Gastroplasty
Gastroplasty
What is a gastroplasty?
Gastroplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat obesity. The surgery involves a series of visits with physicians both medical and surgical. There are guidelines which help the physicians determine if gastroplasty is the best choice for weight control.
Life long commitment
This surgical procedure requires a life long commitment to a very specific diet. After a gastroplasty, the pouch - or size - of the stomach will only hold 2-4 ounces of food or liquid.Diet progression
After a gastroplasty, the patient will not eat for several days.The day of surgery, the surgeon inserts a tube through the nose and into the stomach. This tube keeps the stomach empty. It may be several days until the physician orders sips of liquids.
After several days the patient will progress to a clear liquid diet, full liquid diet, then to pureed foods. Foods will be served 2 ounces at a time.
Nutritional guidelines
- Eat slowly and chew your food well.
- Stop eating as soon as you are full.
- Eat 3 meals a day.
- Drink liquids between meals only, do not wash food down with a drink.
- Add new foods one at a time.
- Do not eat concentrated sweets (candy, pie, deserts).
- Avoid high fat foods.
- Avoid foods with high fiber content, such as coconut, orange pulp, or skins of some fruits/vegetables.
- If you have problems with milk, try smaller amounts or use lactase treated milk.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Take a vitamin/mineral supplement.
There is a dietitian available in the hospital to answer any questions before surgery, after surgery or after discharge from the hospital.
The dietary department can be reached by calling 937-7257.
