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post-op bariatric diet

With bariatric surgery, you’ll learn a whole new, healthy way of eating. You will not be hungry, and you’ll be successful with your weight loss. It’s all about a healthy lifestyle and being happy. In short, you’ll love it!
Phase 1

clear liquids days 1 and 2

Water, dilute juice, sugar free jello, sugar-free popsicles and tea, Crystal Light, broth, unsweetened or artificially sweetened decaf tea or coffee, vitamin water, nestle splash, Bai, Powerade/Gatorade zero, Propel, Mio, low-calorie beverages (<10 calories per 8 ounces)
Phase 2

drinkable full liquids days 3-14

Thin yogurt, low-fat creamy soups, milk (Skim or 1%), protein shakes (15-30 grams protein, < 15 grams sugar), smoothies, BariWise and Pantry Selections (pourable, without chunks soups)
Phase 3

pureed foods weeks 3 and 4 (and maybe 5)

Runny eggs, low-sugar apple sauce, cottage cheese, pureed meats and fish, refried beans, and anything you can puree to the consistency of baby food
Phase 4

regular foods one month and beyond

Start with soft, healthy foods including fish, canned chicken or tuna, soups, veggies, and beans. Only try one new food at a time, and go very slowly. Small bites. Small amounts. Emphasize protein. Initially, avoid chewier or drier meat, such as chicken breast and steak.
Note that for the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, there are some differences in the progression of the diet, and some foods which are off limits. The band diet is more restrictive than the sleeve and bypass diet. These differences will be discussed with you if you elect to have the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band.

eating tips after bariatric surgery

Download Checklist
  • Do not drink liquids during meals. Wait 30 minutes after eating to drink again.
  • Chew, chew, chew.
  • Eat slowly. Take 30 minutes to eat your meal.
  • Choose proteins first, then fats and carbs.
  • Grazing and snacking, poor food choices at meals, and not exercising can sabotage your weight loss.
  • Initially, breads are difficult to eat unless toasted.
  • Sugar free doesn’t mean calorie free. And there’s no such thing as diet ice cream.
  • Sugar, simple carbs, and starchy foods can cause the dumping syndrome. High fat or greasy foods can cause immediate diarrhea.
  • Avoid carbonated drinks. It will cause discomfort and excess gas.
  • Avoid gulping and swallowing air when you eat. Otherwise, you may have discomfort and a lot of gas.
  • Some medications may need to be chewable, crushed, or converted to liquid or capsule forms in the first month after bariatric surgery. In general, if the pill is small enough to fit into a regular sized straw, you can just swallow it.
  • Initially, use chewable or liquid vitamins and calcium. But don’t forget to change to regular, adult multivitamins and calcium within 2 months after surgery.
  • Go to a support group. Other patients understand the changes in your life and can help you.

vitamins and mineral supplements

Patients will need to take supplements every day for the rest of your life to prevent deficiencies. For the first 4 weeks after surgery, supplements need to be chewable, liquid, powder, crushed, or crumbled.

Multivitamin should include:

  • Thiamine
  • 400mcg folic acid
  • 8mg Iron Zinc
  • Calcium Citrate* + Vitamin D = make sure to get at least 1200-1500mg of calcium citrate + 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.
    • – If your serving of calcium citrate is 600mg, take it 2 times a day.
    • – If your serving of calcium of citrate is 500mg, take it 3 times a day.

*Calcium is taken 2-3 times a day because your body can only absorb 500-600mg at a time. Separate calcium doses by at least 2 hours.

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