Is a Ketogenic Diet Safe after Bariatric Surgery?
Many people think of their weight as it pertains to their appearance. But the cosmetic impact of weight shouldn’t be a concern. The real concern is how weight affects a person’s overall health. When a person is significantly overweight, or obese, the health of the body can suffer. Obese individuals are at a higher risk for a number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Bariatric surgery alters the size of the stomach, as well as its ability to absorb nutrients. This procedure can be extremely effective in helping patients lose significant amounts of weight. The weight loss that occurs after bariatric surgery can improve a patient’s health and greatly reduce the risk of a number of diseases.
However, as effective as bariatric surgery is, the patient will need to commit to drastic lifestyle changes. One of the biggest changes a patient must undertake is altering the diet. Our weight loss surgery experts discuss proper nutrition following bariatric surgery and whether a ketogenic diet is right for our Tijuana, MX patients.
Proper Nutrition after Bariatric Surgery
Following gastric bypass surgery, a person will be extremely limited in what he or she can eat. For the first week after surgery, a patient will need to adhere to a liquid diet. This will be followed by a transition to soft foods, and, finally, progression back to solid foods. However, even once a patient is eating solid foods again, he or she will be eating very differently than before surgery. The primary goals of a post-bariatric surgery diet include the following:
- Ensuring the body receives proper nutrition
- Aiding weight loss and avoiding weight gain
- Avoiding complications of bariatric surgery, such as “dumping syndrome,” stomach pain, and illness
- Getting the body used to smaller meals that can be easily digested
Our team will provide guidance throughout recovery from gastric bypass surgery to ensure patients are eating a diet that is rich in nutrients and easy the altered digestive system.
What Is a Ketogenic Diet?
A ketogenic diet is one that provides a high amount of healthy fats, adequate amounts of protein, and minimal carbs. The goal of this diet is to train the body to burn off fat, rather than carbohydrates. A ketogenic diet can stimulate weight loss and keep excess weight off the body. A typical ketogenic diet is high in fish, eggs, meat, and nuts.
Is a Ketogenic Diet Appropriate after Gastric Bypass?
It is important that patients recovering from gastric bypass surgery take in a well-balanced diet that is rich in nutrients. The ketogenic diet is high in fats, which can be difficult to absorb following bariatric surgery. Additionally, unhealthy fats can lead to stomach problems for bariatric surgery patients, including gas, nausea, and diarrhea. For these reasons, a ketogenic diet may not be the best choice for a patient recovering from bariatric surgery. Patients who are considering a ketogenic diet after bariatric surgery should discuss their options with our doctors and work closely with them regarding their post-surgical nutrition.
Contact Us
If you are severely overweight and have been unsuccessful in losing weight through diet and exercise, you may be an ideal candidate for bariatric surgery. To learn more about bariatric surgery techniques and how they can benefit your overall health, contact us at your earliest convenience.
