Lifetime success Fluids Drink one and a half to two liters (48–64 oz.) of water per day, between meals (increase this amount by 20 percent if you are sweating). Water is the recommended beverage. Diet, non-carbonated drinks or those that are sweetened with sugar substitutes are recommended in limited quantities only. Juices are high in calories and could cause you to “dump.” They provide very little nutritional value.
Tips: •
Avoid carbonated beverages. When a carbonated beverage is consumed, it warms and releases gases, distending the stomach pouch and stretching the stomach. It then creates undue stress and subsequently causes the stretching of the anastomosis (area where the bowel is rejoined to the pouch).
• Do not drink 20 to 30 minutes before or after meals. This prevents pouch stretching and vomiting. Do not drink fluids with meals and snacks. This must be adhered to as an ongoing practice.
• Sip slowly and carefully.
• Minimize caffeine. Many beverages contain caffeine, an appetite stimulant, which is detrimental to initial weight loss and long-term weight control. Caffeine may also irritate your pouch and contribute to ulcers. • Sip fluids continually between meals and snacks to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinking from fountains or with straws, as it is more difficult to control the volume of your intake, and can introduce air into your pouch, causing gas. •
Eliminate high-calorie drinks such as milkshakes, soda, alcoholic beverages and juices. High- calorie beverages tend to be low in nutritional value, contain simple sugars, and are quickly absorbed into the blood stream, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, and increased hunger. Weight loss can be slowed down dramatically and even stopped.
Note: If your urine is dark or your mouth is dry, you are not drinking enough. • No alcoholic beverages for the year after surgery. After that time, if you choose to drink alcohol, limit to one serving at a time, no more than 3 times per week.
Eating strategies and behaviors Frequent snacks slow down weight loss; however, you should not go long periods without any food. You will be more prone to overeat later and not meet your protein requirements. Try to eat three planned, low-starch, high-protein, nutrient dense meals and two to three planned, low-starch, high-protein snacks every day. Between meal “picking” or “grazing” on small amounts of food throughout the day will sabotage your weight loss and keep you from achieving your weight loss goal. • Your body needs a minimum amount of protein each day. About 60-70 grams is adequate for most people. You need protein to preserve your lean muscle mass, which in turn is going to 15
