SWLC-Surgical Weight Loss Clinic

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Nutrition

Balanced Diet

Eating Patterns

Supplement Information

Exercise

Healthy Food Choices

Eating Patterns

After surgery, you will need to change your eating patterns to prevent gastric discomfort and vomiting, band slippage or obstruction of the stoma (the opening for foods leaving the upper stomach), and to accomplish your desired weight loss. You will need to concentrate on chewing, notice when you are feeling full, establish routine meal habits and eat a balanced, high-protein diet.

Chewing
Eat slowly and chew foods until they reach a mushy consistency. Swallowing food in chunks may block the opening of the gastric pouch and prevent the passage of food. The following hints can help improve your eating habits:

1. Set aside 30 to 45 minutes for each meal.
2. Take small bites of food. Try eating with a baby spoon.
3. Try to chew each bite 30 times before swallowing.
4. Explain why you need to eat slowly so others will not urge you to eat faster.
5. Pay attention to taste. Enjoy flavor, texture and consistency.
6. Stop eating as soon as you are full.

Feeling Full
Besides causing you to vomit, extra food over a period of time may stretch your gastric pouch and cause you to regain weight. Indications of fullness may be:

1. Feeling pressure under your breast bone.
2. Feeling nauseous.
3. Pain in your shoulder area or upper chest.

Meal Habits
Set aside 3 - 5 mealtimes per day and eat solid foods only at these times. It is important for you to eat nourishing food and avoid snacking. Eating often during the day may slow your weight loss. Avoid liquids with meals.

Beverages
Drink four to six cups of non-caloric liquids each day between meals, but never during meals. Liquids prevent dehydration and encourage weight loss. We recommend water and decaffeinated tea or coffee. You must eliminate high-calorie drinks such as milkshakes, soda pop, beer and other alcoholic beverages from your diet. Consuming high-calorie liquids allows your body to absorb calories without creating the sensation of fullness. This results in poor weight loss or weight gain.

Please see our “Foxkins® Diamond Weight Management Program” section.