Patients who are looking to have bariatric surgery often opt for having a gastric sleeve.The gastric sleeve procedure, also known as a gastrectomy, is a restrictive bariatric surgery that significantly reduces the size of your stomach and your appetite to encourage weight loss. A gastric sleeve physically restricts the amount of food you can eat by reducing the size of your stomach, as we mention in previous articles. Nevertheless, patients might find it difficult to follow a diet in the long term after having the gastric sleeve, so it is possible to regain a small amount of weight.
At LIMARP®, we take pride in the quality and excellence of our service, as well as the great soothing experience we provide our patients. Our facility is located at Tijuana’s main business district, just a few minutes away from Mexico’s International Border with the United States. Tijuana is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, as it is the point of international transit for hundreds of thousands of people every day, and is considered the most competitive, safe, and attractive destination for medical tourism in Mexico.
Tijuana receives almost 2 million medical tourists per year. The city provides quality medical care and medication at a fraction of the price in North American countries. Due to its proximity to the international border, most services in Tijuana are offered in both English and Spanish, and most medical services are available for coverage by international insurance and additional financing.
A Healthy Long-Term Diet Plan after Gastric Sleeve
A diet rich in nutrients after having the gastric sleeve is essential for the patient to fulfill the process. Gastric sleeve surgery significantly reduces the size of the stomach to limit the amount of food a patient can eat and encourage weight loss. The gastric sleeve offers fast and effective weight loss results, but it is important that patients practice lifestyle changes that will keep the weight off.
One of the most important factors to affect the long-term success of gastric sleeve surgery is a proper diet. Here, Dr. Liza María Pompa González goes over the long-term diet plan for gastric sleeve patients. Following a proper diet will help our Tijuana, MX, and San Diego, CA, area patients achieve a healthier lifestyle for years to come.
According to the latest global registry of the International Federation for the Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), gastric sleeve surgery is by far the most requested and practiced bariatric surgery worldwide. Out of all the bariatric surgeries that are practiced around the world, roughly 59% account for a gastrectomy, and almost all of them are done with laparoscopic techniques. This is the bariatric procedure for which experts have the most data and the most register of outcomes and results in long-term follow-ups. It is also the most standardized procedure in the bariatric community. It’s been largely documented that complications due to gastric sleeve surgery are very low and that it provides good control and great benefits over comorbidities associated with obesity.
The Pouch Reset Diet
The pouch reset diet or method was created in 2007 by a gastric bypass patient named Kaye Bailey. Like many bariatric patients, Kaye struggled with weight regain after her surgery and in her attempt to “shrink” her stomach back to its post-surgery size, she developed the five-day pouch reset. The pouch reset severely restricts and limits your food and nutrient intake. It works by “mimicking” your immediate diet after bariatric surgery[1].
How Does The Pouch Reset Diet Works?
The “5-day pouch reset” is a specific diet or plan followed by patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery or other weight loss surgeries (like gastric sleeve) involving the creation of a small stomach pouch[2]. The goal of this diet is to help people who have experienced weight regain or a return to old eating habits after surgery to “reset” their eating behaviors and portion sizes.
This diet is structured as it is name, the patient must follow a 5-day extreme diet as follows:
- Liquids only on day 1: the patient must consume only clear liquids, such as water, broth, and sugar-free beverages. This is meant to give the stomach time to adjust and recover from any inflammation or overstretching that may have occurred due to overeating.
- Pureed foodson days 2-3: During these days, the individual consumes pureed or blended foods that are easy to digest. This might include foods like yogurt, protein shakes, baby food, and soups.
- Solid foods on days 4-5: Soft, solid foods must be introduced on these days. These could include foods like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and well-cooked vegetables.
However, medical researchers have not explored this type of diet, and according to a recent study[3] “there is no scientific basis for this diet”. Therefore, whether you are looking to start the 5-day pouch reset, you might consider reaching out to your doctor first.
As you see, the idea behind the 5-day pouch reset is to gradually reintroduce foods with smaller portions and healthier choices. The purpose of this diet is helping to promote healthier eating habits. Nevertheless, as we mention, the 5-day reset pouch is proven by scientific evidence, and its effectiveness can be different from person to person, considering age, gender, and genetic heredity.
Before The 5-Day Pouch Reset
As we mentioned, before considering any dietary changes, especially after your surgery, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider or a registered nutritionist. They can provide personalized advice based on your individual health status, medical history, and needs.
If you already made the decision of doing a pouch reset or any weight loss strategy, keep in mind that medical knowledge and recommendations by experts are the most accurate instructions. Reach out to them and ask them for advice for a better and healthier pouch reset experience.
Contact Us to Learn More
Our nutritional consultation services, psychology and fitness department and our complete array of plastic surgery procedures are held to the best-in-class standards and are under constant revision by our experienced staff. If you are significantly overweight and have been unable to lose weight on your own, it may be time to consider bariatric surgery at our Tijuana practice. To learn more about gastric sleeves or our other surgical techniques, send us a message at your earliest convenience, or call our weight loss center. Call us at (619) 373-0222.
References:
[1, 3] “Does the Pouch Reset Test Work?”. https://emergesurgical.com.au/does-the-pouch-reset-test-work/. (Accessed July 30, 2023).
[2] “5-Day Pouch Reset: Lose Weight After Weight Gain”. https://mexicobariatriccenter.com/5-day-pouch-reset/. (Accessed July 30, 2023).
