Weight-loss surgeries are just the first step; the rest is all about following a healthy diet and exercise.
Change starts with the patient, as weight loss surgeries are a major factor for achieving the ideal weight; however, the patient should abide by the diet specified for each surgery type. The functional change in the digestive system requires simple foods at first, allowing the punctures to heal over time.
During the first year, the surgery is enough for weight loss, and the patient does not have to put much effort as long as he/she follows instructions.
Throughout the second year, the patient’s responsibility doubles. By the end of the third year, and after the stomach and intestines’ functions settle, the patient should maintain healthy habits to keep his/her weight from increasing.
Mainly, weight loss depends on the body mass index (BMI) before surgery, as well as committing to a healthy lifestyle. Most patients need to adhere to vitamin and mineral supplementation during the first months, and in some cases, it should last a lifetime.
Undergoing weight-loss surgeries is just the first step into losing weight. It is rather the means than the way. What really matters is following a healthy diet that would help patients ease back into eating solid foods.
The diet must be rich in protein and low on calories; therefore, patients are required to adhere to life-long vitamin and mineral supplementation.
In all stages, the patient must drink at least 2 liters of water and liquids regularly to avoid dehydration (symptoms: headache, dizziness, laziness, dark urine).
If the patient feels satiety, he/she should divide the meal into 2 parts, 1 each half an hour to an hour. The patient should not overeat.
The patient should eat slowly while sitting down.
The patient should follow the diet plan on time and not skip any of the meals.
The patient should get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
The patient should not sleep right after meals.
The patient should exercise regularly.
The patient should make sure to have a balanced diet even after regaining his/her health.
The patient should have 5 portions of fruits and vegetables per day.
The patient should remove any fats off meat and chicken before cooking.
The patient should not fry foods; instead, boil, grill, or steam.
The patient is recommended to use cooking spray oil to avoid any excess oil intake.
Fried foods, junk food, processed meats, ghee, butter, chips, sweets, desserts, soft or energy drinks, nuts, and doughnuts.
Gum and lollipops to avoid swallowing air.
1st week: Walk for ½-2 hours a day
2nd week: Jog-fast walk
3rd week: Swim every day for 30 minutes in addition to the previous
8th week: Cardio and Swedish exercises, in addition to the previous
12th week: Body building, in addition to the previous
*Warning: The patient should drink enough unsweetened liquids while exercising.
Duration: 6th and 7th weeks post-op
Examples:
Notes:
Sample Menu:
| Breakfast | 2 spoons of low-fat yogurt or cheese, or 2 boiled egg whites ½ glass of low-fat yogurt or milk Cucumber, tomato, or lettuce slices, or 3 spoons of wheat/oatmeal cereal |
| Snack | ½ glass of supplements mixed with skimmed milk or ½ glass of low-fat yogurt ½ glass of water 30 minutes later ½ glass of water 30 minutes after |
| Lunch | ½ cup of meat/chicken/fish with gravy 1 cup of salad |
| Snack | ½ glass of supplements mixed with skimmed milk or water ½ glass of low-fat yogurt |
| Dinner | 30 g of grilled fish/chicken/meat ½ cup of boiled and cut vegetable ½ cup of mashed potato |
| Snack | ½ glass of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt |
Duration: 4th and 5th weeks post-op
Examples:
Notes:
Sample Menu:
| Breakfast | 2 spoons of low-fat yogurt or cheese ½ glass of low-fat yogurt or milk, or a cup of unsweetened tea 3 spoons of cereal or oatmeal mixed with skimmed milk or tea |
| Snack | ½ glass of supplements mixed with skimmed milk or ½ glass of low-fat yogurt ½ glass of water 30 minutes later ½ glass of water 30 minutes after |
| Lunch | ½ cup of vegetable puree soup ¼ glass of skimmed yogurt ¼ cup of pureed meat/chicken/fish with vegetables and soup |
| Snack | ½ glass of supplements mixed with skimmed milk or water ½ glass of low-fat yogurt |
| Dinner | 1 cup of pureed meat/chicken/fish with vegetables and soup ½ cup of vegetable puree (carrot, zucchini), medium mashed banana, or applesauce |
| Snack | ½ glass of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt |
Duration: 1st week post-op
Examples:
Notes:
Sample Menu:
| Breakfast | 1 glass of natural fruit juice |
| Snack | ½ glass of natural fruit juice or Jell-O |
| Lunch | 1 glass of clear chicken broth |
| Snack | ½ glass of natural fruit juice ½ cup of unsweetened green tea after 30 minutes |
| Dinner | 1 glass of clear chicken broth |
Duration: 2nd and 3rd weeks post-op
Examples:
Notes:
Sample Menu:
| Breakfast | ½ glass of protein supplements (starting 8th day post-op)
½ glass of water 30 minutes later ½ glass of water 30 minutes after |
| Snack | 1 glass of natural fruit juice |
| Lunch | ½ cup of pureed vegetables/oatmeal/lentil soup |
| Snack | ½ glass of low-fat yogurt/skimmed milk/soy milk |
| Dinner | ½ cup of vegetable soup |
| Snack | ½ glass of protein supplements (starting 8th day post-op) |
Duration: 8th week post-op
Examples:
Notes:
Sample Menu:
| Breakfast | 2 spoons of low-fat yogurt or cheese 2 spoons of Hummus or 2 boiled egg whites ½ glass of low-fat yogurt or milk |
| Snack | 1 glass of low-fat milk 1 glass of water or cup of unsweetened green tea |
| Lunch | 30 g of chicken/fish/meat 1 cup of vegetables (carrots, zucchinis, green beans) ½ cup of legumes or lentil soup |
| Snack | 1 glass of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt + medium fruit 1 glass of water |
| Dinner | 30 g of grilled fish/chicken/meat 1 cup of steamed vegetables or cucumber and lettuce salad ½ cup of fruits (banana, pear, apple) |
| Snack | Grated fruits (apple, pear) or applesauce |
