Bariatric surgery is an important step toward long-term weight loss and better overall health. To maintain results, many factors are involved, and one of them is nutritional needs via a structured nutrition plan to avoid deficiencies and support healthy weight loss.
A simple daily checklist can help you stay consistent, and this article has all the important information about the checklist you should know.
1. Communication with the dietitian
Did you talk to your dietitian?
In the first point on our checklist, we have added consultation with the dietitian.
After bariatric surgery, your diet and nutritional needs change completely. There is a diet pattern you need to follow, like:
-
Diet after surgery in the hospital
-
Diet for the First Two Weeks Post-Surgery,
-
Diet for 2-4 weeks, 2 months, 6 months and beyond
Typical bariatric diet stages are usually described as:
-
clear liquids like broth, unsweetened juice, decaffeinated tea or coffee
-
full liquids like milk, water, juice
-
pureed foods like soft fruits and cooked vegetables.
-
soft foods like egg and cottage cheese
-
regular diet
This information is best conveyed by a dietitian, so we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider and dietitian regularly.
2. Daily Bariatric Nutrition Checklist
Here are some dietary tips after bariatric surgery, sourced from Mayo Clinic.
-
Drink 64 ounces of fluid daily
-
You may sip liquids between meals, but not with meals.
-
Wait about 30 minutes after a meal to drink.
-
Avoid drinking 30 minutes before a meal.
-
Eat balanced meals with small portions.
-
Always prioritise a diet low in calories, fat, and added sugars.
-
Limit caffeine
-
Bariatric patients should eat slowly, take small bites, and chew food thoroughly to prevent discomfort and improve digestion.
3. Daily and simple supplement routine
Bariatric surgery has benefits, but it can lead to deficiencies in macronutrients and micronutrients due to reduced intake, changes in eating patterns, food intolerance, gastrointestinal symptoms, and malabsorption.
After bariatric surgery, your healthcare provider may recommend a once-daily specialised bariatric multivitamin with iron to support your body’s increased nutrient demands. It is relatively simple to stick to it because you have to take one pill daily instead of taking multiple pills.
In the Journal of Nutritional Science, a study entitled “Patient adherence to multivitamin supplementation after bariatric surgery: a narrative review” was published online by Cambridge University Press in 2020. The study mentions, “long-term adherence of bariatric patients to multivitamin supplement intake is poor. It also mentioned that a multivitamin supplement regimen has a major impact on patient adherence, because taking several pills every day is a problem. One may be forgetful in taking the supplement daily, leading to missed doses, while difficulty swallowing is another barrier to adherence.
You can take the supplement with food earlier in the day
Your doctor will tell you if you need additional supplements
You need to take the calcium in two to three divided doses throughout the day for better absorption. Calcium citrate is the preferred form of calcium.
Vitamin D intake is typically 800–1,000 IU daily, but your healthcare provider may adjust the dose based on blood test results.
You may choose a combination supplement, as Vitamin D should be taken with a calcium supplement.
4. Set reminders
Make it a habit to set reminders to take supplements on time to avoid missed doses, as this is one of the most commonly reported barriers to multivitamin adherence after bariatric surgery.
You may use pill organisers or phone alarms or reminder apps to help maintain consistent supplement intake.
5. Maintain a daily diary
To maintain a daily record of food portions, calorie and protein intake, we encourage you to keep a diary.
You need to attend routine investigations and consultations on time, so maintaining a diary and noting all these important appointments may help simplify your timely follow-up experience.
You should also maintain a separate file and collect all your routine lab investigations in one place.
6. Discuss your problems with your healthcare provider
A doctor has solutions to all your problems.
If a once daily bariatric multivitamin prescribed to you has an unpleasant taste, odour, or pill size and produces gastrointestinal symptoms, then you should discuss this with your healthcare provider as these factors may discourage you from consistent supplement use. You should consult your bariatric care team about alternative formulations.
7. Don’t let your decisions cause harm in the long run
Specialised bariatric multivitamins are usually required for life. So always stick to this recommendation.
Do not switch to standard multivitamins, as they lack the nutrient profile to support your unique, increased health needs.
There are people who suffer from nutrient deficiencies despite taking prescribed multivitamins. So you are already at risk, and switching to any other standard multivitamin further exacerbates nutrient deficiencies.
Final words
What's next after bariatric surgery?
After bariatric surgery, having a clear plan and daily checklist can help you stay on track.
This article has important practical information for those who have undergone bariatric surgery. The information is presented as a checklist to help you set your priorities.
If you experience difficulties with your diet or supplements, discuss them with your healthcare provider.
