Weight Loss Surgery: Expert Guides and Resources

Weight loss surgery is a life-altering step, one that can dramatically improve your quality of life. But it’s not a quick fix or an easy answer to obesity. If you’re thinking about weight loss surgery, you’re probably wondering about the benefits. You’re also probably not sure what your insurance will cover or what’s involved in the surgery itself.

Initially, while you're recovering from weight loss surgery in the hospital, you're fed ice chips and possibly clear liquids. You may be a little nauseated, and the liquids minimize the risk of vomiting (which you definitely want to avoid at this point). Generally, you're on clear liquids only a day or two. What you can eat Basically, clear liquids are just liquids you can see through.

Full liquids are foods that are liquid or semi-liquid at room temperature and you can't see through. These foods should pour off a spoon (not just fall off in a lump). If you're tolerating clear liquids, your surgeon may approve full liquids as soon as the second day after your weight loss surgery. Eat slowly, listen to your body, and stop eating before you are full.

Congratulations, you're on your way to "real" food! If you're at this stage of your post weight loss surgery diet, your surgeon has determined you're healing well and tolerating the full-liquid phase of your recovery plan. Smooth foods (also known as puréed foods) are foods that have been put through the blender or food processor to smooth them out.

Soft foods — finally! (Some surgeons consider this part of the puréed phase of your diet after your weight loss surgery, so be sure to check your personal instructions.) By now you're probably feeling and looking pretty good but are a little tired of the liquids and smooth foods and ready to kick things up a bit.

After your weight loss surgery, you can use the bariatric food guide pyramid to help you design your own menus in the recommended portion size. Remember, the portion sizes are recommended as the limit. Listen to your body and stop when you are satisfied! Bariatric food guide pyramid. Determining an accurate portion Initially you need to weigh or measure all of your food in order to learn how to take care of your pouch.

Healthy eating after your successful weight loss surgery is all about making good choices, watching portion sizes, and knowing what's in the food you're eating (watch out for sugar and fried foods!). Fortunately, more and more fast food establishments are making it easier to eat more healthfully.Many fast-food restaurants are making nutritional information available in brochures or on their Web sites.

After your successful weight loss surgery, you have to be careful about what you eat and how much you eat. In a hurry and not going out but still need fast food? Many people rely on frozen dinners from time to time, but that might pose special challenges for you.Not all frozen meals are created equal, so carefully read nutrition facts labels.

If you remember one thing from the bariatric pre-op information you received from the dietitian, it's probably how important fluids are. Fluids are necessary for almost every bodily process as well as fighting off fatigue — not to mention helping your metabolism to encourage weight loss.You should get 48 to 64 ounces of fluid a day.