If you met with one of our dietitians, Sharon George or Rachel Daniels, prior to surgery, you were given a full package of materials regarding the postop diet. Please follow these instructions to the best of your ability.
Post-Op Diet
Stage I: Bariatric Liquid Diet
Patients will be on the stage I diet in the hospital and some will remain on the diet after surgery, as per their surgeon. This stage includes low-sugar, non-carbonated liquids.
- You will be brought a tray with water, tea, broth, and/or sugar-free Gatorade.
- Low-sugar, non-carbonated drinks include Crystal Light, Diet Snapple, & Vitamin Water Zero.
- Sugar-free Jell-O and popsicles are also allowed.
- Drink 3 NYBG protein drinks a day (about 15-20 grams of protein each) to reach the goal of 60 grams of protein.
- Use a cup to drink. Avoid sipping from the bottle or using straws – this can make you swallow too much air and cause gas.
Stage II Foods
- Skim or 1% milk, low fat cottage cheese, low-fat plain yogurt, low-fat ricotta cheese
- Chicken, vegetable, or beef broth (without noodles, vegetables, or chunks)
- Ground meat and poultry like turkey, chicken, veal, or pork
- Eggs or egg whites, in all forms, as long as they are not dried out, and can be mashed with a fork
- White flakey fish, like tilapia, cod, or flounder
- Pureed chicken and vegetable soup, especially if experiencing constipation
- Sugar-free popsicles, jello, puddings or fudgesicles
Be Sure to Avoid
- Carbonated drinks – these will stretch your stomach and give you gas pains!
- Creamy soups – these are high in fat and calories!
- Reheating foods in the microwave – the microwave will alter the consistency of food
Important Points
- Chew well, eat food slowly.
- Make sure protein is moist and in small pieces.
- No eating and drinking at the same time. Drink your fluids between meals and up until the meal. Wait 30 minutes after the meal to resume drinking.
Vitamins and Minerals
- Multivitamin: Take 1 chewable vitamin (e.g. NYBG.) daily. These are best taken with food.
- Calcium: Take our recommended Calcium Citrate Lozenges four times a day, 1 with breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.
Note: A BMI of 30 – 34.9 or BMI 35 – 39.9 with no comorbidities qualify for lap band but is usually not covered by insurance.
Stage III: Bariatric Regular Diet. Start When Stage II Has Been Tolerated for 1 Month.
If you tolerated the Stage II diet well, you will gradually advance to the Stage III solid diet. This will be discussed at your one-month post-op visit. Stage III emphasizes moist protein foods. Introduce one solid food item a day and pay close attention to how your body tolerates these new foods. Discuss removing the protein shakes at your one month follow-up visit.
3 meals and one 75 calorie snack per day to reach your protein goal of 60-75 grams
Hydration and Fluids
It is crucial to remain hydrated after surgery. No sugary beverages are allowed, including juices, soda, and sweet tea. Limit caffeine to 12-16 oz. per day.
Drink 8-10 glasses (64-80 oz.) of non-caffeinated, non-carbonated, sugar-free fluids per day.
Acceptable Fluids
- Water
- Crystal light, Mio
- Hint water, flavored waters
- Diet Snapple
- Decaf coffee/tea
- Vitamin water zero, Propel
- Non-fat or 1% milk
- Unsweetened almond or soy milk
