What to eat after weight loss surgery?

Clinic Hunter

What to eat after weight loss surgery

Bariatric patients get strict guidelines and diet plans for several weeks following the surgery. These guidelines may slightly differ depending on the surgery type.

However, the usual diet for bariatric patients consists of 4 stages:

• Stage 1: only clear liquids are allowed (e.g. water, broth, sugar-free gelatin)
• Stage 2: full liquids are allowed (e.g. milk products and protein shakes), this step is introduced 1-3 days after surgery and lasts up to 2-3 weeks
• Stage 3: soft diet (e.g. puréed vegetables and fruits, hummus, scrambled eggs, puréed meat products, cottage cheese, )
• Stage 4: a regular balanced diet, it is introduced about 7-8 weeks after the surgery

The recommendations regarding diet after weight loss surgery include:

• staying hydrated (drinking at least 1,5 liters of water daily is advised)
• taking small bites and chewing each one thoroughly
• avoiding eating in a rush
• observing the body reaction to the introduced products
• eating and drinking at the same time should be avoided (we suggest not to drink at least 30 minutes before and after meal)
• choosing food rich in proteins
• eating fatty food, fast-food, sugary drinks and other food with empty calories is forbidden
• avoiding white bread and rice for the first 4 months after surgery
• increasing daily activity gradually.