You will follow a strict liquid diet in the days and weeks following bariatric surgery. This is what you should expect.
Level 1 at the Hospital
Immediately after surgery, you’ll follow the Level 1 clear liquid diet that’s prescribed by your surgeon. This is what will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the hospital following your surgery:
- 4 ounces broth
- 4 ounces protein juice
- 4 ounces decaffeinated coffee/tea
- 4 ounces sugar-free Jello
You CANNOT have the following immediately after surgery:
- Soda or carbonated beverages
- Cream or sugar for coffee
- Salt packets
- Lemon packets
In addition, you’re not allowed to use straws. It’s recommended that you SLOWLY sip the liquids provided.
Level 1 at Home
After you’re discharged from the hospital, you’ll continue a Level 1 clear liquid dietas prescribed for the type of surgery you had. This is usually 1 to 3 days for people who have had lap band surgery or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and up to 6 days for gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgeries.
You should eat about 4 times a day. Each meal should equal a TOTAL of 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of liquids.
Your at-home clear liquid diet may include:
- Vegetable, chicken or beef broth (should be low-fat or fat-free). You can add in a beaten egg white or Eggbeaters to boiling broth for a healthy “egg drop” soup.
- 100% clear fruit juice (apple, cranberry, grape) diluted with water (2 ounces of juice to 2 ounces of water)
- Sugar-free Jello
- Crystal Light or sugar-free drinks
- Sugar-free popsicles
- Decaffeinated coffee or decaffeinated tea WITHOUT creamer
- Skim milk is allowed in coffee/tea and can be mixed with protein supplements; to maintain your health, it’s very important to drink your protein supplements
- Sugar substitutes such as Splenda or Equal are allowed in moderation
It’s recommended that you SLOWLY sip liquids.
You CANNOT have the following:
- Soda or carbonated beverages
- Cream or sugar for coffee/tea
- Fruit nectars or juices with pulp
- Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Propel, or any drink with more than 5 calories per 8-ounce serving
Moving to Level 2
Your surgeon will let you know when it’s okay to move to a Level 2, full-liquid diet. You usually follow this diet for about 4 weeks after surgery.
What to expect
- You should eat about 4 times a day and sip water throughout the day.
- Each meal should equal a TOTAL of 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of liquids.
- Take your time and drink/eat meals over 20 minutes; time yourself with a kitchen or phone timer.
- Drink at least 1 high-protein supplement a day until you move toward protein intake of at least 40 to 60 grams of protein a day.
A full-liquid diet includes:
- Cream of wheat, cream of rice, plain, strained (baby) oatmeal, grits or farina; thin cereals with skim or 1% milk, as needed
- Strained/pureed low-fat cream soups without chunks of meat or vegetables; thin soups with skim or 1% milk, as needed
- Broth-based soup; add in a beaten egg white or Eggbeaters to boiling broth for a healthy “egg drop” soup
- Sugar-free and low-fat or fat-free regular or Greek yogurt, without fruit
- Unsweetened applesauce and fat-free or low-fat whipped cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, pureed together
You should avoid the following:
- Fruit nectars or juices with pulp
- Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Propel, or any drink with more than 5 calories per 8-ounce serving
- Soda and carbonated beverages
- Milkshakes
- 2% or whole milk, cream, half and half
- Alcohol
In addition, you shouldn’t have more than 8 to 16 ounces of regular coffee or tea. And, you can’t drink 15 minutes before a meal or for 30 to 60 minutes after a meal.
