Bariatric Surgery Requirements

Bariatric surgery needs and expectations of patients vary from person to person. Before and after the operation, patients should be informed in detail about all the processes they will experience. The most important thing to know in bariatric surgery is the diet and diet program. It is very important for the success of the operation that the patients comply with the diet program.

What Awaits The Patient After Bariatric Surgery?

After obesity surgery, you need to completely change your diet and lifestyle. You should pay attention to your lifelong diet and pay attention to a healthy and balanced diet. It is very important to pay attention to your diet in order to lose weight and not gain weight again. Immediately after the operation, a liquid diet is applied, followed by a puree diet, and in the last stage, a transition to solid nutrition is made. You need to be patient in this process.

Bariatric Surgery Requirements; Immediately after the operation, nausea and vomiting are experienced both due to the effect of anesthesia and the procedure applied to the stomach, this situation passes over time. In some obesity methods, diarrhea problem is experienced for a while. Since obesity surgeries are performed closed, there are no large wounds and stitches, but since the operation is applied to the stomach size, mild pain may be experienced in the abdomen.

Why Diet Is Done Before Bariatric Surgery?

A special diet is required for the patient 3 weeks before the bariatric surgery. The purpose of this diet is to prepare the patient for surgery, to shorten the recovery period, to see the inside of the abdomen more clearly thanks to fat loss, and to adapt the patient to the eating habits that will change after the operation. Thanks to the diet applied before the operation, there will be a reduction in the size of the liver, so the doctor can see the inside of the abdomen more easily and intervene in the stomach more easily.

What Should I Pay Attention To In Nutrition After Bariatric Surgery?

After obesity surgery, it is very important to completely change your old eating habits and adapt to the new diet. The success of obesity surgery depends not only on the experience of the doctor, but also on the patient’s adaptation to the diet. After the operation, you should consider all the warnings of your doctor and dietitian.

What Is The Diet Program Before Bariatric Surgery?

The more attention you pay to your diet before bariatric surgery, the more successful the operation will be. What you need to pay attention to in this process;

• Avoid excessive food consumption,
• Reduce your portions and eat slowly,
• Consume low-carbohydrate foods,
• Avoid saturated fats,
• Do not consume sugary foods and drinks,
• Try to eat protein-based diet,
• Pay attention to liquid nutrition close to the day of operation and only liquid nutrition for the last 2 days.

What Is The Diet Program After Obesity Surgery?

Your surgeon and dietitian determine the diet program to be applied after obesity surgery. It is very important that you follow this diet program in order for bariatric surgery to be successful. Diet and nutrition stages after obesity surgery;

Stage 1: Liquid Diet

After bariatric surgery, patients are fed with liquids. Since the stomach volume and absorption change, it is necessary to consume easily digestible foods that will not weigh on the stomach. Liquid foods are the most suitable foods for this. After the operation, skimmed milk, broth-free soups, decaffeinated coffee, tea, unsweetened natural fruit juice are among the foods consumed. In the next stage, which fluids to be taken are gradually changed by the dietitian.

Stage 2: Puree Diet

The period when liquid foods are reduced and gradually more viscous foods are consumed is called the puree diet phase. The foods consumed at this stage are mashed and eaten. In this way, it is easier to chew and does not weigh on the stomach. Spices should not be used in foods consumed at this stage, as the spices used may harm the stomach. Foods should be consumed slowly and you should be careful not to tire the stomach.

During the puree diet, fruits such as seedless bananas, peaches, apricots, pears, pineapples and melons can be consumed by mashing them. Vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, beans, and spinach can also be mashed and added to the diet list.

Stage 3: Soft Diet

At this stage, the patient is recommended to consume soft foods that can be easily chewed. You should consume food slowly and by chewing a lot. The soft diet phase is passed on the 5th week and lasts for an average of 3 weeks. A daily consumption of 60 grams of protein is provided. Some of the foods you can consume during the soft diet phase are;

• Ground beef,
• Meat and chicken broth,
• Minced chicken meat,
• Egg,
• Fat-free cheese,

Stage 4: Standard Diet

The last nutritional stage after bariatric surgery is the transition to a standard diet. This stage usually starts at the 9th week and protein-rich nutrition is important. At this stage, the patient consumes an average of 60-90 grams of protein. es is recommended. Up to this stage, the additional products used for protein supplementation are reduced over time and the protein source foods are tried to be taken. In this process, the patient continues to pay attention to fluid consumption before and after meals. Soft foods that are easy to consume and digest are preferred, and after an average of 3 months, the diet list is changed to ensure the consumption of different food groups.

What Should Be Considered In Nutrition After Bariatric Surgery?

