Will My Appetite Increase After Gastric Bypass Since My Intake Is Lower?

Immediately after having obesity surgery, your remaining pouch holds approximately two tablespoons of food, and sometimes less. Even though you may not feel full, technically you are full and you must avoid eating past this point. As time passes after your gastric bypass, you will become increasingly hungrier, and eventually you will be able to eat more, but it is important to carefully measure out your food intake and avoid overeating.

Do Not Overeat

A good way to refrain from overeating would be to question your eating style.

* How big are your bites?

* Did you chew enough to properly break down your food?

* Does it take you long enough to eat? (It must take you about 25 minutes or longer.)

* Did you stop eating once you felt satisfied?

You must answer yes to all these questions, as this will come a long way in preventing complications after a gastric bypass procedure.

Your Diet

Here are some things you should be eating after having an obesity surgery:

* Diluted juice and sugar-free Jello

* Water and clear soup

* Full liquids: soy or whey protein powder added to milk, corn soup (low-fat)

* Pureed food immediately after the surgery

* Soft foods such as fish, ground meat, chili, tofu, refried beans, peanut butter, eggs

* Cooked or canned fruits and vegetables

An individual should introduce pureed foods first after gastric bypass surgery, then a week later add soft solid foods to their diet. Add one new food at a time and make sure the foods you add are high in protein.

Food and Drink Guidelines

* Do not eat fast: Eating slowly is important because the opening of your stomach will be very small after the weight loss surgery. Ideally, it should take you about 30 minutes to finish your meal. You must stop eating once you have reached the pre-determined amount of food or when you start to feel full after half an hour. An extra single bite can make you feel nauseous, sleepy or cause discomfort. One way to pace yourself while eating is to lay the utensils on the table between bites, which also allows you to assess your hunger. The first step in reaching your goal is gastric bypass surgery, and the rest is under your control.

* Chew Thoroughly: Obesity surgery can often leave a person feeling like an infant again with the way they must eat soon after. Food should be chewed at least 25 times per bite, or until it has the consistency of applesauce. Keep in mind how small that opening to the stomach is now. Soon after obesity surgery, trying to swallow food that hasn’t been chewed well will block this pouch and cause nausea, pain and vomiting.

* Change where you eat: Do not eat food in front of the TV because it might distract you from chewing food thoroughly.

Dallas obesity surgery can help you achieve successful weight loss after all conventional means such as diet and exercise have failed. Do you qualify for Dallas obesity surgery? Talk to an experienced obesity surgeon to find out.