Your long-term health and weight loss is a journey of persistence and sustainability. That’s why you deserve to take the struggle out of the equation with continued comprehensive nutritional guidance following your bariatric procedure.
At Atlanta Bariatrics, our in-house registered dietitians are with you every step of the way and beyond. Starting with your first consult, our dietitians will work alongside your surgeon to develop a comprehensive nutritional plan that is personalized to you. Pre-surgery nutrition visits teach how eating patterns will change after surgery, and post-surgery support helps you adjust to diet modifications.
If you’re ready to feel happier and healthier with the top specialists in weight loss surgery Atlanta has to offer, schedule your first consultation with us today. We can’t wait to help you take the first step!
New Patient ConsultCall: (770) 232-9252Diet ResourcesOur Dietitians
Specialized bariatric follow-up care is needed lifelong in order to assess nutritional status, weight loss surgery-specific lab work, nutrition intake, and exercise. It’s also important to assess supplement intake and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
It has been proven that adherence to a regular nutritional follow-up contributes to long-term weight loss success and prevents weight regain after bariatric surgery because healthy eating habits are encouraged and unhealthy habits can be managed without delay.
Nutrition pillars to live by after weight loss surgery:
Bariatric Advantage Recipe Book(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)
Healthier No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites (opens in a new tab)
“Cheesecake” Stuffed Strawberries(opens in a new tab)
Protein Sugar Cookies(opens in a new tab)
Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Parfait(opens in a new tab)
Cowboy Caviar Dip(opens in a new tab)
Ensure Max Protein Recipes(opens in a new tab)
Holiday Pumpkin Parfait(opens in a new tab)
Pumpkin & Butternut Squash Chili(opens in a new tab)
No-Bake Pumpkin Cranberry Bites(opens in a new tab)
Date Brownies(opens in a new tab)
Zesty Shrimp Saute(opens in a new tab)
Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado & Feta Salad(opens in a new tab)
There is strong evidence that self-monitoring your progress through calorie tracking and regular weigh-ins/taking measurements improves weight loss nutrition outcomes and helps you stay on track with your lifestyle changes. Food tracking can be done through journaling, using an app, or taking pictures of your meals. Explore what option is best for you.
If you like apps, Connect with us on Baritastic. Baritastic is an app for those who have had weight loss surgery. Beyond just calorie tracking, the app offers supplement reminders, water/food timers and reminders, weight loss tracking, measurement tracking, access to Atlanta Bariatrics's handouts, recipes, and more.
Other great apps for calorie count: MyFitnessPal, Lose It!, FatSecret, Lifesum, MyNetDiary, Calory.
VSG and RNY are malabsorptive procedures, requiring adequate vitamin supplementation to prevent deficiencies due to the reduction in food intake after surgery.
Always work closely with your Registered Dietitian for a personalized supplement regimen based on your individual bloodwork. Here are some basic pointers:
When choosing a multivitamin after weight loss surgery, it's important to ensure the product meets the ASMBS supplement guidelines in order to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies throughout the lifetime. Over-the-counter supplements do not provide adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals after surgery which can lead to bone loss, muscle loss, neurological issues, and anemia after weight loss surgery.
The recommendations for bariatric supplements are as follows:
Multivitamins | Daily Intake | |
---|---|---|
Thiamin | At least 12 mg/day | |
Folic Acid | 400-800 mcg/day (800-1000 mcg/day for female child bearing age) | |
Copper | 2 mg/day (RNY) | 1mg/day (Sleeve) | |
Zinc | 8-22 mg/day (RNY) | 8-11 mg/day (Sleeve) | |
B12 | 350-500 mcg/day | |
Vitamin D | 3000 IU/day | |
Vitamin A | 5000 -10,000 IU/day | |
Vitamin E | 15 mg/day | |
Vitamin K | 90-120 mcg/day | |
Iron | 45-60 mg/day CANNOT take with Calcium *may be individualized w/ RD | |
Calcium | 1200-1500mg/day (take in divided doses of 500-600mg) Calcium Citrate – take with or without food Calcium Carbonate – take with food *may be individualized w/ RD if eating high amounts of calcium foods |
In our office, we have several products that are safe to consume and meet the requirements. Below are some of the options available:
For more bariatric multivitamin recommendations, please contact your dietitian or find a complete list on the Baritastic App.
