Weight Loss Surgery Diet
Overview
Posted: 10/4/23Updated: 1/22/24By Jason Richardson, MDDr. Richardson's staged bariatric diet plan is designed to support postoperative healing, reduce the risk of complications, and help typical patients achieve successful weight loss outcomes following bariatric surgery. In all stages, avoid foods or beverages that are high in fat or sugar. After surgery, patients should only consider moving to a subsequent diet stage if they are tolerating their current diet stage without any problems.
Before Surgery
Low Carb Diet - Starts 2 weeks before surgery
An excessively large patient liver occasionally can result in a surgery being canceled in the middle of the procedure. In an effort to shrink the liver's collection of carbohydrates, patients often begin a low carbohydrate diet 2 weeks before their date of surgery. There are no consistency limitations during this stage, so solid foods are ok. The key is to ensure that very few sugars and starches are consumed. That means strictly avoiding things like glucose, fructose, sucrose, corn syrup, fruit, wheat, rice, corn, oats, potatoes, and food items made from these ingredients such as candy, fruit juice, cereal, bread, crackers, and chips.
Many surgeons have their patients discontinue glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists 2 weeks prior to surgery. This class of medications includes: dulaglutide (Trulicity®), exenatide (Bydureon®, Byetta®), liraglutide (Saxenda®, Victoza®, Adlyxin®), and semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®).
Liquid Low Carb Diet - Starts 1 week before surgery
Solid food retained within the stomach occasionally can also result in a surgery being canceled in the middle of the procedure. In order to give the stomach extra time to move out solid foods, patients often transition to a liquid-only version of the low carbohydrate diet 1 week before their date of surgery. The key is still to ensure that very few sugars and starches are consumed, but now with the additional limitation that no solid foods are consumed during this stage. All consumed liquids must be able to be effortlessly poured through a mesh strainer.
"NPO" Nothing to Eat or Drink - Starts the night before surgery
At midnight the night before surgery, patients are encouraged to stop consuming all foods and beverages. That gives the stomach a few more hours to clear out any remaining fluids before the surgery.
After Surgery
Starts immediately after surgery
This stage usually lasts for the first 2 days following surgery. During this stage, patients are advised to consume only clear, water-based liquids that can be effortlessly poured through a mesh strainer. Examples include water, broths, and caffeine-free teas. These drinks are essential as they provide hydration while avoiding stress to the digestive system during the early recovery period.
Often starts 2 days after surgery
After completing the clear liquid diet, patients often move onto the full liquid diet stage, which lasts for 2 weeks. In this stage, individuals consume more nutrient-rich liquids compared to the clear liquid stage. All the liquids still must be able to be poured through a mesh strainer. Examples include milky protein shakes and creamy soups. These foods provide additional calories, proteins, vitamins, and minerals helpful for the body's recovery process.
Often starts around 2 weeks after surgery
Following the full liquid diet, patients are often approved by Dr Richardson during their office visit to begin the third stage, which also lasts for 2 weeks. The pureed diet consists of soft foods that have been blended until they become very smooth and easy to digest. Pureed foods can be made from vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and even some meats if you have a sufficiently powerful blender. Patients should continue to avoid any solid or chunky textures during this stage. Do not consume more than ½ cup of food during any single meal, and stop eating and drinking before that amount if you start feeling full or uncomfortable.
Often starts around 4 weeks after surgery
After completing the pureed diet, patients often move on to the fourth stage, which also lasts for 2 weeks. During this stage, individuals begin consuming slightly more solid foods but still need to choose items that are soft and easy to chew. Examples of suitable foods include soft vegetables, soft fruits, eggs, fish, and tender cuts of meat. It's important for patients to continue avoiding any hard, crunchy, or tough textures as these can cause discomfort or complications. Do not consume more than ½ cup of food during any single meal, and stop eating and drinking before that amount if you start feeling full or uncomfortable.
Stage 5 - Regular Diet
Often starts around 6 weeks after surgery
After a patient has successfully completed all previous diet stages without any issues, they often transition to a regular bariatric diet. This involves consuming a diet tailored specifically for weight loss and long-term health after surgery. Do not consume more than ½ cup of food during any single meal, and stop eating and drinking before that amount if you start feeling full or uncomfortable.
You should make sure that any diet or recipe is approved for you by your own qualified healthcare provider. Do not consume more than ½ cup of food during any single meal, and stop eating and drinking before that amount if you start feeling full or uncomfortable.