Gastric sleeve is a weight-loss surgery that permanently reduces the size of your stomach. A pre-op diet is often recommended before the surgery for patients to adjust and prepare their bodies for the procedure.
Read more: Gastric Sleeve Pre-Op Diet and What Happens if You Try To Cheat?
Following gastric sleeve surgery, patients are typically encouraged to reintroduce solid foods into their diets as they heal slowly. This will usually start with pureed foods such as applesauce or yogurt.
But what happens if you accidentally eat solid food? Will you gain all the weight back? Will you get sick? This article will explore what happens if you eat solid food after gastric sleeve surgery. Keep reading to learn more!
How Long Should You Wait Before Eating Solid Food After Gastric Sleeve?
If you have recently undergone gastric sleeve surgery, giving your body time to heal and recover before eating solid food is essential. Generally speaking, you should wait at least two weeks before returning to a regular diet following the procedure; this timeline may vary based on how quickly your body heals and any other health factors you may have.
It is essential to stick to the pre-op diet prescribed by your doctor, which typically consists of a liquid or soft diet for two weeks and then gradually transitioning back to solid food.
Reasons To Avoid Solid Food After Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery is a significant operation that changes the anatomy of your stomach and digestive system. It’s important to follow instructions from your physician and dietician to ensure you get the best outcomes from this procedure. Here are some reasons why you should avoid eating solid food after gastric sleeve surgery:
Risk of Stricture:
Eating solid foods too soon after the procedure can cause a stricture or narrowing of the stomach opening. This can occur if the staple line becomes irritated and swollen due to undigested food particles forced through it.
Risk of Gastrointestinal Distress:
Eating solid foods too soon after the procedure increases the risk of gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. This is because the stomach needs time to heal and your digestive system adjusts to its new size.
Poor Nutrition Absorption:
Eating solid foods too soon after the procedure can also result in poor nutrition absorption. This is because your stomach may be unable to break down and absorb nutrients properly due to its reduced size.
Risk of Weight Gain:
Eating solid foods too soon can lead to weight gain. This is because the stomach has yet to adjust, and you may consume more calories than your body needs.
Tips To Include Solids After Gastric Sleeve
When introducing solids into your post-gastric sleeve diet, you must be mindful of the amount and type of food you consume. Here are some tips:
a) Start slowly and gradually. Your stomach is still adjusting to your new diet, so it’s essential to take it slow. Start with soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or oatmeal. As you become more used to digesting food again, start introducing other types of solid foods into your meals.
b) Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Your stomach is smaller now and can’t hold as much food as it used to. Eating a few small meals throughout the day will help it adjust better than three large meals.
c) Chew your food thoroughly. This will aid digestion and help avoid any discomfort or pain after eating.
Call Dr. Renfrow for the best gastric sleeve surgery in Miami. Our team of experienced and dedicated surgeons provides the highest level of pre-op care to ensure that you are fully prepared for your procedure.