Atlanta Bariatrics has created this easy-to-follow schedule for your daily vitamin and mineral intake. We hope that this schedule provides clarification to any questions you may have about your daily vitamin requirements. As always, we recommend Bariatric Advantage® and Bariatric Fusion® products, as they are the leader in post-operative vitamin and mineral supplementation for weight loss surgery patients.
Shop Bariatric Advantage(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)Shop Bariatric Fusion(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)
Gastric Bypass & Sleeve Gastrectomy | ||
---|---|---|
Breakfast | Multivitamin Containing Iron: Do not take within 2 hrs of Calcium | |
Lunch | 1 Calcium Chewy bite 1 sublingual B12 (only need 3x/week) | |
Snack | 1 Calcium Chewy bite | |
Dinner | 1 Calcium Chewy bite |
The number of protein powders out there is a little overwhelming. Your dietitians have created a list of good quality protein powders/ready-to-drink shakes for you. You may be wondering how it decided on which protein supplements make the cut. Here are some of the items that are considered:
If you have questions about protein supplements, please contact your dietitians or download the Approved protein list on the Baritastic app OR have a link to download the document.
In preparation for surgery for those with a BMI >50, there is a 2-week pre-op diet to follow. The diet is low in fat and sugar in order to shrink the liver, which will give your surgeon a better visual of the GI tract. Solid foods are still allowed during this time. It is not a liquid only Please refer to the appointment guide that your scheduler will send you for when to start the diet.
One meal each day will be a protein shake, and it's fine to use anything on the approved protein shake handout, not just Bariatric Fusion shakes. Please let your dietitian know if you have any questions about the plan.
If you are below a BMI of 50, please do not follow the pre-op plan unless instructed to do so by your medical team.
The standard post-op diet progression is below. The phases will be discussed in detail during pre-op class and you will receive a packet with the diet information. The packets are posted to Baritastic as well.
One of the most important things to remember about your bariatric surgery journey is that you're not in it alone. Emory Johns Creek Hospital and Northside host support groups for patients and providers to connect and support one another in meeting and maintaining their goals.
Explore, connect, and find tools to help you succeed on your journey.
Unjury Cares offers two levels of support groups, which provide excellent pre-op and post-op support and education as a complement to Atlanta Bariatrics's educational program. The meetings are always FREE for patients.
Learn More(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)
Walking or recumbent bike only. Other exercises will engage your core. Limit exercise to 10-15 minutes per day. No swimming/hot tub use. In the first 2 weeks post-op, make sure to get up every hour you're awake to walk a lap around the house, which helps with gas pain and blood clots.
Most restrictions are lifted after week 6. Follow the guidelines that your surgeon provided. Aim for 150 minutes of cardio and 2-3 times per week of strength training.
Cardio examples: walking, jogging, biking, skating, swimming, dancing, kickboxing
Strength training exercises: weight lifting, resistance bands, yoga, push-ups, rowing
Until you are tolerating 3 oz of protein, 1/2 cup of vegetables/fruit, and 1/4 cup of starch, exercise should not exceed 150 minutes of aerobic activity and 2 days of strength training. Weight stalls can be caused when a person is performing vigorous exercise without being able to consume enough calories to support that workout.
The team at Atlanta Bariatrics is here to support you with educational resources at every step of your journey. Check out our blog to read the latest info on life before and after bariatric surgery.
Check out our quarterly newsletter to stay up to date with what's going on at Atlanta Bariatrics, from new technology to staffing updates.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are nutrition experts who have earned their degree from an accredited dietetics program and who completed more than 1200 hours of supervised practice, passed a national board exam, and fulfill a minimum of 75 hours of continuing education every 5 years to maintain their credentials.
Our dietitians are accessible throughout your whole weight loss journey.
Licensed in: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina
Mallory joined Atlanta Bariatrics in January 2023. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!) and completed her dietetic internship with Sodexo Dietetic Internship. Mallory is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Nutrition. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and sharing her nutrition knowledge with others. Mallory is excited to play an important role in her patients’ lives before and after surgery. She became an RD to teach people that they can still enjoy food but in a healthy way. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, exercising, and spending time with her family and friends.
Leslie joined Atlanta Bariatrics in October 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and completed her Master’s degree in nutrition at the University of Florida. She brings with her over 30 years of experience as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator helping people to reach their nutrition and health goals.
Leslie is a proud mother of 6 wonderful children, which keeps her active. In her free time, she enjoys biking, hiking, water sports, traveling, and most of all, spending quality time with family and friends. Leslie is excited to work with patients at Atlanta Bariatrics in their weight loss journey.