If you're looking to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time, the duodenal switch procedure (DS) may be right for you. However, like with many surgeries, DS comes with its fair share of possible complications and life-long commitments. Your diet after the surgery plays a major role in your long-term weight loss success. Due to the extent of malabsorption after the surgery, you will need to maintain a diet high in essential nutrients and will most likely need to take daily vitamins to fill in the nutritional gaps. Here's a look at some basic diet guidelines for after a duodenal switch surgery.
Stage 1: Clear Liquids
Directly after the DS procedure, your doctor will put you on a strict diet of only clear liquids. This stage will generally last one to two weeks, or as instructed by your surgeon. Consume the instructed amount of liquids throughout the day, but stay away from carbonated (fizzy) drinks that can cause bloating and gas. You will also want to avoid drinking from straws, as they bring air into the stomach, causing pressure or pain.
Appropriate clear liquids may include:
- Water
- Sugar-free popsicles
- Iced tea
- Clear broth
- Frozen fruit bars
- Apple juice
- Decaf coffee
- Sugar-free Jell-O
Stage 2: Full Liquids
Directly before transitioning to pureed foods, your surgeon may recommend taking a few days to get used to full liquids. Full liquids may contain somewhat thicker beverages or liquid-like foods that add more protein to your diet. Your surgeon may recommend adding protein powder or non-fat dry milk to your liquids to increase the amount of protein in your diet.
Suitable choices for this stage include:
- Clear liquids (see stage 1)
- 1% or skim milk
- Low-calorie yogurt (no chunks)
- Hot cereals
- Sugar-free custard or pudding
- Strained cream soups
Stage 3: Pureed Diet
If you have successfully mastered eating a full liquid diet, your surgeon may recommend moving onto a pureed diet, which you will follow for 2 to 3 weeks or as instructed by your surgeon. When following a pureed diet, be sure to add new food items slowly, drink liquids only between meals, and eat many protein-rich foods.
Great choices for soft or pureed foods include:
- Low-fat ricotta or cottage cheese
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed tofu
- Pureed chicken, fish, turkey, and lean pork or beef
- Mashed beans
- Mashed potatoes
- Sugar-free applesauce
- Pureed vegetables
Stage 4: Semi-Soft Diet
For the next month (or as instructed by your surgeon), you will need to follow a semi-soft diet that will help prepare you for eating regular food. Slowly incorporate new foods into your diet, including many low-fat, high nutrient and high-protein foods. In addition to eating a semi-soft diet, you will also need to continue drinking plenty of liquids.
Nutritional options for a semi-soft diet include:
- Salmon, white fish or tuna fish
- Crab, lobster or shrimp
- Deli-sliced chicken, turkey breast, roast beef, chicken or ham
- Lean turkey or ground beef
- Well-cooked pasta
- Soft, well-cooked vegetables
- Soft fresh fruit
Stage 5: Regular Diet
After a pureed diet, you will move onto a regular diet that adds foods with more of a crunchy texture. However, a regular diet does not mean you should resort back to your old eating habits. Continue to eat foods high in nutrients and protein. Steer clear of foods that are high in fat and sugar and stop eating as soon as you feel full.
If you are undergoing duodenal switch surgery, you will need to give your diet a complete makeover. For more information about diet guidelines following a DS procedure, contact your surgeon.
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