What do I eat after Bariatric Surgery?

We tell you what foods you should eat after surgery.

Congrats on your Bariatric Surgery!

To ensure a good result and the beginning of a new life, here's what do you need to do after Bariatric Surgery (talk to your Doctor because each case is different):

Stage one: liquid diet

You will only be allowed to drink crystal clear liquids for the first day or days after surgery. As soon as you can tolerate crystal clear liquids, you can start drinking other liquids, such as:

Tea or coffee without caffeine
Unsweetened juice
Lactose-free milk
Sugar-free gelatin
Light soup and broth

Stage two: pureed diet

After a week of fluid tolerance, you can start with pureed foods. Eat small, frequent meals (three to six small meals a day). Eat slowly to avoid stomach problems.

Choose foods that can be pureed, such as:

Fruits: apple, pears, peaches, apricots, pineapples, bananas, melons
Vegetables: carrot, spinach, tomato juice, summer squash, green beans
Proteins: chicken, beef, turkey, white fish, yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, white scrambled eggs

Stage three: soft diet

After a few weeks on a puree diet, and with your doctor's approval, you can add bland foods to your diet, small portions of food, soft and easy to chew. Eat slowly.

Soft foods include:

Rice
Canned fruits, seedless
Whitefish
Grilled vegetables without skin
Boiled eggs
Poultry
Lean ground beef
Cooked or dry cereal

Stage four: stabilization

About eight weeks after your surgery, your doctor may send you a new diet. Remember to eat three small meals a day and stop eating before feeling full. Talk to your doctor about which diet is best for you.

Foods that can cause problems at this stage are:

Fried food
Spicy
Bread
Carbonated drinks
Vegetables with fiber, such as broccoli, celery, cabbage, or corn
Red meat
Nuts and seeds
Popcorn

General guidelines for the postoperative diet

Avoid falling into a nutritional deficiency; take supplements and talk to your doctor about it.

Following are some measures that you should take into account:

Drink water; you must stay hydrated.
Drink fluids between meals, not with meals
Choose foods and drinks low in fat and sugar.
Eat foods rich in protein and vitamins.
Do not consume alcohol.
Limit caffeine
Chew well and slowly; take your time.

A new life!

You might feel amazing; this is the right time to start an exercise program. But first, your body needs to heal, so go slow.

Talk to your doctor about certain exercises that you can start practicing, such as yoga, going for a walk, or certain activities you could do without complications.

Congratulations and welcome to the new you!

When should you see a doctor?

In case of stomach pain or other discomforts, it is essential to consult a bariatric specialist. A professional's support in this area will be necessary and beneficial to have a better quality of life.

When consulting your Bariatrician, try to keep a record of your pain with a detailed description of the symptoms, duration, and what you think triggered them. Also, mention any medications you are taking.

BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos
BlueNet Hospitals.