Gastric Bypass Post Op Diet
Your commitment to a planned gastric bypass post op diet is the most important part of the weight loss surgery treatment. The gastric bypass diet you follow will determine your ability to control your weight for the rest of your life.
For this reason, it is critical that you understand how to progress through the 4 different stages over the course of the next few months. You will start with clear liquids and gradually transition to solid foods.
With Jet Medical Tourism® by your side at each stage, you will increase your chances of safe and successful weight loss. Please note it is very important that you keep all of your follow-up appointments with our nutritionist after surgery.
4 Stage Gastric Bypass Post Op Diet
- Stage 1: Clear Liquid Diet – Days 1-3
- Stage 2: Full Liquid Diet – Days 4-10
- Stage 3: Soft Food Diet – Days 11-30
- Stage 4: Solid Food Diet – Day 31 and beyond
Stage 1: Clear Liquid Gastric Bypass Diet (Days 1-3)
Your goal after gastric bypass surgery is to stay hydrated and to allow your stomach to heal. Clear liquids must be plain or sugar-free. In general, clear liquids are liquids that you can see through.
Avoid: Alcohol, caffeine, carbonated and sugary beverages.
Fluid Type: Calorie-free, sugar-free, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquids.
Fluid Goal: 2 oz per hour.
Cold Liquids: Water, smart water, crystal light, green tea, sugar-free Jell-O, sugar-free juices (apple juice, white grape juice, cranberry juice and strained lemonade).
Hot Liquids: Low-sodium chicken, vegetable or beef broth (fat-free or low-fat) bouillon, or consomme.
Tip: Sip slowly, stop sipping as soon as you feel full and do not use straws because they introduce air into your system.
Important. Try to avoid vomiting which can lead to staple line problems. Nausea, constipation and diarrhea are common symptoms at this stage.
Stage 2: Full Liquid Gastric Bypass Diet (Days 4-10)
Continue with the Stage 1 diet, but focus more on your protein intake. Start by having high-protein, low-sugar shakes for most of your meals. Add water or skim milk to your shake mix.
Diet Plan: Consume only full liquids.
Instructions: Please record the amount of protein shakes and clear liquid fluids that you drink daily.
Vitamins: Start taking your daily multivitamins and calcium supplements.
Avoid: Alcohol, caffeine, carbonated and sugary beverages.
Protein Goal: 60-80 grams per day (about 5-6 protein shakes containing 8 oz each).
Protein Shakes: Try to drink an 8 oz protein shake every 2.5 hours starting at 8:00 AM.
Fluid Goal: At minimum 6-8 cups (48-64 oz) per day of sugar-free, calorie-free, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquid. Your protein shakes are not included in this fluid count.
Frozen Liquids: Sugar-free gelatin or sugar-free popsicles.
Cold Liquids: Water, smart water, crystal light, green tea, sugar-free juices (apple juice, white grape juice, cranberry juice and strained lemonade).
Hot Liquids: Low-sodium chicken, vegetable or beef broth (fat-free or low-fat) bouillon, or consomme.
Tip: Sip slowly, stop sipping as soon as you feel full and do not use straws because they introduce air into your system.
Important. Most protein shakes contain artificial sweeteners so talk with a nutritionist for an alternative if you are allergic. If you are lactose intolerant, ask us for the Top 5 recommended brands of protein shakes (contain lactose or lactose-free), multivitamin and calcium supplements so you can stock your pantry.
Stage 3: Soft Food Gastric Bypass Diet (Days 11-30)
Stage 3 of the gastric bypass diet gradually re-introduces soft food to your system. Generally, we recommend that you prepare one new solid food per meal (i.e., plant-based protein patties, mashed potatoes, etc). Work on eating as much protein as you can while staying hydrated.
Diet Plan: Focus on preparing soft foods high in protein.
Instructions: Continue to record your food consumption to ensure adequate protein and fluid intake.
