Eating Schedule after Weight Loss Surgery

Having An Eating Schedule After Bariatric Surgery

After weight loss surgery, your eating schedule should look different than what it has looked like your entire life. Bariatric patients are not able to eat as much after the procedure so it is critical that you use the time you have during the day wisely to ensure you get the proper nutrition. Over the last seven years after my surgery, I have learned that getting on an eating schedule has really helped me. For some people, it can be easy to forget to eat after surgery because you are not as hungry anymore. For other people, they need a schedule to make sure they do not overeat. No matter where you fall, I think it is worth looking into after bariatric surgery.

As a bariatric patient, it is important that you learn the best ways to make the most out of your diet. You have probably heard how important protein is after surgery as well as how you need to avoid sugar. These should be the main things you consider when determining if you should add something to your diet. It is also important to consider the times of the day that you are eating. After surgery, I have found that it is a lot harder for me to get the initiative to eat breakfast. However, on the days that I have a nice, healthy breakfast, I feel so much stronger throughout the day. If you are currently skipping breakfast, I highly recommend that you find something to eat in the morning. By doing this, you will make sure you do not get too hungry where you overeat at lunch. Separating your meals throughout the day is crucial to ensure you are getting enough nutrition since you can only eat a limited amount of food at a time.

Throughout my journey, I have found that aiming for specific times to eat has really helped me stay on track. I try not to go too long without eating because I can get low blood sugar sometimes. At the same time, I have learned to stop tricking the system. You will only be able to eat a small amount of food at a time, but you will find that if you give yourself about an hour after a meal, you can eat more. This caused me a lot of issues after my surgery because I would literally eat almost every hour. I have had to find a balance with this and it has taken me a lot of time to get to that place. Some surgeons will suggest that you should not eat any snacks, while others think it is good to eat smaller portions more often throughout the day. You have to find what is best for you, because it can vary by person.

I am definitely a creature of habit and I will say that I think when you are trying to make a huge lifestyle change such as undergoing bariatric surgery, it is critical that you are consistent. This is why I feel so passionate about being on an eating schedule. Find the foods that you can eat and try to keep it consistent every day. Yes, I think it is important to spice it up so you do not get bored of the same foods, but overall, there are plenty of things in your diet that can stay the same every day. Have a list of foods and rotate through them, always trying to eat around the same time every day. With this consistency, you will be more likely to truly make this lifestyle change. Not every schedule will look the same for each person, but I promise you if you put the effort into finding what works for you, it will play a huge role in your success after surgery.

Continue reading: Guide To Nutrition and Diet After Bariatric Surgery