Your Diet Following Bariatric Surgery

Stage I

Clear Liquids

The first stage of the gastric bypass diet is a clear liquid diet, and usually will last during your hospital stay. You will start with sips of water and then progress to apple, cranberry or grape juice, diet gelatin, clear broth and decaffeinated tea. In addition you will receive protein with your meals. These liquids should be taken in small amounts, with a total amount of no more than 20 ounces every 15 minutes for total of 80 ounces per hour. All liquids should be non-carbonated, since carbonation can put pressure on your new small pouch.

Stage II

Low Fat Full Liquids

Once you can tolerate clear liquids without difficultly, you can begin to add full liquids to your diet. Foods such as low fat milk (cow or soy), No Sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast, unsweetened applesauce or baby food fruit, low fat strained cream soups, Cream of Wheat or Cream of Rice cereal, “Lite” smooth yogurt or plain yogurt are good examples to try. Everything you eat must be smooth (no lumps or seeds). Each meal should not be any larger than about ½ cup with a gradual increase to ¾ cup. We suggest that you follow this stage for 3 weeks after your surgery.

Stage III

Pureed

After 3 weeks on the full liquid diet you may eat a pureed or blended diet. It is very important that your choices have the consistency of baby food. Examples of food in this category are, milk, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, mashed potato, low fat cottage or ricotta cheese, pureed vegetables and fruit, tofu, pureed fish and beans. Your protein powder still remains an important part of your meals. Remember that the average person should eat between 70-90 grams of protein per day. Always eat the protein of your meal first. Bread, pasta and rice are NOT advisable at this point. They are gummy and form a ball in your pouch. Some people can tolerate crackers (saltine type). Your fluids and vitamins and minerals remain important. You are on this diet for 3 weeks.

Take your protein supplement between meals.

Stage IV

About six weeks after your surgery, your diet will expand to include solid food. You should follow a low fat diet and it must be eaten in VERY SMALL PORTIONS. Remember you still must avoid high sugar food, chew your food well, stop at the first sign of fullness, and drink your fluids separately from your meals. We suggest that you still avoid certain foods, as they are difficult to digest. They include tough meat, stringy vegetables, membranes of oranges and grapefruit, skins of fruits and vegetables, coconut, seeds and nuts. You may still need to use protein powder if you are not able to eat enough protein. As always fluids, vitamins and minerals must continue. Total size of meals should be about 1 cup.

Food You May Not Be Able To Eat

Food intolerances vary from person to person. Here are some ideas on how to deal with certain foods.

  1. Tough meat – Use a marinade or tenderizer
  2. Fresh bread – Toast slices
  3. Stringy vegetables – Use a blender and strainer to separate undigestible fiber
  4. Membranes of oranges and grapefruit – Remove them
  5. Skins of fruits and vegetables – Peel apples, pears, and potatoes
  6. Coconut – Avoid altogether
  7. Dairy products – Use soy milk or low lactose milk
  8. Concentrated sugars – Use sugar-free alternatives