Best Liquids To Avoid After Gastric Bypass Surgery
There are some beverages that people may think is okay to drink after bariatric surgery which really arent.
To avoid gas buildup, bariatric patients need to stay away from fizzy drinks as they can have negative effects when consumed after gastric bypass surgery. In fact, you should never drink carbonated beverages again as it could cause severe pain to your stomach.
Similarly, alcoholic beverages are best avoided after weight loss surgery. Its also not a good idea to drink too many fluids at once as this can also cause stomach discomfort. Finally, caffeinated beverages should be limited as much as possible as it can interfere with sleep and contribute to gastric problems.
Be sure to make sure you avoid bad liquids when on a liquid only diet.
Example Meal Plan After Gastric Bypass
Here is an example meal plan following Gastric Bypass Surgery:
Breakfast:
Thin soup with 1 -2 tablespoons of cows Milk included
Supper: Nestle Build Up Shake Plus water, tea, coffee sugar free squash in between meals.
When you feel ready, move on to Stage Two you can begin a puree stage diet. Some people move to this diet sooner than others and it depends on the individual.
Purpose Of The Bariatric Pre
Prior to surgery, many patients will have excess fat sitting around and/or in their liver. In order to effectively reach the stomach to perform the bariatric procedure, the surgeon has to move the liver. And the larger the liver is, combined with the fat in and around it, the harder it is for the surgeon to safely and effectively maneuver around it. This can result in more time that the patient will be under anesthesia, significantly increasing their risk of complications, not to mention their medical bills. On the two-week liquid diet, patients lose enough weight to shrink the liver and limit the amount of time the surgeon will have to spend moving around the liver.
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Tips And Guidelines For The Full Liquid Diet
- Continue to aim for at least 1.5 liters of fluids per day
- Protein intake is important. Women should get at least 65 grams and men should aim for 80 grams per day
- Continue to avoid very hot and very cold liquids
- Avoid juice with pulp and high-calorie beverages, such as whole milk
- Pudding, yogurt and anything that is eaten with a spoon do not belong on a liquid diet
- Vitamin and mineral supplements should be started during this time if they weren’t already
- Choosing sugar-free popsicles, gelatin, drinks and protein shakes can limit calories and be healthier
- RYGB patients are especially sensitive to sugar and should not have full-strength fruit juice. Fruit juice should be diluted in a one-to-one ratio with water . Vertical sleeve gastrectomy and BPD-DS patients may also need to be careful
Stage : Clear Liquids
Starting the day after your surgery, you will start a clear liquid diet, continuing for about 4-5 days. During this time, you should try your best to work up to about 3 ounces of clear fluids a day every 30 minutes. This might be difficult right after your procedure, but it will continue to get easier and feel more comfortable! During this time, drink slowly and do not drink liquids out of a straw or chew gum, as these can lead to gas and bloating. Some examples of liquids to try during this stage are:
- Diluted apple juice
- Sugar-free citrus gelatin
- Pedialyte Popsicles
You should also be adding diluted protein shakes to your diet. Use a combination of ½ protein shake and ½ water.
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Bariatric Diet Before Surgery
Why should you lose some pounds before weight loss surgery? Obese people have larger liver due to the excess fat stored in the abdominal region, in and all around the liver.
Even if the laparoscopic procedure is minimal invasive, during the surgery, the bariatric surgeon has to move apart the liver. If that organ is too large complications may occur.
In order to lower any risk, your dietitian will prescribe you a specific bariatric diet before surgery high in protein and based on liquid food. Usually the pre-op diet allows you to consume up to 1200 calories a day.
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But dont take our word for it. Hear what our past patients have to say about how their lives have changes since their surgeries.
Many people decide that just beginning the process of change is too much effort. Im so glad that I chose to make a change and transform my life. I pray this inspires you. Its not where you came from, its about how adamant and focused you are thats really important. Thanks to my doctor and a very special friend who introduced me to my new life. I am forever grateful to Dr. Alejandro López.
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Blended Or Pureed Diet
Step 2 also lasts one to two weeks and includes blended or pureed food that is high in protein and low in fat . This includes:
- Lean meats: Chicken, turkey, tuna, etc.
- Soft foods: Scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, etc.
While the thought of eating blended or pureed food is hard for some people, patients have been on a liquid diet for so long by this point that theyre usually just happy to be getting solid food in their body, Lisa said.
Also, even though the liquid diet step is over, its still important for you to maintain the commitment to drink 64 ounces of fluids per day to avoid dehydration . This must be a lifelong commitment.
Stage Ii: Full Liquid Diet
Two to three weeks after surgery, you will probably begin Stage II of your post-op diet. This is known as the full liquid diet and consists of 1 to 2 ounce meals, 3 to 5 times per day.
Because youre getting all of your calories in liquid form, its a good idea to find a liquid meal replacement that can provide you with adequate nutrients. You may try Glucerna, No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast , or Slimfast High Protein. Its a good idea to sip on these all day long and aim for 4 to 5 cans or servings per day.
In addition to meal replacement drinks, you may also have:
Additional food items that you can have during Stage II include sugar-free pudding, egg custard, or sugar-free gelatin. You may also need to take a protein supplement to ensure youre getting adequate protein. You should aim for about 60 grams of protein every day from a combination of supplements and dairy products.
