No matter which type of weight loss surgery you underwent, caloric intake decreases drastically. But how many calories should I eat after gastric sleeve surgery? If you or your loved one went through gastric sleeve surgery, then you should brace yourself for the new style of life. The real challenge starts the day you are awakened after surgery.
An average of 1200 calories after gastric sleeve is the limit for your daily intake. That is of course three months after surgery. In the early stages, 300-600 calories per day for your body to adjust to the new environment.
To achieve your weight loss goals, you should say your last goodbyes to artificial sugary snacks and oils. Instead, you will be doing math problems, counting your macronutrient intake, as well as fluid intake.
What should my macros be after gastric sleeve?
Micronutrients are the most three substances you digest on daily bases; fat, protein, and carbohydrates. These three units are basically calories. Arrange your meals to have 50% protein, 30% fat, and 20% carbs. That way half of your calories will be divided into carbs and fat and the other half is protein.
Fibers are your bestie, it is a common issue for bariatric patients to go through constipation. Therefore, try to include fibers in your diet. It eases the business in the bathroom. But adding too much fiber suddenly in your meals will not be in favor of the stitches of your bariatric procedure. Start with 15 grams of fiber, then go for more if you face issues like feeling bloated.
How many carbs should I eat after gastric sleeve?
Follow a diet that lacks bad carbs like artificial sugars and instead stick to healthy fibers. Generally, 125-140 grams of carbohydrates should be taken on daily bases.
Speaking of bad guys, having high levels of glycaemic index (GI) in food effects negatively on body. Your sugar level in the blood will be like if someone hit the hammer on the high striker game. In other words, glucose levels will rapidly increase after GI foods.
The scale of carbs take changes with time, after half a year of the surgery, you will be able to consume about 1200-1400 calories daily. It is ranged into three meals a day like a normal daily food routine. That is the goal you should be able to stay in, not less or more.
This table shows the number of carbs you should take per day cording to months 1, 3, 6, and 12.
| Baseline(AVG) | Month1 | Month3 | Month6 | Month12 | |
| Carbohydrates % | 39-51% | 35-49% | 34-52% | 37-54% | 40-53% |
| Grams per Day | 220 | 87 | 102 | 109 | 140 |
How many grams of protein after gastric sleeve?
There are special protein powders for bariatric patients to consume protein in liquid from in early stages. The average amount you should set your goals for is around 60-70 grams of protein. It will be challenging in the early stages but later on, you will be able to consume the needed amount.
Getting protein supplements will make you gain more muscle tissue. Once you’re back on your feet, try having soft cardio walks or physical activity to help burn fat and take advantage of loaded protein to muscle tissues.
In that case, you will help to lose the unwanted extra weight and then look good, confident, and most importantly mentally happy.
How many grams of fat per day after gastric sleeve?
Just because you’re trying to lose your excess weight, it doesn’t mean you have to cut fat 100%. You should always balance your intake. But also, if fat intake is more than protein or carbs, it will be unhelpful to reach the goal of losing weight.
For instance, avocado and nuts would be good sources of healthy fat, especially for the heart. It is also very nutritious, low in carbs, and high in fiber.
Here is a table to follow how many grams of fat per day after sleeve gastrectomy surgery:
| Baseline(AVG) | Month 1 | Month 3 | Month 6 | Month 12 | |
| FAT Content % | 27-39% | 23-43% | 29-39% | 29-41% | 29-34% |
| Grams per Day | 72 | 28 | 38 | 40 | 45 |
Also, choosing the correct sort of fat is important, you shouldn’t go for fried or greased substances. That is the enemy or a beautiful lie we all should prevent. They are high in bad calories and they are certainly not nutritious fats.
How much water a day gastric sleeve?
The importance of staying hydrated after gastric sleeve surgery is life lasting routine. You should take in 67.6 oz (2 liters) of water per day. It may be a lot in the early days, but that’s fine. Once you can handle taking in more cups of fluid, reach for the bottle of water more often.
It might even be hard enough to sip water in the early days, it is very typical for bariatric surgery patients, and tiredness will be heavy on your shoulders. When your stomach stitches are healing over time, it’s easier to hydrate yourself with plenty of water and clear fluids. Your organs will be thanking you for the blessings, especially the livers.
Keep in mind that your stomach is way smaller than it used to be after surgery, therefore, make sure you also do not take large sips of water at once. That will be too heavy on your unhealed stomach.
But what if I do not drink enough water? Well, after gastric sleeve surgery, the doctor recommends hydration every now and then to avoid many symptoms like:
- UTI: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common things that may be seen in bariatric post-op.
- Constipation: Dehydration can make your number 2 business hard in the bathroom. Always keep water next to you.
How often should you eat after gastric sleeve?
It’s not only about “how many calories should I eat after gastric sleeve,” you must divide your calories in pieces, too. This is the main point of this whole journey, and this goes in gradual stages, here is how your post-op diet should be:
In the early stages, it is between 5-6 meals per day. It’s all liquid meals and nothing else. You will have the 3 main meals and snacks, liquid of course.
When you first wake up, it will be hard enough even to take 3 tablespoons of fluids, but over time things will become smoother. In the first 3 weeks, your daily servings are only clear fluids that have no bits or soft pieces. That is a very critical period of time for your stomach to welcome any guests. Chicken broth for instance is a good early guest.
Once you start having soft foods in your diet like mashed potatoes, you will be doing 4 meals per day, each meal should be less than a full cup. After 30-40 days of surgery, your meals will be 3 per day. Also, your diet changes to more fun food such as cooked vegetables, eggs, fish, or lean meat. But do not count ice cream as soft foods or creamy, that is something we are trying to avoid in our bodies after bariatric surgery.
What should be my portion size after gastric sleeve?
The choice of food is very important after bariatric surgery, you can’t eat much and feel full fast. So, you eat the nutrition needed. Generally, your surgical team gives you a program to follow and you should stick to it.
First of all, you should always prioritize your protein shake for daily doses. Here is a general idea of how much food to take during the day and month:
For the broths, drink 200 ml and 1.5-2 liters of water daily. This is in the early days because it’s all fluids.
Then you go to a phase of eating pureed food, you have about 3 ounces of the meal. It should cover numerous and enough protein for each meal in a day.
Once you’re able to eat soft foods, have 1 ounce of boiled egg or canned tuna per meal. Or you can eat 1/4 cup of well-cooked, pureed vegetables. Or if you feel fruity, you can eat the same portion but as long as it is soft fresh fruits/canned fruits, but not fruits with skin.
You can use appetizer plates to arrange your portions. Half of it will be protein, and half of the rest will be carbs and fat. Also, having a small plate will satisfy your eyes and you won’t feel like you’re eating small portions.
References:
(1) Vinolas H, Barnetche T, Ferrandi G, et al. Oral Hydration, Food Intake, and Nutritional Status Before and After Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg. 2019;29(9):2896-2903. doi:10.1007/s11695-019-03928-y
(2) Helmen ZM, Helm MC, Helm JH, et al. Predictors of Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection After Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg. 2018;28(7):1950-1954. doi:10.1007/s11695-017-3095-6
