectomy diet will be liquid only in its early phases and will slowly add soft foods and then solid foods. After solid foods are slowly introduced into your diet again, the post vertical sleeve gastrectomy diet will then move on to a restricted food plan. A post-operative diet will be heavily focused on several types of important nutrients including lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Following a vertical sleeve gastrectomy your doctor and medical team will advise you on the proper diet procedures. In general, a post vertical sleeve gastrectomy diet will be liquid only in its early phases and will slowly add soft foods and then solid foods. After solid foods are slowly introduced into your diet again, the post vertical sleeve gastrectomy diet will then move on to a restricted food plan. A post-operative diet will be heavily focused on several types of important nutrients including lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Post-Operative Diet - Phase One
The first phase of the diet is generally centered on clear liquids taken in the first few meals after surgery. Patients are normally allowed to have portion sizes of around three ounces of water, tea, clear broth or non-carbonated drinks during the first day or two after surgery. These meals will be supervised by the hospital staff.
After the first day or two patients are usually given soft foods that are pureed and might include meats, vegetables and fruit such as applesauce. Very finely mashed potatoes are also a typical addition to the diet at this early stage after vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This diet will continue until after the patient is discharged from the hospital.
The first phase of the diet is generally centered on clear liquids taken in the first few meals after surgery. Patients are normally allowed to have portion sizes of around three ounces of water, tea, clear broth or non-carbonated drinks during the first day or two after surgery. These meals will be supervised by the hospital staff.
After the first day or two patients are usually given soft foods that are pureed and might include meats, vegetables and fruit such as applesauce. Very finely mashed potatoes are also a typical addition to the diet at this early stage after vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This diet will continue until after the patient is discharged from the hospital.
Post-Operative Diet - Phase Two
The second phase of the diet will introduce semi solid foods. This is technically classified as a soft diet and usually lasts for around one month after discharge from the hospital. Foods typically eaten in this part of the diet will include poached eggs, low fat cottage cheese, grits, oatmeal and sugar free low fat puddings. Meats are not entirely off limits but they must be blended until soft.
During this phase of the diet, patients can eat limited quantities of any of these foods and typical portion sizes are 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vegetables. Protein (usually in the form of meat or poultry) is generally also limited to about 1/2 cup per day. Patients need to be cautious about dairy intake during this phase: No more than one cup of milk, yogurt or other dairy product per day is general recommended. Water is always important and patients should drink at least 6 to 8 cups of water each day. Sugar free drinks are permissible as well but patients should still avoid carbonated beverages at this stage.
The second phase of the diet will introduce semi solid foods. This is technically classified as a soft diet and usually lasts for around one month after discharge from the hospital. Foods typically eaten in this part of the diet will include poached eggs, low fat cottage cheese, grits, oatmeal and sugar free low fat puddings. Meats are not entirely off limits but they must be blended until soft.
During this phase of the diet, patients can eat limited quantities of any of these foods and typical portion sizes are 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vegetables. Protein (usually in the form of meat or poultry) is generally also limited to about 1/2 cup per day. Patients need to be cautious about dairy intake during this phase: No more than one cup of milk, yogurt or other dairy product per day is general recommended. Water is always important and patients should drink at least 6 to 8 cups of water each day. Sugar free drinks are permissible as well but patients should still avoid carbonated beverages at this stage.
Post-Operative Diet - Phase Three
In the last phase of the diet after vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, solid food can be re-introduced to an eating plan. It is generally recommended that lean protein sources, fresh veggies and fruit and whole grain are still the cornerstones of the diet, but it is now permissible to eat these in solid form. Any foods with a high fat or sugar content should be avoided and it is often recommended that highly acidic foods be avoided as well.
The Lifetime Plan: Losing Weight and Maintaining It After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is meant only for patients who are willing to make a major life change and who are willing to make that change for an entire lifetime. Part of maintaining the weight loss that comes after a vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the willingness to eat in the proper portions and at the correct intervals. Eating more than the stomach can hold or eating foods that can cause gastric upset is very counter productive, so any patient who is not willing to follow the prescribed eating plan should think carefully and speak with their physician about how they can make the vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery and eating plan work for them in the long term. Patients can lose dramatic amounts of weight, so it is well worth the time and effort involved. In fact, this surgery really can truly save the life of a morbidly obese individual!
In the last phase of the diet after vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, solid food can be re-introduced to an eating plan. It is generally recommended that lean protein sources, fresh veggies and fruit and whole grain are still the cornerstones of the diet, but it is now permissible to eat these in solid form. Any foods with a high fat or sugar content should be avoided and it is often recommended that highly acidic foods be avoided as well.
The Lifetime Plan: Losing Weight and Maintaining It After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
The vertical sleeve gastrectomy is meant only for patients who are willing to make a major life change and who are willing to make that change for an entire lifetime. Part of maintaining the weight loss that comes after a vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the willingness to eat in the proper portions and at the correct intervals. Eating more than the stomach can hold or eating foods that can cause gastric upset is very counter productive, so any patient who is not willing to follow the prescribed eating plan should think carefully and speak with their physician about how they can make the vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery and eating plan work for them in the long term. Patients can lose dramatic amounts of weight, so it is well worth the time and effort involved. In fact, this surgery really can truly save the life of a morbidly obese individual!
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
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by GastricSurgeon
Donald Saunders writes on a number of health topics including obesity and gastric bypass surgery.
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