Post-Operative Diet Information

There are a number of significant changes that must be made in your diet after weight loss surgery. This may be one of the biggest adjustments you will have to make after surgery. In this section, we will outline the different stages of food restrictions post-operatively, inform you of what to expect from a dietary and digestive prospective and teach you about new eating habits you will need to maintain for the rest of your life.

After surgery, it is necessary to prepare the new stomach for normal foods by using a food progression. Although each person is different in terms of healing and tolerances, the general progression from clear liquids to normal foods may last anywhere from 1.5 to two months. There may be certain foods difficult to tolerate, such as fatty foods, sweets, lactose and red meat.

Below, we break down this general progression.

Stage	Diet Instructions
Stage 1 This diet may last three to five days after surgery depending on your acceptance and tolerance of clear liquids. During this stage, small amounts of clear liquids will be consumed. You will have to sip liquids slowly – not to exceed four ounces per 30 minutes – with the goal of 48 to 64 ounces daily.	Clear liquids Includes: Water Diluted juices Low-fat broth Decaffeinated tea Decaffeinated coffee Sugar-free Jell-o Sugar-free popsicles Diabetishield Isopure **carbonated beverages are prohibited
Stage 2 This diet may last two to seven days after surgery depending on your acceptance and tolerance of clear and full liquids. During this stage, liquid nutritional supplements and other liquids are introduced slowly. This diet contains lactose that is sometimes not tolerated well after surgery. If you cannot tolerate a liquid/food, eliminate it and try it again in one to two weeks.	Full liquids Includes: Protein shakes Strained creamed soups V-8 juice Thinned Cream of Wheat No-sugar-added instant breakfast drinks Sugar-free pudding Artificial sweeteners (Equal, Splenda, etc.) Plus, continue: Clear liquid diet Start taking (one week after surgery): Chewable vitamins Calcium B12 supplements Avoid: Spicy foods Caffeine Carbonated beverages High-sugar beverages (more than five grams of sugar per serving)
Stage 3 Depending on how you tolerate full liquids, you may be able to start small amounts of blended foods one week after surgery. This diet may last up to three to four weeks depending on your acceptance and tolerance. During this stage, you will introduce about a quarter cup of solid/semi-solid foods at each meal with small amounts of liquids in between meals, not with meals. This diet includes blended foods that can be made in a blender or food processor (with a 50/50 ratio of solid food to added liquid) and can be used immediately or frozen and used later.	Pureed/blended foods (stage two baby food consistency) Includes: Mashed potatoes Pureed vegetables Sugar-free applesauce Cottage cheese Soft scrambled eggs Smooth peanut butter Pureed meats Plus, continue: Clear liquids Full liquids (especially protein supplements) All vitamin/mineral supplements Avoid: Seeds Fiber Crunchy foods Syrups Spicy foods Caffeine Carbonated beverages High-fat beverages/foods High-sugar beverages/foods
Stage 4 Depending on how you tolerate blended foods, you may be able to tolerate whole soft, low fiber foods within about three to four weeks after surgery. At the first post-surgery appointment with the Registered Dietitian, together you will review these foods and include some into your meal plan. During this stage, you will introduce about a third cup of solid/semi-solid foods at each meal with small amounts of liquids in between meals. Slowly add new foods as tolerated. If a certain food is not tolerated, eliminate that food and reintroduce again in a few weeks.	Soft cooked foods Includes: Boiled/soft baked chicken/fish Well-cooked vegetables Soft fruits Pasta Toast Low-fat crackers Plus, continue: Clear liquids Full liquids (especially protein supplements) All vitamin/mineral supplements Pureed/blended foods (as tolerated) Avoid: Raw vegetables Skins Seeds Nuts Hulls Spicy foods Caffeine Carbonated beverages High-fat beverages/foods High-sugar beverages/foods
Stage 5 Once you have reached this stage, it will be important to follow new dietary guidelines and eating habits for life. Remember, it is possible to “out-eat” the pouch! In general, you will need to eat smaller meals. Make sure to get your protein foods first, and then choose vegetables and fruit if you are not full. Limit or avoid foods listed in the “foods you will need to eliminate” section listed under Foods you will need to eliminate. Take very small bites and chew your food slowly and thoroughly. Remember to consume at least 48 to 64 ounce of liquids per day, preferably water. You may wish to carry a water bottle with you to maintain the 48- to 64-ounce/day healthy habit. Drink your liquids between meals only, not during.	Life-long healthy eating Includes: Raw foods gradually as tolerated Alcohol (six months after surgery, limited and to be used very cautiously) Plus, continue: Protein supplements All vitamin/mineral supplements Avoid: High-fat beverages/foods High-sugar beverages/foods Caffeine Carbonated beverages Other foods personally unable to tolerate Read an article about the emotional side of eating and how it will affect life-long healthy eating.

More post-operative diet information:
Nutritional Concerns
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Sample Menus
Recipes

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