Following the strict diet requirements for weight loss surgery recovery can be very difficult, especially when everyone around you wants to go out to eat. Bariatric-friendly restaurants can be hard to find, so here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started.
Post-Op Dietary Recommendations
It isn’t easy at the start of post-op. Going from eating whatever you want, whenever you want, to following a strict diet can be incredibly difficult. However, if executed correctly, the pain is worth the outcome.
During the first two weeks, you will be limited to an all-liquid diet. We recommend at least 96 ounces of liquid a day, including water, zero-sugar sports drinks, and other sugar-free liquids.
With water, you can include a lemon slice or two for flavor, or by adding protein supplements. Staying hydrated and giving your body enough protein is very important during the first two weeks. After two weeks, vitamin and mineral supplements are added to your food intake, as well as high protein soft foods.
Recommendations may vary depending on the doctor and the surgery type, however, there are some general guidelines:
- Eat and drink slowly.
- Keep meals small.
- Drink liquids between meals.
- Chew food thoroughly.
- Focus on high-protein foods.
- Avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar.
- Take recommended vitamin and mineral supplements.
As always, we recommend that you consult with your surgeon and dietitian for the best diet guidance.
The Best Bariatric-Friendly Fast Food Restaurants
Although we recommend avoiding fast food as much as possible, it can sometimes be impossible to avoid. So, if you need to choose, here are our recommendations:
- Subway -Protein bowl OR sandwich no bread.
- Chick-Fil-A -Grilled nuggets OR grilled chicken sandwich without the bun.
- Taco Bell- Bowl minus the rice.
- Chipotle- Bowl minus the rice.
- Jimmy Johns- Unwich
Of course, we don’t recommend just anything from these fast-food restaurants. Try to focus on menu options that are protein-rich and have smaller portion sizes. Healthier options can be hard to find, but if you make substitutions — such as switching a fatty, red meat for a lean protein such as grilled chicken — you will find that you have a few good options available to you.
The Best Bariatric-Friendly Restaurants in Oklahoma
As always, the success of our bariatric patients is heavily based on their own choices. It is best practice to look up the menu of a restaurant to verify that it will have healthy options for you. Most restaurants can provide a bariatric-friendly meal, but may require some substitutions. Don’t be shy to order that burger bunless or ask for a veggie side instead of the baked potato.
Here are some of the best bariatric-friendly restaurants in Oklahoma:
- Coolgreens
- The Hive
- Green and Grilled
- Salata
- Health Nut Cafe
- Zoes Kitchen
- Texas Roadhouse
- Qdoba
- S&B’s Burger Joint
- The Garage
Having Trouble? Here are some support options:
- WeightWise Bariatric-Friendly Recipes
- Weight Loss Surgery FAQ
- Attend one of our free seminars
- Learn more about our programs
- Talk with one of our dieticians
Here at WeightWise, our dedicated experts take the utmost care to provide our patients with the highest level of support possible. Feel free to contact us at any time with questions or concerns.
We look forward to serving you!