Chapter 3: Maintaining Healthy Eating for Life 61
✓ Do drink before, during, and after exercising. Aim for at least 64
ounces of water if not more each day if you’re exercising (and we hope
you are!).
✓ Don’t drink alcohol. A couple of reasons why not to imbibe are- Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it’s dehydrating.
- Alcohol affects some people who have had gastric bypass surgery
very differently than most people. The limited capacity of your
pouch means alcohol moves into your small intestine more quickly
where it is absorbed faster. It may only take a little alcohol to make
you inebriated.
If you really want to enjoy a drink, check with your physician beforehand.
Also, never drive after a drink. You may think you feel okay, but your
blood alcohol level will tell otherwise. No one wants a DUI!
Supplementing Your Diet
We repeatedly bring to your attention the fact that you cannot eat as much
as you were able to before (like you didn’t know that, right?). Because of this,
the foods you do eat should be nutrient-rich foods to keep you from developing
some nutritional deficiencies. Even if you do everything you can to eat a
healthy diet, deficiencies may still occur. Generally, this is more likely to
occur in patients who had surgeries that affect the absorption of nutrients,
such as gastric bypass. However, they can occur in anyone who’s not eating
wisely, not eating enough, or not taking supplements.Even with a well-balanced diet, taking a supplement like a multivitamin is
necessary. Others supplements may be required as well based on your own
particular needs. Keeping your follow-up appointments is vital so that your
surgeon has a chance to monitor your nutrient levels and determine what
your changing needs are. Deficiencies aren’t obvious until they’re severe
enough to manifest physically, so by keeping your appointments and getting
your lab work done as ordered, they can be identified early and treated.Any supplements your surgeon prescribes are a requirement, not a
recommendation. After all, you went through all the trouble of having the
surgery to feel better, so why not feel the best you can?