Bariatric Surgery Pre - and Post - Operative Nutritional Care.

Bariatric surgery is a type of surgery that helps people who are very overweight by changing how their digestive system works, so they eat less and absorb fewer nutrients. There are different types of this surgery, like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding. These surgeries can be effective for losing weight and getting healthier. 

However, just having the surgery is not enough to make sure you stay healthy and achieve success in the long term. You also need to make good lifestyle changes, like eating right and staying active. That is why it is important to see a dietitian, who can help you with your eating habits before and after the surgery.

How a dietitian will help you before surgery: 

• Education and Preparation: Before undergoing bariatric surgery, you will need to be informed about the dietary changes you will face and the importance of adopting healthier eating habits. It is also important to lose weight before the surgery, so it improves the safety of it.  

• Assessment of current diet: Dietitians assess your current dietary intake to identify any deficiencies, imbalances or habits that should be modified for the new dietary habits that will start after surgery, but you can start working on them before the operation so the start becoming a habit.  They can design plans to address specific needs and reduce the risk of complications during and after surgery. 

• Customised Pre-Operative Diets: Every person is unique in their journey; a dietitian can create customised nutrition plans to optimise health and prepare your body for surgery. These plans often include a balance of macronutrients, sufficient hydration, and a focus on nutrient-dense foods. They not only show you what a very low-calorie diet will look like for before your surgery; but if you are seen with ample time before the surgery, they can start working on your current eating patterns to slowly help with preparing you for what will happen later in the process.  

How the dietitian can help after the surgery:  

• Transitioning to a New Normal: After bariatric surgery, the digestive system undergoes significant changes, which will need a gradual transition to a new way of eating, for example: portion sizes, frequency of food, timing of fluids, texture of foods. 

• Preventing Nutritional Deficiencies: There is a high risk of nutritional deficiencies post-bariatric surgery. Dietitians monitor nutrient levels, recommend appropriate supplements, and ensure that patients receive the essential vitamins and minerals to meet daily requirements. 

• Food relationship management: not only dietary changes are needed to be a successful candidate after bariatric surgery, but it also involves a shift in behaviour. Dietitians can help patients developing a positive relationship with food, manage emotional eating, mindful eating and establish long-term healthy habits. 

• Regular Follow-Up and Adjustments: Bariatric surgery is a effective process but your nutritional needs do change over time. Dietitians can have regular follow-up appointments with you, more often in the first year after surgery to be able to make necessary adjustments to nutrition plans based on individual progress and ensuring continued success in weight loss and overall health. 

Conclusion 

Even though bariatric surgery can be a great way to start a healthier life, how well it works depends on getting the right care before and after the surgery. At 360me Nutrition we can help you with the process and we will make it easy!