Bariatric Nutritional Management

experience a smoother transition into healthy eating

Nutrition counseling for adults seeking bariatric surgery for weight loss can help you personalize your plate and create a sustainable nutrition approach that fits your individual needs today and into the future. Our team of registered dietitian nutritionists is dedicated to helping you improve your health through evidence-based nutrition education and counseling. Get in touch with us to optimize your nutrition habits to succeed both before and after bariatric surgery.

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Nutrition Services for Bariatric Patients

If you are considering bariatric weight loss surgery or have already had it, you know that adopting a healthy lifestyle is key to your success. As well, if the words “Healthy Lifestyle” are a foreign concept, then you need a professional ally that can provide evidenced based nutritional and supplement guidelines!

A registered dietitian has been determined to be an essential health care provider for patients planning on having any bariatric surgery before, during, and after the procedure. Over the last 20 years, our company of dietitians have been fortunate to work with Dr. Nestor De La Cruz-Munoz and many other bariatric surgeons providing bariatric focused nutrition care to their patients. Not only did patients maximize their loss of excess total pounds, they were able to minimize their muscle mass loss and stay healthy with the right food and supplementation program. The long game with bariatric nutrition is maintaining an optimal weight, and practicing the new healthy behaviors you learn in the first year for many years to come.

The biggest problem with patients one year or more out from their bariatric surgery is,they think they don’t need further nutrition support or guidance. Two to five later they will call us up wanting to come in because of weight regain from going back to old lifestyle behaviors. If that might be you, or you are thinking about having one of the many bariatric surgical procedures, then consider our nutrition program. It incorporates the most up to date diet and nutritional supplement recommendations required for all of bariatric surgeries, both pre and post op. We find patients under our care experience a smoother transition into healthy eating. A good bariatric program will enable a patient to progress better and faster by:

Enabling food tolerance
Minimizing digestive complications
Alleviating diarrhea or constipation
Alleviating nausea and vomiting
Maximizing weight loss
Minimizing muscle loss
Minimizing or preventing feeling weak and/or dizzy
Minimizing and successfully treating bad breath
Promoting healthy normal labs levels post surgery

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Bariatric Nutrition Evaluation and Post Op Care

Bariatric Nutritional Evaluation

The first step when working with registered dietitian experienced with bariatric nutrition is a comprehensive nutrition and life style evaluation of the patient. You tell us about your present dietary habits, (probably more than you want to tell!!), your present and past exercise habits and/or physical limitations, social support and influences, as well as your readiness level to make effective behavioral changes towards improved health. Everything from food allergies, medications, past weight loss attempts, recommendations for diet improvement before surgery, as well as specifics of how to prepare for surgery, are important factors that are addressed in the pre-surgery nutrition visits.

Your insurance may require you to have three nutrition visits pre-surgery not including the bariatric nutrition education preparing you for the surgery. The idea is for you to have a professional educating you on what and how to eat healthy meals, provide you with a seven day meal plan that you follow, and keep a food journal. The insurance companies want to see that you are “coachable” and ready to make some changes for your benefit. Think about it… this is actually important, because the surgery doesn’t magically change your behaviors of unhealthy eating and living, it just provides a smaller receptacle for depositing the food you select to eat. So, you need to practice selecting and eating healthier foods without meal skipping to succeed! The more comfortable you are with these newer behaviors before the surgery, (for at least three months), the better you will do. This may be the first time you actually have the right meal plan for the right reason and the professional support to stay on track.

Post Op Nutrition Progressive Meal Plan

The post surgical progressive meal plan starts with a comprehensive nutrition and supplement program, so you know exactly how to proceed from day one after the operation. The program is laid out in a very easy to follow booklet that each patient receives. Nutrition menus and recipes are provided for each stage of your progressive meal plan to help you adjust to your new smaller stomach. As well, we provide info on good bariatric apps that you can use on your phone or tablet that helps to keep you motivated and in touch with your dietitian and fellow bariatric patients going through similar experiences.

Bariatric meals are optimized for high protein, digestive tolerance, and good flavor. The recommendations include required supplements written in an easy to follow schedule for you. This allows patients to be very clear about how much, what, and when to eat and drink. Many topics are discussed in our nutrition sessions such as; how probiotics can improve your weight loss and your health, protein amounts in foods, finding and making a good tasting protein shake, how to maximize your energy levels, improving bowel regularity, minimizing hair loss, weight loss and body image, recipes you or your family can make, and much more.

Bariatric Nutrition Visit Schedule

One to two weeks post surgery you need to have a nutrition visit with your dietitian. After that, it is suggested that you follow a monthly nutrition visit schedule for one year. Not all patients can afford to keep this nutrition visit pattern going, but it has been found to be one of the keys to long term patient success. Post surgery nutrition visits are critical in insuring you are doing the right thing.

Drinking enough fluid, eating enough protein, having the right meal timing, etc. Being told what to do, and doing it are two different things many times. Working with your dietitian can and will make all the difference in the world. Trouble shooting any problems you might have such as poor digestion, food intolerance, bowel irregularity, slow weight loss, inadequate protein intake, protein shake selection, vitamin supplement tolerance, blood glucose monitoring if Diabetic, and progression back to a normal healthy diet are all discussed. New menus and recipes can be individualized and are provided to assist you with these next nutrition steps.

Bariatric Nutrition Support Groups

Bariatric Nutrition Support Groups led by a registered dietitian are extremely helpful to long-term success. We encourage patients to participate in bariatric support groups post-surgery. They are a safe place to meet others that have similar experiences, fears, challenges and concerns, and find the answers you are looking for to keep you on track. Typically a topic is discussed that is essential for success of the bariatric patient and everyone gets a chance to ask questions and share their challenges and successes. If we are not running a support group, we will provide locations where you can go to participate in a bariatric nutrition support group, either online or on person.

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Bariatric Nutrition

“If you thought you were going to a “normal” dietician, who doles out standard dietary advice… think again. Alix Landman will give you way more than you anticipated, with a knowledge base that expands well beyond that which we would consider traditional or mainstream. Alix, is indeed, a cutting edge dietician who embraces unconventional wisdom when addressing our health and nutritional concerns.”
Caryn A.

“I am so glad I found Alix! This was my first experience with a nutritionist and I have learned so much. Alix is incredibly knowledgeable, professional and motivating. She genuinely listens to her clients, focuses on the issues or goals and gives specialized expert advice. I am learning to be intentional about my health and I am making better choices and feeling great!”
Tyra B.

“Alix is a very professional and knowledgeable individual that helped me out a great deal and taught lifelong lessons. She provides an array of services that many healthcare providers do not even know about. Highly recommend.”
Richard V.

“Alix has a no-nonsense way of explaining things, which was a little bit overwhelming at first. As we talked, however, I learned more and more and made the adjustments to my diet and nutrition that she recommended. I have really loved making these changes and I feel terrific. Alix is very responsive, answering emails quickly and providing support whenever needed. I have recommended several other people to her, and all were very satisfied.”
Barbara Z.

“Alix Landman gave me individualized solid advice, as well as innovative and easy ways to incorporate foods and supplements into my diet to achieve my goals. I am healthier, I feel better and I have more energy ~ Thanks”
Dana P.