Diet and Nutrition Guidelines

Successful weight loss is dependent upon a commitment to modifying eating habits. Our nutritionist will work closely with you following surgery to create a personalized diet plan and teach you healthy eating habits. All gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy and bypass patients at our New York center are encouraged to abide by the following guidelines.

Schedule three meals a day to avoid skipping meals and overeating

To keep yourself healthy, maintain a smooth metabolism by sticking to a regular schedule of three meals a day. It is also important to avoid overeating, as doing so will slow your weight loss and possibly make you sick by stretching your stomach.

Chew food slowly and thoroughly

Each meal should take 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Meat should be cut into very small pieces and all food should be chewed until it is the consistency of baby food to prevent stomach blockage.

Reserve drinking liquids for between meals

Drinking too much liquid with a meal can cause your stomach to stretch. To prevent dehydration, drink low calorie beverages and water between meals.

• Learn more about drinking alcoholic beverages
• Learn more about drinking caffeinated beverages

Avoid food and drink that is high in fat, sugar, and calories

Foods that are high in fat and sugar can cause uncomfortable conditions such as dumping syndrome, and high calorie foods can compromise your weight loss efforts.

Include nutritional supplements in your diet

Because you may not receive the amount of vitamins and minerals you need through the food you eat, we recommend that you take nutritional supplements. At our Long Island center, gastric banding and gastric bypass patients are closely monitored for nutritional deficiencies and are given receive individual advice from our nutritionist about the types of supplements to include in their diets.