Welcome!
This overview will guide you through the large quantity of bariatric nutritional information and our Bari-Tec nutritional supplements.

The Bari-Tec information is based on 20+ successful years of working with bariatric patients and their nutritional needs. No guessing here.

All the nutrients in Bari-Tec products are specifically formulated for gastric bypass patients. The size of the tablets has been designed for easy swallowing and quick absorption. Nobody else is doing this.

Our guess is that you are in preop mode. Preoperation means that your surgery is tomorrow or a year from now.

Induction Period
The induction period is generally considered to be at least 30 days prior to the day of your surgery.

The information we present regarding the induction period is useful during any amount of preoperation time. (Look under System Information on the left.) There is a great deal of dietary information available there for your ongoing use.

Bariatric Nutrition Support System
We have gathered all of the supplements that you are going to need before your procedure and for a good period afterward in a support package. Protein is offered in a package as a convenience. There is a system for Greenfield filter and vena cava device (clotting safeguard) patients also.

All of the components are discussed below. Please read them. It is important.

Nutrients During Induction Period
You will be taking our Bari-Tec vitamin/mineral supplement during the preoperation or induction period. Read this web page for details.

Protein
You must be aware of the ongoing need for protein powder in your diet. You may come up short on protein from diet alone due to caloric restriction. We assume you are not lactose intolerant. If so, talk with your dietitian or other medical staff.

We recommend whey protein isolate for its fast, easy digestion. You can acquire this locally at any good health food store, drug store, etc. Ask about mixability as well.

We also offer protein powders as a convenience. Our Whey Stack Protein web page has valuable information regarding protein powder.

Potassium
You will probably need Potassium during the induction period. Your body may be depleted of this essential salt due to high water intake and excretion during this period.

Postoperation and Beyond
Immediately after your procedure, you are going to be on a clear liquid diet to give your pouch time to heal. Right after that is when you should be taking the chewable vit/min wafers. They chew to a paste and can be tolerated. (As usual, lots of information on this page.)

You may also sense that your taste buds after your surgery may be way off off the mark. In most cases this is due to the patients' diet being low on zinc and/or other nutrients.

Hence, it is all the more important to start the chewables as soon as possible. (That chocolate protein powder may suddenly taste different for a while.)

Again, you will need to be aware of the ongoing need for protein powder in your diet as you will come up short on protein from diet alone due to caloric restriction. We assume you are not lactose intolerant. If so, talk with your dietitian or other medical professional for an alternative protein source.

We have soy protein and egg protein available as an alternative protein source.

This will be for about 30 days. After that, you will switch over to the Bari-Tec Long Term. The Long-Term will be your mainstay supplement for life.

Greenfield Filter Or Other Vena Cava Device?
Note that if you have a Greenfield filter or other vena cava device, you will be advised to continue on the Bari-Tec vitamin/mineral as your mainstay supplement for life.

Postoperation Diet Guidelines
The following will step you through diet readjustment while allowing your "new plumbing" to heal and introduce you to some great food!