Eating and drinking after the operationWithout a doubt your surgeon and/or your dietician will discuss your new eating pattern with you in detail. You will need to see these specialists for detailed instructions. They can gradually familiarize you with and help you to get used to your changed lifestyle and eating habits.It Is extremely important to follow the instructions regarding eating and drinking just after the operation. Especially in the early weeks it is important not to stretch the "small" stomach above the band unnecessarily. The new gastric structure must be given a chance to adjust to the situation. This may take up to a month or more. GeneralLiquid will pass through the reduced stomach quickly, so this will not make you feel full so soon. You will need to be much more careful about eating, as too much food or bits of food that are too big can block the narrowed opening. This is an aggravating complication which is, however, easy to prevent by chewing your food well and eating small quantities at a time. Try to eat three small meals a day. Be careful to ensure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. A healthy meal consists of vegetables, meat, bread and/or dairy products. Your surgeon and/or dietician will be able to help you with this. |
The first few days after the operationImmediately after the operation you can have an occasional sip of water or suck on an ice cube. It is not advisable to drink any more than this. In any case it is not necessary, as you will have a liquid infusion to keep your fluid balance at the right level. The next day you can increase your fluid intake a little, provided you only do this by a small quantity at a time. Don't drink only water, but choose a liquid that contains an adequate number of calories as well. To prevent nausea and vomiting, don't drink too much.The first four weeksRecommended drinks and very soft foods for the first four weeks after the operation:
- Clear broth or soup - not thick soup, and not containing vegetables or meat. In the first four weeks after the operation, you will be able to eat foodstuffs (as advised by the dietician) which you may not be allowed to eat later on, when you have completely recovered, such as the food and drinks mentioned above. The reason for this is that they contain too many calories, for example, and are thus not appropriate in a new (slimming) diet. But in the first four to six weeks after the operation you are not yet starting to slim but allowing your new stomach to adjust. As recommended by your surgeon and/or dietician you will gradually progress to solid food. |