Vitamins: Continue to take your daily multivitamins and calcium supplements.
Avoid: Alcohol, caffeine, carbonated and sugary beverages
Protein Goal: 60-80 grams per day from soft food combinations.
Fluid Goal: 64 oz (8 cups) per day of sugar-free, calorie-free, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquid.
Tip: Focus on eating as much protein as you can. Do not force yourself to eat if you feel full. Continue to chew food slowly and thoroughly. Your digestive system might still be sensitive to spicy foods or dairy products. If you’d like to eat these foods during Stage 3, add them into your diet slowly and in small amounts.
Soft food can include:
- Soup
- Canned chicken, tuna and salmon mixed with light mayo
- Cottage cheese, low fat
- Diced tuna or chicken
- Turkey meatloaf and turkey chili
- Scrambled eggs
- Steamed carrots, mashed potato
- Fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- Oatmeal
- You can now blend your protein with yogurt and nonfat milk
To puree your foods, choose solid foods that will blend well:
- Lean ground meats
- Beans
- Fish
- Egg whites
- Fat-free or fat-free light yogurt
- Puree fruits and vegetables
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Part-skim ricotta cheese
Blend the solid food with a liquid:
- Water
- Fat-free milk
- Juice with no sugar added
- Broth
- Fat-free gravy
Avoid these foods during Stage 3 Gastric Bypass Diet:
- Sugary beverages such as juice
- Starch foods such as bread, pasta, rice, and raw fruits
- Ground beef, lobster, scallops, shrimp, or steak
- Fibrous vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, celery, or raw leafy greens
Important. It is important to re-introduce one soft food at a time per meal. This allows your body to adjust to and identify which foods may cause gas, upset stomach, or diarrhea. If you can not keep food down, protein shakes are a good alternative. You should eat foods that have the consistency of smooth puree. There should not be any solid pieces of food in Stage 3 of the post op gastric sleeve diet because your stomach has not healed entirely. Remember to wait at least 30 minutes to drink fluid after your meal.
Stage 4: Solid Food Gastric Bypass Diet (Day 31 and Beyond)
This stage of the gastric bypass post op diet re-introduces solid food to your body. Remember to eat slowly and chew food well because your stomach is still healing. Your body needs to get the proper amount of protein during stage 4 so plan meals carefully.
Instructions: Continue to record your food consumption to ensure adequate protein and fluid intake.
Vitamins: Continue to take your daily multivitamins and calcium supplements.
Calorie Goal: 1,000-1,400 calories per day.
Protein Goal: 60-80 grams per day from different combinations of solid food.
Fluid Goal: 64 oz (8 cups) per day of sugar-free, calorie-free, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquid.
Important information for gastric bypass post op diet patients:
- Stick to a “schedule” of eating.
- Do your best to eat as much protein as you can.
- Take your time eating.
- Chew food slowly and thoroughly.
- Do not over eat and never force food down.
- Protein shakes – continue to have them with one of your meals (ex, lunch or nighttime snack).
- Chicken or beef – make sure it is cooked, moist and grounded or finally deiced.
- Fish – you can eat any type, but be careful with bones.
- Vegetables – make sure they are cooked soft and chew them thoroughly.
- Sweet potatoes are full of nutrients and a smart choice.
Avoid these foods as they may cause GI problems:
- Breads
- Desserts
- Dried fruits
- Fast foods
- Fried foods
- Granola
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Seeds
- Sodas and carbonated beverages
- Stringy or fibrous vegetables, such as celery, broccoli, corn or cabbage
- Tough meats or meats with gristle
Return to Normal Food. 3 to 4 months after gastric bypass surgery in Mexico, you may be able to return to a normal diet. It’s possible foods that initially irritated your stomach after surgery may become more tolerable as it continues to heal. It is very important to eat the right food and stick to a planned eating schedule.
Patient Guide to Gastric Bypass Surgery