Patient education: Diet after weight loss surgery (The Basics)

Why do I need to change how I eat after weight loss surgery? — After weight loss surgery, your stomach is smaller. This means that it holds much less food. Because of this, you will feel full very quickly after eating.

Some types of weight loss surgery can cause problems with how your body absorbs nutrients. This can lead to "nutritional deficiencies." This means that your body is missing important nutrients.

You will work with your doctor or nurse to make a healthy eating plan. They will probably also recommend working with a dietitian (food expert). The right eating plan will give you enough nutrients, and help you heal and lose weight.

What can I eat and drink after weight loss surgery? — It's important to follow the diet plan that your doctor gave you.

Below is a sample diet for after weight loss surgery. Yours might be different, based on the type of surgery you had. Your doctor will tell you how long to eat each type of food after your surgery.

●Ice chips and water – Most people are allowed to have ice chips and sips of water right after surgery.

●Clear liquids – The next step is to drink other clear liquids that do not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Examples of clear liquids include:

•Beef, chicken, or vegetable broth

•Decaffeinated coffee or tea

•Low-calorie sports drinks

•Sugar-free gelatin, ice pops, or flavored water (without bubbles)

Start by drinking 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 mL) of liquids every 15 minutes. Then, gradually increase how much you drink until you can drink 4 to 6 ounces (240 to 360 mL) each hour.

The goal is to drink at least 48 to 64 ounces (1.4 to 1.9 liters) each day.

Most people are able to go home from the hospital when they can tolerate clear liquids.

●Full liquids – After you are tolerating clear liquids, you will start full liquids. This means that you can have everything included in clear liquids and add other types of liquids. Your doctor might also want you to add protein supplements so you are getting enough protein each day.

Try to drink 48 to 64 ounces (1.4 to 1.9 liters) each day. Half of this amount should be clear liquids, and half can be full liquids.

Examples of full liquids include:

•Skim or low-fat (1 percent) milk

•Fortified sugar-free, non-dairy milks, such as pea, soy, or high-protein almond

•Other liquid dairy products that are low fat or fat free and sugar free, like yogurt or pudding

•Protein powder (whey, soy, or isolate) dissolved in milk or water (limit to 25 to 30 grams protein per serving)

•Pre-made, low-sugar protein shakes and dairy supplements (sample brand names: Ensure, Boost)

•Strained cream soups

•Vegetable juices

●Soft, solid foods – Most doctors will have you add soft, solid foods to your eating plan between 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will slowly start to replace full liquids with soft, moist, diced, ground, or pureed foods, especially proteins. This means that you can have everything included in clear and full liquids and add other types of soft solid foods. Continue to drink plenty of clear liquids to stay hydrated.

Examples of soft solid foods include:

•Lean meats, poultry, seafood, and proteins:

-Eggs

-Ground meats (you might need to add gravy or bouillon to moisten them)

-Creamy peanut butter, natural and low sugar

-Tofu

-Thin-sliced, tender meat, poultry, or fish moistened with gravy or sauce

-Casseroles with small chunks of meat

•Dairy:

-Low-fat cottage cheese and other cheeses

-Sugar-free pudding

-Low-fat, low-sugar frozen yogurt and smooth yogurts (without nuts or whole pieces of fruit)

Slowly add in other foods as you are able. Examples include:

•Grains:

-Toast

-Mashed or baked potatoes and sweet potatoes

-Well-moistened cooked and dry cereals

-Pasta and noodles

-Rice and wild rice (check with your doctor before eating this)

•Vegetables:

-Cooked, tender vegetables

-Shredded iceberg lettuce

•Fruit:

-Fruits canned in water or their own juice

-Cooked fruits

-Soft, peeled fresh fruits like peaches, nectarines, kiwi, mangoes, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon without seeds (check with your doctor before eating this)

-Soft berries with small seeds like strawberries (check with your doctor before eating this)

•Fats and oils:

-Limited amounts of high-fat condiments like mayonnaise

●Healthy, solid food diet – Once your incisions have healed, you can slowly add in foods with a firmer texture. This is usually 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. You should also:

•Continue to drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated. It might be easier to take small sips more often throughout the day. Do not gulp or use straws.

•Stop eating when you feel full.

•Try to eat healthy foods. These include protein, low-fat or non-fat dairy or dairy alternatives, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

If you cannot tolerate the amount of food in a regular meal, continue to eat smaller meals more often.

What foods and drinks should I avoid after weight loss surgery? — Some foods are harder to digest and might cause problems.

●Avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar.

●Avoid drinks with bubbles.

●Avoid raw vegetables.

●Avoid "fibrous" vegetables like corn, celery, broccoli, and cabbage.

●Avoid nuts and seeds, including popcorn.

●Avoid tough meats and meats with gristle.

●Avoid spicy foods.

●Avoid liquid foods that are high in calories, such as ice cream.

What else should I know?

●Your doctor might have you take vitamins and supplements after surgery. These might be liquid or chewable.

●Include a protein-rich food at each meal. Always eat your protein food first.

●Eat slowly, and pay attention to how you feel as you eat. Chew your food well.

●Eat 3 to 6 times each day. You might only be able to eat a few spoonfuls at each meal or snack. Overeating can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

●Add new foods in small amounts to your diet. If you have trouble with a food, try it again in a few weeks.

●Avoid drinking liquids with your meals. Try to wait 30 minutes after eating before you drink fluids.

More on this topic

Patient education: Weight loss surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Weight loss treatments (The Basics)
Patient education: Care after weight loss surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Diet and health (The Basics)
Patient education: Health risks of obesity (The Basics)

Patient education: Weight loss surgery and procedures (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diet and health (Beyond the Basics)