Weight Loss Surgery Program 972-981-3861     Dieticians 972-981-8444

 

 

Nutrition and Making an Appointment with the Dietitian

 

Prior to bariatric surgery it is recommended that you meet with a dietitian who will advise you on which vitamins and supplements that you will need to take post-operatively. It is helpful to purchase certain items ahead of your bariatric weight loss surgery date and a dietitian will help guide you with what items to purchase.  An appointment with the dietitian after surgery is helpful to make sure dietary guidelines are being met and that protein and vitamin and mineral intake is adequate.  You can make an appointment with a dietitian at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano by calling 972-981-8444. 

 

Support/Nutrition Classes

The clinical staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, teach a class on the first and third Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m.  This class is open for pre-operative and post-operative patients. 

 

The following are the dates for 2011:

 

January 6 and 20                   May 5 and 19               September 1 and 15

February 3 and 17                 June 2 and 16              October 6 and 20

March 3 and 17                      July 7 and 21               November 3 and 17

April 7 and 21                         August 4 and 18          December 1 and 15

 

All classes are located in the Magnolia room of Tower C- Lower Level.

 

Changes in Diet and Habit

 

After bariatric surgery, you will be on a clear liquid diet and will start to follow a full-liquid diet on day 4 after surgery.  You will be on full liquids for the first 6 weeks following surgery.  You will advance to a diet of chopped and diced foods at 6 weeks after surgery and a diet of solid foods at 13 weeks after surgery.  Patients must reduce meal size and avoid overeating or drinking excessive fluids.  Snacking throughout the day and consuming high calorie liquids should be avoided.  Compliance with post-operative dietary guidelines is very important.

 

 

Successful Eating Habits

 

Bariatric procedures restrict your stomach capacity significantly, so that even after consuming small portions of food you feel full and continue to feel satisfied for a longer period of time.  It is important that you stop eating once you first notice a sensation of fullness or abdominal pressure as overeating can trigger pain, nausea and even vomiting.  The best way to feel satisfied is to eat your meals very slowly, take small bites and chew each bite thoroughly.  Make sure you eat your protein foods first as they will help you to feel full sooner.

 

You will need to focus on changing your eating habits immediately after having surgery if you want to enjoy the benefits of rapid weight loss.  The aim of the dietary guidelines following surgery is for patients to be able to eat three small, well-balance meals each day.  You’re not going to be eating much, so what you eat needs to be high quality and packed with nutrients—the biggest nutritional bang for the calories.  Your long-term diet will be low in fat and sugar and high in protein.