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Practicing these eating rules before surgery, and continuing to follow them after surgery will help you lose the weight and keep it off for the rest of your life:

Top 10 Eating Rules

1. Eat protein first

Protein promotes healing, helps you feel satisfied, and helps boost your metabolism to burn more calories.

2. Avoid snacking or grazing

Eating high-calorie snacks between meals contributes excessive calories which can impede your weight loss efforts.

3. Take small bites

Use small plates, dishes and utensils to encourage you to eat smaller amounts. Take only one bite at a time, wait a minute between bites.

4. Chew your food thoroughly

Your small stomach pouch has less digestive juices to break down foods, especially meats. Be sure to chew food into a paste consistency.

5. Eat slowly – make your meals last at least 20-30 minutes

This is how long it takes for your brain to get the message that you are full. Take time to savor your food.

6. Focus on what you are eating

When you’re distracted you may eat more without realizing it, or eat something you shouldn’t. Pay attention to what and how you’re eating.

7. Do not drink fluids with meals, but get plenty of fluids between meals

Drinking fluids with meals washes the food out of the stomach pouch too soon, which can result in earlier hunger. Remember to take sips, do not gulp!

8. Avoid "empty" calories

Refined starches, sugars, excessive fats and alcohol contribute a lot of calories but few nutrients.

9. Choose nutrient-dense, low calorie foods

Lean meats, fat free dairy foods, vegetables, legumes and fruit give you the most nutrition for the fewest calories.

10. Take your supplements

Due to the reduced volume of food you can consume, even the best of diets won’t be able to meet all your nutrient needs.