Before Bariatric Surgery: A Shopping List for Patients
The team at Tijuana Bariatrics wants to make sure that patients understand all phases of their surgical treatment. This include the pre-op process as well as the recovery process. By knowing this ahead of time, a bariatric surgery procedure can be performed simply and with as few hassles as possible.
The pre-op and post-op changes to a patient's diet can be challenging. This shopping list below will help patients prepare for the first two to three weeks after surgery. Keep this in mind as you stock up on foods and beverages at the grocery store.
Liquids
Before you undergo bariatric surgery and after the procedure, portions of your diet will consist of liquids. This helps prep the body for surgery and also allows your stomach to adjust to the alterations that were made.
In addition to plain water, consider picking up the following liquids before your surgery:
- Coconut water
- Sports drinks
- Vitamin water
- Crystal light
- Popsicles
- Broths
- Almond milk
- Low-fat or non-fat milk
Protein Shakes and Powder
In the lead up to surgery and following your procedure, protein shakes and protein powder are a must. Be sure to find one that is recommended by your surgeon and that tastes right to you. Make sure it's healthy and contains as little extra sugar as possible.
Creamy Soups
As you're in the process of healing, you can add soups to your diet. Smooth, creamy soups are best, though you can eventually have soups with soft noodles after two weeks. For the early phase of healing, avoid any soups with chewy meats or other hard/tough ingredients.
Sugar-Free Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent, healthy soft food that you can make part of your diet. Greek yogurt and sugar-free, low-fat yogurt are the ideal options to consider. Be sure to avoid yogurt with fruit for the early phase of recovery.
Other Soft Foods
In addition to the above, other soft foods will be key for the early phase of recovery. Consider the following food items while you are healing:
- Jell-O
- Pudding
- Cottage cheese
- Applesauce
- Eggs
- Plain instant oatmeal
- Hummus
As you're in recovery, you can check online for potential recipes and combinations of food items that can add some flavor and flair to your meals.
Tips While You're Shopping at the Store
While you're picking up groceries before surgery and as you're buying groceries in the future, a few tips can be helpful for helping you lose weight while eating healthy.
For one, try to shop mostly along the perimeter and outer aisles of the grocery store. This is where the fresh produce, lean proteins, and other fresh and healthy items are typically located. The inner aisles tend to include less healthy snack foods and junk food.
When heading into the middle aisles of a grocery store, check labels to ensure you're getting foods that are not packed with extra sugar. Processed foods tend to be bad for your health. Check ingredients to make sure they're as simple and natural as possible.
Contact Tijuana Bariatrics
For more information about pre-op care and ensuring your weight loss surgery goes by smoothly, we encourage you to contact an experienced bariatric surgeon today. The team at Tijuana Bariatrics will offer ample advice on the surgical procedure as well as the various phases involved.