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You may think that all of your favorite foods are off-limits once you have bariatric surgery. However, a post-bariatric-surgery diet can still include meals and snacks you will enjoy. You just need to keep certain guidelines in mind as you plan your meals, according to Vicki LaGanke, registered dietitian at MetroHealth.
After your bariatric surgery, you will work closely with MetroHealth dietitians to adjust your calorie intake.
“For the first few weeks after surgery, you do have to stick with a liquid diet and protein supplement,” Vicki said. “But gradually, you will begin to eat regular food again.”
When you are ready to eat solid foods, MetroHealth dietitians will help you plan meals that:
"After bariatric surgery, thinking ahead and planning your meals is critical,” Vicki said. “This is a habit you will have to prioritize for the rest of your life, so we will help you set achievable goals from the beginning.”
Bariatric surgery reduces the amount of food you need to feel full. So you will feel full faster and need to be selective about what you eat.
“We want to make sure you are getting the important things in first at each meal,” Vicki said. “You do not want to begin with a starch, which will fill you up but may not give you all the nutrients you need.”
Instead, Vicki recommends the following guidelines:
These downloadable guides give you nutrient-specific information about how and what to eat after bariatric surgery.
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