Eat Without Popping: What To Eat After The Placement Of Your Gastric Balloon
If you have struggled with your weight, you most likely understand the importance of following a healthy diet and exercise plan. Unfortunately, improving your diet and exercising rigorously to lose excessive weight does not work for everyone, so you may search for helpful alternatives. Gastric bypass is a popular surgery, but the gastric balloon offers a non-surgical weight loss option.
During the procedure, a balloon is placed into the stomach using an endoscope. Once inside, the surgeon will inflate the balloon using a saline solution. Since the balloon will be inflated to the size of a grapefruit, you will have less room in your stomach for food, making you feel full and decreasing your desire to eat. Of course, being successful will require following a specific diet. Using this guide, you will understand what to eat after your balloon procedure for effective weight loss.
1 to 3 Days
The first few days after the balloon is placed in your stomach, you may feel some nausea, so you will most likely not have much of an appetite. However, you must still eat to ensure your body receives important vitamins. During the first 3 days after your surgery, consume liquids only. Here are a few approved foods and beverages:
- Fruit Juice – Must be 100-percent fruit juice. Apple, cranberry, and grape juice is best.
- Clear Broth – Consider chicken, beef, or vegetarian broth.
- Water and Ice Chips
- Coffee and Tea – Opt for decaffeinated only.
- Sugar Free Popsicles
- Sugar Free Gelatin
Sugar contains empty calories, meaning it does not benefit your body's health in any manner. Avoid sugary liquids after the procedure. Do not drink any carbonated beverages or sugary drinks. When choosing juice, avoid citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, and tomatoes. These juices contain acidic properties, which can irritate the throat and stomach.
4 to 7 Days
After a few days, you can add different items to your menu. Since you were unable to eat normal foods during the first 3 days, you should add some protein-rich foods to your diet during the 4 to 7 day period.
Drink high-protein and low-carb protein shakes as a meal. Low calorie Greek yogurt is also a great option to eat, since it is high in protein and low in sugar. You can also drink a small glass of skim, almond, or soy milk. Make sure it is unsweetened.
Scrambled eggs are rich in protein, so they are a healthy and fulfilling meal option. Dice up the scrambled eggs into small pieces of food to prevent the eggs from sticking to the balloon in your stomach.
A small cup of cream soup, such as cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, or cream of broccoli, is also a sufficient meal during this period. Be sure to strain the soup before eating, since larger pieces of food will increase your feeling of being full.
After 7 Days
After the first week, you will need to switch to a diet that is full of pureed foods. Use a blender to puree foods to a consistency that is similar to applesauce. Here are a few foods to puree once you hit the 7-day mark after the placement of the gastric balloon:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Chicken or Fish
After 10 Days
In most cases, you will be able to begin eating normal foods 10 days after the placement of the balloon. Of course, making wise decisions in regards to the foods you eat and portion sizes will be important.
Eat 3 to 4 meals a day, making sure to consume protein before any starches. Protein is essential for building muscles and making you feel fuller faster, while starches give you an energy boost that quickly subsides.
Make sure to drink water between each meal, as well. Water is not only important for your body's hydration, but it also helps rinse food away from the balloon in your stomach. Consume a few sips of water after each meal to reduce the risk of food sticking to the balloon.
The gastric balloon is a great option if you need to lose weight, but proper food choices and portion control are necessary for long-term weight loss. Using this guide and the help of your doctor, you will understand what to eat after the placement of your gastric balloon.