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The first six
months following surgery is the fastest and easiest time in which to
lose weight so follow the pouch rules carefully at this time and
exercise as much as you can as you will never be able to lose weight
as fast as you can during this period. After six months, the pouch
will stretch about two thirds due to the natural healing process.
This means you will be able to take in more fluids and food.
Understand that it is not the size of the pouch that makes weight
loss maintenance possible but how it is used.
Follow the protocol established by your surgeon for maximum
effective use of your pouch to ensure long term success at weight
loss maintenance.
Please note that Dr. Suh will progress your diet at very stage.
Please call the office should you have any questions.
GETTING A SENSE OF FULLNESS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS
SURGERY.
Rule #1 - Prevention of
Vomiting
Vomiting should be prevented as much as possible. This is achieved
by eating 1-2 ozs of food per serving, making sure that food is
chewed very well and eaten very slowly. Please note that if the
feeling of "fullness" is felt after eating less than 2 ozs, please
stop immediately to avoid being sick. Following surgery your pouch
is healing and may only accept less than 2 ozs of fluids or food. As
the pouch heals you may find you can eat more. Limit meal size to 3
ozs per serving after this period. For those patients that do not
recognize the feeling of "fullness" the rule of thumb is to stick to
eating only 2 ozs of food for the first few months following
surgery.
Rule #2 - Measure Your Food
It is critical and essential for your success to measure all food
once the doctor progresses you to the soft foods and ultimately full
diet. It is recommended that you continue to measure until you are
about six months out. This helps you to avoid overeating and
ultimately stretching your pouch.
Rule #3 - Eat Slowly
Rule #4 - Chew Food Very
Well
Rule #5 - Avoid Meal Skipping
Eat meals frequently, at least 3-4 times daily. Limit food intake to
2 ozs for the first few months, after which meal size can be
increased to a maximum of 3 ozs. Protein supplements should be taken
in addition to your meals, 2-3 ozs after surgery and at about 3
months out can be increased to 4 0zs (this will also allow you not
to get hungry during the day).
Eating three meals a day prevents the body from going into
"starvation mode" and saving the food as fat (for a rainy day)
instead of breaking it down.
Do not skip breakfast as this is the most important meal of the day
and provides you with the energy to fuel your day, as well as aids
in kicking in your metabolism.
Rule #6 - Drink Plenty of
Water
Stay hydrated by drinking as much water and fluids as possible.
15-30 minutes before your meal, drink as much water as possible.
Wait 11/2 - 2 hours after each meal before taking fluids. DO NOT
DRINK AND EAT MEALS AT THE SAME TIME.
Rule #7 - Make Healthy Food
Choices
Healthy and wise food choices are essential to sustained weight
loss. Avoid carbonated beverages or soda, sweets, foods high in fat
and carbohydrates to avoid excess calories which will cause
stretching of the pouch and eventual weight gain. The rule of thumb
is to eat protein first, then vegetables and finally carbohydrates.
Avoid rice, pasta, granola, bread, refined flours etc as these foods
will swell in time and overload the pouch.
Rule #8 - Take your
Vitamins
It is essential to continue taking your vitamins for the rest of
your life following surgery to avoid vitamin and mineral
deficiencies. These are vitamin B12, calcium citrate and
multivitamins. Patients who are anemic or have low iron will require
iron supplementation.
Rule #9 - Avoid the
"Honeymoon Syndrome"
The lack of hunger and quick weight loss following bypass surgery
gives patients a false sense of security into believing that they
will lose weight regardless of whether they exercise or not, or eat
snacks and high caloric foods because their stomach has been reduced
and they only need to eat less of the same.
Note: This kind of behavior will only lead to trouble. Firstly, even
though you are losing weight, it will not be as much as you could
lose by following the protocol of exercise and healthy eating.
Secondly, after six months out it does get harder to lose weight and
you will find yourself hitting plateaus sooner than if you followed
the protocol.
Remember the most weight is lost during the first six months
provided you stick to the given protocol. If you could have done
this alone, you will not have had gastric bypass so stick to what is
taught you for long term success.
Rule #10 - EXERCISE!
EXERCISE! EXERCISE!
The key to holistic wellness is nutrition and exercise regardless of
whether you have had gastric bypass or not. By incorporating an
exercise regimen, you are ensuring continued and sustained weight
loss, increased metabolism and psychological well being (exercise is
a natural antidepressant). Energy in = energy out. You have to
balance your caloric intake with exercise. The more you consume, the
more exercise is required to burn off the calories.
Rule #11 - Attend Support
Groups
Support group attendance is not only necessary preoperatively but
essential to your post operative success. Attending support groups
will enable you to receive answers to any questions or concerns that
you may have, as well as provide you with invaluable information
needed for the lifestyle and behavioral changes that are necessary
to your success. Information on diets, vitamin and protein
supplementation, as well as current studies and market trends
pertinent to the gastric bypass are provided to you in this forum.
You also receive reinforcement and encouragement from your "peers"
who know and understand your struggles, and who are there to support
you on your journey. Your surgeon frequently attends these support
group meetings to allow you the opportunity and convenience to speak
with him or ask him questions outside of an office visit.
LOVE YOUR POUCH AND TAKE
CARE OF IT AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.
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