Nutritional Component

Nutritional Component The gastric bypass surgery provides a lifelong tool for dealing with clinically severe obesity. Food choices and lifestyle behaviors will require special attention to make the most out of the surgery.

After surgery, the new "stomach" will be much smaller than previously, about the size of a small egg. The new pouch will act as a reservoir much the same way the stomach did before the surgery. Because of it's reduced size, the amount of food eaten at any one time will be limited. Adequate fluid intake will be essential. Drinking fluids hourly will be recommended.

Nutritional counseling and guidance is a vital component of our program. Missouri Bariatric Services will have a Registered Dietitian available for education and guidance both before and after surgery. Nutritional guidelines will be provided as part of the patient pre-op class. Following the guidelines is critical for success with surgical management of clinically severe obesity.

To assist you with changes associated with the surgery, information will be provided to include:

Principles of "new" eating patterns
Appropriate and healthy food choices
Behavior modification
Guidelines for eating out
Healthful shopping and cooking tips

Since the new stomach is small, the body will not receive all the vitamins and minerals it needs from the foods eaten. Therefore, lifetime vitamin and mineral supplementation is required to prevent nutritional deficiencies:

Multiple vitamin/mineral supplement: 1 chewable tablet twice a day for the first 8 weeks
One to two sublingual tablet per week (under tongue)
Calcium: Begins 3 months after surgery
Iron: Some patients may require additional iron

In addition, each meal must include a good source of protein for adequate wound healing and maintenance of muscle mass. An important rule to remember is protein first at each meal.