Paying attention to your diet after bariatric surgery directly affects the success of the operation. The things to be considered after the operation are;

• More main and snack meals should be included in your nutrition program. Portions should be reduced and you should eat slowly.
• Food should be chewed very well and swallowed when it becomes almost liquid.
• Regular exercise and sports should be done and you should try to act in every area of your life,
• Water should not be consumed 15 minutes before and 30 minutes after meals.
• Solid and liquid food should not be consumed together in main and snack meals.
• Water should be drunk in sip immediately after the operation. Rapid fluid intake can cause the gastric volume to expand. At first, 1 liter of water should be consumed and the amount of water should be increased over time with the approval of the doctor.
• Controls made in certain months after the operation should not be interrupted.
• Protein-rich foods should be included in the diet applied before and after the surgery.
• Vitamins and minerals, which are deficient in the body due to absorption-restricting surgeries, should be taken from the outside as additional supplements.

How Much Weight Is Lost After Bariatric Surgery?

The weight lost after obesity operations varies from person to person. The method of operation also affects the amount of weight lost. Gastric bypass patients lose 60-80% of weight on average, while patients with sleeve gastrectomy experience 50-70% of weight loss.

Is It Not Enjoyable To Eat After Bariatric Surgery?

Obesity surgery is an operation that restricts the amount of food consumed and does not prevent the patient’s taste. Even if you eat less after the operation, you will continue to enjoy taste and pleasure.

Is There An Age Limit For Bariatric Surgery?

Generally, the legal age limit for surgical operations is 18. However, in some special cases, obesity surgery can be performed for young patients at the age of 15-16 with family approval. In bariatric surgery, the upper age limit is usually 65 years. Surgical operations can also be performed on 70-year-old patients who are in good health.

How Long Do I Need To Stay In The Hospital For The Surgery?

The length of stay in hospital after bariatric surgery varies according to the method applied. After sleeve gastrectomy, usually 1-2 nights stay and the patient is discharged. After gastric bypass operations, it is necessary to stay in the hospital for 2-4 days.

When To Return To Work After Bariatric Surgery?

The exact timing of this period varies from person to person and varies according to the method applied. Generally, patients can return to work 2-3 weeks after the operation.

Do I Need To Take Additional Vitamins And Minerals After Bariatric Surgery?

After the operations that restrict absorption and reduce the stomach volume, the intake of certain vitamins and minerals decreases and there is a deficiency in the body. Substances such as B12, iron, zinc, which are required after the operation, must be completed incompletely by using additional supplements.

When Should I Get Pregnant After Obesity Surgery?

Excess weight prevents pregnancy in women. Thanks to the weight lost after obesity surgery, hormones are balanced and it is easier to get pregnant. However, it takes between 12 and 18 months to get the clear results of bariatric surgeries. Experts advise patients not to become pregnant for at least 2 years. After this period is completed, you can get pregnant with the approval of your doctor.

How Does Diet Change After Surgery?

After bariatric surgery, a diet is applied according to certain stages. At first, the patient starts to eat liquid, then mash, soft foods and gradually switch to solid nutrition. 3 months after the operation, changes are made in the diet list, which is applied with a dietitian. The diet applied is determined individually.

How Effective Is Bariatric Surgery?

Obesity surgery is a very effective method for weight loss and treatment of weight-related diseases. According to studies, people who have gastric surgery have a lower risk of developing obesity-related cancer than those who do not. While the person loses 7-10% of the excess weight by diet and sports with his own effort, this rate is around 30% with stomach surgeries.

Some cases where bariatric surgery is effective are;

• Type II diabetes due to excess weight is treated and approximately 75% of patients recover.
• Death rate due to heart disease decreases by 56%,
• The death rate due to cancer decreases by 60%,
• Diabetes-related deaths 92% reduction is knitted,
• Sleep apnea problem ends,
• After the operation, 40% to 75% of the body weight is lost,

When To Start Sports After Bariatric Surgery?

When the patient is discharged after obesity surgery, he/she can take light-paced walks. You can walk slowly for 30-40 minutes after the operation. Generally, 1 month after the operation, you can do effective activities that work the whole body, such as swimming. In the first place, you should avoid doing heavy sports. You should allow time for the treated stomach and intestines to heal. You should prefer lighter exercises such as yoga and pilates. You can start doing heavy sports slowly 2 months after bariatric surgery. During this process, you should choose exercises that will support muscle development and increase your fitness. You should consult your doctor and get approval before each move you will perform. You should take care to do sports at the weight and time recommended by your surgeon and dietitian.

Does Hair Fall Out After Bariatric Surgery?

Hair loss is not seen among the side effects seen in bariatric surgery. However, thanks to obesity surgery, since the fat tissue decreases, the fat tissue under the scalp will also decrease, so the hair follicles remain outside and begin to weaken. Hair loss may occur in weakened hair. In order to prevent hair loss due to weight loss, hair care should be done and it is recommended to use supportive supplements such as biotin, selenium, zinc, copper, folic acid.