Dietary guidelines post bariatric surgery

Bariatric Diet and Lifestyle

Lifelong lifestyle Changes

Starting today, you agree to: 

• Eat 3 meals a day. 
• Eat protein and a carbohydrate choice at each meal. Eat your protein first. 
• Take 30 minutes to eat your meal.
• Chew your food to a pureed/mush consistency. This takes 20 to 30 chews.
• Eat nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean meats. 
• Do not eat calorie-dense foods such as chips, cookies, crackers, ice cream, fried food, candy, hot dogs, brats, and bologna. 
• Do not eat non-nutrient-dense foods such as pretzels, rice cakes, and animal crackers. 
• Eat 3 milk snacks each day. 
• Do not drink carbonated fluids such as pop, juice, or alcohol. Carbonation can cause stomach pain. These rinks have extra calories and sugar that is not needed. 
• Drink 6 or more cups of plain water a day. You may drink 8oz of unsweetened coffee or tea per day. Do not drink anything with citric acid.
• Do not drink fluids 30 minutes before meals, with meals, or for 30 minutes after meals. 
• Do not use tobacco or nicotine products. It slows down healing and can lead to complications. 
• Exercise 30 minutes or more a day. 
• Keep detailed food and activity records (bubble sheets). Bring them to each dietitian appointment. 
• Do not use straws. Air bubbles form in your new pouch and can cause pain. 
• The first 3 months after surgery, do not eat acidic or citrus foods such as tomatoes, lemon, orange, or lime. 

Dietary Information 

Learning how and what to eat before, during, and after bariatric surgery is a large par of your patient education. You must follow these guidelines from your surgeon and dietitian to be sure you get proper nutrition and do not have complications. You will have the best weight loss and surgery outcomes if you closely follow the nutrition, vitamin, and mineral supplementation and exercise recommendations. 

Bariatric diet progression 

Bariatric Surgery Full Liquid Diet

You will be on a full liquid diet days 2 to 14 after your surgery. Full liquids are foods that are normally liquid and foods that turn into liquid when they are at room temperature.

You need to:

• Drink six 8 oz glasses of water each day. Take 5 to 15 minutes to drink 1 oz.
• Do not wait 30 minutes before or after meal to drink fluids. Sip throughout the day. 
• Stop eating when you are full!
• Start taking vitamin and mineral supplements after your 1 week follow-up visit, as ordered.
• Follow all of the "Lifestyle Changes."

*can flavor milks with Peanut Butter Powder, sugar-free chocolate syrup or sugar-free hot coco mix

Full liquid food ideas:

• Sugar- free pudding (make with Fairlife or add collagen protein powder or non-fat dry milk powder for extra protein)
• Cream soups (celery, mushroom, chicken, broccoli, ect.)
• Homemade blended liquid soups (ex. Butternut squash soup, Carrot ginger soup)
• Sugar-free popsicle (limit 1 per day)
• Lite yogurt (no fruit chunks)
• Other blended strained soups 

Recipes

Roasted carrot ginger soup 

• 1 1.2 pounds (lbs) carrots, peeled and halves lengthwise
• 1 lb parsnips, peeled and quartered lengthwise
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) ginger
• 2 cups dry milk 
• 8 cups chicken broth 
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• Brown sugar 

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F.
2. Put the carrots, parsnips, onion, and ginger in a shallow roasting pan.
3. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
4. Pour 2 cups of broth into the pan and cover well with foil.
5. Bake until the vegetables are very tender (about 2 hours).
6. Put the baked vegetables and broth to a large pot.
7. Add the last 6 cups of broth, salt, and cayenne pepper. 
8. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and let it simmer partially covered for 10 minutes. 
9. Puree the soup in a blender or food processor, adding 2 cups nonfat dry milk.
10. Put the soup back into the pot, adjust seasonings, and heat through. 

Cream Soup 

• 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 tsp chicken or beef bouillon 

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients and add hot water to equal 1 cup. 

Butternut Squash Soup

• 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) vegetable oil
•  1 each butternut squash
• 2 cup dry milk
• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 each medium sweet potato
• 2 each large golden delicious apples
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 each medium white onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup fat free buttermilk
• Pinch pepper

Directions: 

1. Peel potato, onion, apple, and squash. Cut it into 1/4 inch chunks. 
2. Heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium heat in a large saucepan or stock pot. 
3. Stir in onion and garlic until tender. 
4. Add broth, potato, apple, squash, and seasoning. Stir well. 
5. Lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender (about 20 minutes). 
6. Puree soup in a blender until nicely pureed. 
7. While pureeing add 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of buttermilk, and 1 cup dry milk. 
8. Serve hot or chilled.

Bariatric Surgery Soft Diet

You will be on a soft diet days 31 to 60 after your surgery. You will start this diet after your 1 month follow-up visit.

You need to:

• Chew foods to a pureed consistency (chew 20 to 30 times before swallowing).
• Slowly add soft foods to your meals and snacks.
• Take 30 minutes to eat.
• Eat 3 milk snacks per day and 3 soft food meals.
• Drink six 8 oz glasses of water each day, working up to eight 8oz glasses.
• Stop eating when you are full!
• Take vitamin and mineral supplements as ordered.
• Start doing strength-building exercise in your daily routine, such as strength and aerobics for 60 minutes each day.

*Can flavor milks with Peanut Butter Powder, sugar-free chocolate syrup or sugar-free hot coco mix

* Not all foods listed, see Choose Your Foods book for more food choices.

Bariatric  Surgery General Diet

You will be on a general bariatric diet for the rest of your life starting day 61 after your surgery. 

You need to:

• Chew food to pureed consistency (chew 20 to 30 times before swallowing).
• Eat lean foods, such as baked, broiled, grilled, or steamed foods. 
• Drink eight 8-oz glasses of water each day.
• Take vitamin and mineral supplements as ordered.
• Keep doing strength and aerobic exercise for 60 minutes or more each day.

* can flavor milk with Peanut Butter Powder. sugar-free chocolate syrup or sugar-free hot coco mix

* Not all foods listed, see Choose Your Foods book for more food choices.