Zero Carb Isopure

Post Bariatric Surgery : Life Gets Better
A guide to what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat. From post bariatric surgery through the rest of your life.

Weeks 1-2
The First Yes and No's of Your Diet.
At the beginning you'll be on a diet of soft foods - those that are pureed or blended. Blend the foods until they're smooth, making sure there aren't any lumps or seeds. Know this: the portions will be small. Which means you'll have to eat 4-5 times per day. Because protein is vitally important for your overall recovery, specifically for proper healing as well as maintaining your muscle mass during weight loss, each meal should include at least one item from the dairy or meat sections below.

That's because meats and dairy are high in protein. As Is Isopure Remember, It has 40 grams of the purest protein. And It will be a great help in your hydration. Which Is another critical element in your diet In fact, if you have to choose between taking liquids or food, side with the liquid.

You'll need 8 cups (2 quarts) of liquid each day to prevent dehydration and constipation. The Ideal choice: a liquid with a high protein content That's Isopure, of course.

A few other guidelines: Take vitamins every day with your meals for better absorption. Take an iron supplement with an acidic beverage like orange juice (diluted). Do not drink coffee, tea or diet cola with your meals. Speaking of which, here are your meal selections

Note: Please discuss serving size and number of servings with your doctor or registered dietitian.

Dairy:
good source of protein and calcium.

No No's: whole milk, cream, ice cream, whipped cream, ice milk. Also remove pieces of fruit In yogurt

Meats:
good source of protein, energy, B vitamins and iron.

No No's: fried eggs

Vegetables:
good sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

No No's: broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower. They may cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas.

Fruits:
all good sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

No No's: full-strength fruit juice and toddler or Junior strained fruit or desserts. Too much sugar.

Starches:
good sources of energy, B vitamins and fortified Iron.

No No's: high-fat creamy soups.

Fats:

Regular and diet margarine, butter or oil
Low-fat mayo/salad dressing

No No's: high-fat content fried foods.

Snacks:

No No's: donuts, Banishes, fried and salty snacks.

Beverages:

No No's: Whole milk, milk shakes, alcoholic beverages, fruit juices.

Weeks 2-6
After Your Surgery. Solid Foods Make Their Entrance.
You begin simply. By adding one new solid food each day. And once again, be patient It takes time to adapt it takes forbearance. And foresight Your tolerance will Improve gradually. So go at your own pace. Advance at your own temperament Some things to nibble on: continue to eat 4-5 small, liquid/blended meals each day. However, you can replace one of these meals with one solid, very soft food. After a while, you may find that having 4 meals a day is easily tolerated.

Should you have any trouble with a new food, wait about one week before trying it again. A step In the right direction: try a tiny bite

of your new food and chew really well. Wait 2-5 minutes. If there aren't any problems, take another bite and another, waiting the 2-5 minutes between each bite. If after 3 bites there aren't any problems, go ahead and finish eating the food. If at any time you feel full, nauseated or about to vomit stop eating and rest At the next meal have only clear liquids. Then add blended food the following meal. Try having another solid food again the next day.

A few reminders: please continue taking the chewable children's multi-vitamins each day. Chew foods until they're almost liquid before you swallow. Continue eating small amounts, slowly. And continue drinking 2 quarts of water or decaffeinated fluid between meals. Of course, continue taking your Isopure.

Dairy:
the same foods as in weeks 1-2 with the addition of:

Meats:

Note: egg whites have the valuable protein; the yolks are mainly fat. Use fat-free gravy to add moisture to foods.

No No's: fried eggs.

Vegetables:

Note: Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts may cause abdominal discomfort and bleeding.

No No's: Avoid raw vegetables until 6-8 weeks after the surgery.

Fruits:
same foods as weeks 1-2 with the addition of:

Starches:
same foods as weeks 1-2 with the addition of:

No No's: rice, pasta, bread, cereals with fruits or nuts.

Fats:
2-3 servings of same foods as weeks 1-2.

What's Next.
You're past the 6-week mark and on your way to trying new foods, with textures and taste that will add Interest to your die. A couple of Important points worth hi-fighting. First, what's right for one individual doesn't mean that Its right for you. Timings vary. So adjust your progress to fit your needs and desires. Second, try very small amounts of any new food. Sometimes they don't sit well. If that happens, try them again sometime down the road. Meanwhile, try something else.

As you enter the regular Gastric Bypass diet, you'll begin eating the same foods as the rest of your family, only In much smaller amounts. Meats and salads are wonderful. Spices will be added.

Vegetables are a go. It's important that you eat highly nutritious foods and don't fill up with empty calorie junk food. In other words, eat healthfully.

What's Worth Digesting.
Here are several nuggets to keep In mind:

Note: Isopure has no fat.

Valuable Support
Visit your hospital's support group. Talk to people who have gone through what you've experienced. Or join an online group. Here are some helpful web sites:

www.asbs.org
www.spotlighthealth.com
www.healthology.com/beyond_dieting

You've made a major change in your life. You've shown courage and perseverance as well as a capacity and willingness to take one day at a time no matter how long that day seems to last You know that your life will never be the same again. The fact Is, it will undoubtedly only get better and better with each day.

So enjoy life.If anyone deserves to, it's you.