When someone makes the commitment to change their eating habits after undergoing Bariatric surgery, it often times is quite the experience. This is because your stomach size has drastically changed, with the average patient having their stomach the size of a walnut. With such a change in size it is no wonder why you have to learn to eat differently. You will become full much quicker, but if you still continue to eat unhealthy foods there is a good chance that even after surgery you will not loose weight, some patients even gain more then prior to the surgery. Bariatric surgery is a lifelong commitment which has to be dealt with by lifestyle changes which includes how you eat, and what you eat.

Fortunately most patients meet with a dietitian who assists in making an individual diet plan as well as offering the support needed to stay on the right path of changing old eating habits. As soon as the surgery is completed, the patient automatically will change to a liquid diet which can last for a few months. The process starts with the patient strictly on liquids and then slowly being introduced to a pureed diet. Eventually the pureed diet will change to a diet of soft foods. Such a change in diet can be quite a shock to patients who used to eat whatever they pleased. This is a reason it is important to visit a dietitian because they will also be able to help the patient make the right food choices. There are some foods that should be avoided altogether, such as those which contain high levels of sugar. It is also important to take daily vitamin supplements, since the new diet will not contain the recommended daily nutrients needed to avoid deficiency.

Once the individual is on a soft food diet they will need to pay close attention to how they even chew their foods. The foods need to be chewed around 30 times each before being swallowed so that they are digested properly. There is no need to rush, since it is important to eat slowly. Taking small bites at a time also helps. If the individual eats too fast, Dumping Syndrome may occur with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, fainting, and sweating. Once the feeling of fullness occurs, the individual should stop eating. Continuing to eat past fullness can lead to complications after the surgery.

In order to have a positive outcome from Bariatric surgery the patient needs to fully cooperate with changing their diet. No longer will he or she be able to eat a greasy hamburger from the local food chain. This decision has to be made before the surgery because if old eating habits continue after the surgery the patient will not get the full benefits of the procedure and may become disappointed with the results.

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