1. What does “bariatric” mean?
Bariatric means “weight loss”. Bariatric surgery is weight loss surgery.

2. What is the difference between the diet for gastric bypass patients and those who have lap banding?
The diets following bariatric surgery are the same except for the need for additional vitamins for those who have gastric bypass.

3. What will my diet be like after surgery?
After progressing through liquid and soft stages, by 1 month after surgery your diet should consist of small portions of lean protein (fish, seafood, poultry, meat, eggs, cheese, legumes, soy foods), vegetables, whole grains, fruits, low fat dairy, and healthy fats. You will be advised to consume at least 64 oz of allowed fluids, approximately 60 grams of protein, and recommended vitamin/mineral supplements.

4. How much should I be eating after surgery?

• At one week post-op, you should have 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons of soft/moist high protein food per meal, 3 times per day.
• By approximately one-month post-op, gastric bypass patients may tolerate 3-4 ounces of food per meal (protein vegetables) whereas lap band patients may consume up to 6 ounces per meal since they have not yet had the band tightened.
• By two months post-op, gastric bypass patients, and lap band patients after their first adjustment, should continue to limit meal volume to 4 ounces per meal.

5. What if I am still hungry after 4 ounces of food?
Remember: the restrictive component of the surgery is designed to limit the amount you are eating. You will need to find a new association with being ‘full’. We want you to be satisfied after eating and recognize that you may have a history of eating past fullness. After bariatric surgery, a consequence of over-eating is vomiting. You are encouraged to stop sooner rather than later!

6. How many calories will I be taking in after surgery?
By two months after surgery, you should be consuming approximately 800–1,200 calories per day. This amount depends on your body size and sex with larger individuals and men consuming the higher ranges. As weight loss and physical activity increase, you are encouraged to monitor your calorie intake (calorie counting or using online sites). This will provide you with individualized guidelines for daily calorie intake and will be important information when you approach a weight maintenance range.

7. Will I need vitamin/mineral supplements for life?
Yes, because gastric bypass and lap band surgeries are restrictive procedures, you will not be able to eat enough food to meet your vitamin needs. Therefore, vitamin and mineral supplements will need to be taken with food after surgery. In addition, gastric bypass also restricts absorption of food nutrients so supplements will need to be taken to minimize the chance of nutrient deficiencies.

8. What are the recommendations about drinking liquids with meals?
You are instructed to wait 30 minutes after a meal before drinking liquids so the pouch contents will empty slowly. This is critical to your outcome! By drinking with a meal, you will ‘liquefy’ the food in your pouch and it will empty quicker. For the best outcome, the pouch must empty slowly so you will be more satisfied.

9. What are common food problems after gastric bypass surgery?
It is common to have digestive problems with the following foods after weight loss surgery: dry meat/poultry, soft bread/rolls, rice/pasta, fibrous vegetables, peels/membranes of fresh fruit, sweets and fats. By using moist-heat cooking for protein foods, toasting bread and avoiding problematic foods, food intolerance can be minimized. Alcohol should be avoided due to rapid absorption following surgery.

10. Can I eat in restaurants with my family after bariatric surgery?
YES! You will be instructed on food selection when eating out, including the use of appetizers, sharing entrees, child-portions, asking for take-out containers, and using restaurant card for reduced prices.

11. Can’t I just follow the weight loss surgery diet of small portions and avoiding problem foods, and lose weight without having surgery?
We suspect that you have tried restrictive diets in the past, with only short-term success. Successful weight loss means that you have changed eating and activity patterns and substituted healthier habits that you can follow the rest of your life. Fad diets end when hunger and impulse control can no longer be ignored. Bariatric surgery is designed to allow you to feel full with a smaller amount of food.

12. I am concerned about hair loss if I have bariatric surgery. Why does this happen?
Hair loss is a side effect for some but not all patients following weight loss surgery. You will be advised to consume at least 60 grams of protein per day to provide adequate nutrition for healing. If protein intake is inadequate, body protein in the form of muscle can break down, and hair loss can occur as a side effect of protein malnutrition. However, even for those individuals who do consume the recommended amount of protein, it is possible that hair can thin and/or fall out. This is likely a genetic factor and these individuals already have thinning hair. Special hair products and vitamin supplements may be used to limit hair loss with varying degrees of success. By a year post-op, hair re-growth will be noticeable and most hair problems are resolved.