During this phase, its important to practice reprogramming your swallowing center. Take 5 minutes to consume 1 ounce of food or drink. Avoid drinking 15 to 30 minutes before eating and 30 to 60 minutes after youve completed your meal.
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Full Liquid Diet Indications
A liquid diet can have benefits in a variety of situations. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a liquid diet if:
- You are having trouble swallowing or chewing solid food
- You are at risk of aspirating, or choking or inhaling food particles into your airways, when you eat
- You have missing teeth, open wounds, or stitches in your mouth and need to use this diet until your mouth has healed to help prevent food bits from getting stuck and causing an infection
- You just had a recent dental surgery and are in a lot of pain when chewing, or you have a jaw injury
- Your digestive system is slow or damaged from illness, disease, or surgery, and being on this diet may help with pain and prevent complications, like a bowel obstruction, or blockage in your intestines
- You’re preparing to have a test or imaging procedure to see inside your stomach and intestines and need to ensure that no undigested food is left in your gastrointestinal tract, which could affect the results
Bariatric Full Liquid Diet Suggestions
- During this period, you need to eat three very small meals a day. Initially 1 to 2 tablespoons of food may be all your body is able to tolerate. Stop if you feel a full pressure. Do not take an extra bite.
- Take your time and eat slowly.
- Walking can help food move out of stomach pouch.
- Overall goal is to get 100 grams of protein and 100 grams carbohydrate each day, but you are doing well to get over 50-60gms of protein and carbs at this stage. Drinking 3 cups double milk each day provides 48 grams protein and 72 grams carbohydrate. These can be consumed hot, cold or flavored in a variety of ways.
- If you feel gassy, bloated or have loose stools on this diet, it may be lactose intolerance. This is generally temporary. Take Lactase enzyme tablets or eat yogurt or try soy milk or lactose-free milk to alleviate symptoms.
- Constipation is not uncommon on this diet. Add Benefiber, FiberSure or Metamucil-Smooth to each double milk to promote regularity.
Keep walking to promote regularity, as well. Walk at least 30 minutes/day. If you lift weights, you need to lift less than 10 lbs and avoid any abdominal exercises.
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Is The Full Liquid Diet The Same As The Liver Shrinking Diet
No, the diet that is followed pre-op is specifically designed to shrink the liver and reduce surgical risks. The liver shrinking diet is high in protein and low in carbohydrates to place the body into ketosis. They contain some of the same elements but are consumed in different formats. Although they are similar, they are not the same.
Mechanical Soft And Soft Diets
On a mechanical soft diet, foods are excluded based on their texture or consistency, not their type. On a soft diet, you may need to avoid foods that are high in fiber or fat, even if they are easy to chew.
A mechanical soft diet is typically recommended if you’re healing from an injury or surgery involving your mouth, jaw, or throat. A soft diet lets your digestive system rest after illness or surgery.
The mechanical or soft diet may be recommended for you as you progress from a liquid diet back to a regular solid food diet.
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What Are Full Liquids Vs Clear Liquids
Full liquids are foods that you cannot see through in the form of liquid or turn to liquid at room temperature. These foods are what you will be concentrating on during this portion of your post-bariatric surgery diet.
The consistency of these foods should pour off of a spoon smoothly, with no lumps or globs. Normally, if you are tolerating clear liquids with no issues, your surgeon will approve the move to full liquids. It may be as soon as the second-day post-op.
Online Bariatric Seminar – Bariatric Diet – IBI Healthcare Institute
Our dietician creates a custom plan to ensure you’re on the right track for how you want to be. She prepares you before surgery and post-surgery to make sure you are losing weight while getting all the nutrients your body needs.
Full Liquid Diet Stage One After Gastric Bypass Surgery
After Bariatric Surgery you will need to follow a full liquid diet for the first 5 days. Smooth drinks are best and you can have either clear liquid or full liquid options. Some people may suggest drinking through a straw on the liquid diet, however most hospitals say to avoid this as putting gas into the stomach is not good after major surgery because theres already excess air in there.
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Week 4 And 5 Soft Foods
This stage of the diet will allow for a very gradual reintroduction of soft foods into your diet. This stage usually lasts about 1 or 2 weeks.
If a food can be easily mashed with a fork, or a spoon, then it is probably a candidate for stage three of the post-op gastric bypass diet. This portion of the diet will likely include soft meats and cooked vegetables.
The nutrient goals will remain the same as in stage two. 60+ grams of protein and 64+ ounces of fluid is recommended daily. The serving size of protein in stage three should be about 1 to 2 ounces and youll likely have 3 to 6 small meals.
Stage three, like stage two, focuses on high-quality lean protein sources. While stage 3 continues to focus on high-quality lean protein sources, up to three servings of soft vegetables may also be allowed a tiny portion of fat may also be permitted .
Recommendations for the protein sources in this stage of the diet will probably include several of the following items:
Meat, Dairy, and Eggs
You will still need to take your multivitamin and two to three 400-600 mg doses of calcium citrate .
Your dietitian may recommend you take 3,000 IU of Vitamin D3 total per day, which will likely be found in your bariatric specific multivitamin and calcium. It is important to make sure you are taking at least 12 mg of thiamin and at least 350 mcg of vitamin B12, luckily these doses are provided in most bariatric specific multivitamins.
This is what a typical stage three meal plan might look like:
Things To Consider Before Starting A Full Liquid Diet
Your doctor is your best resource for what foods you should and shouldnt eat on a full liquid diet. You can also work with a registered dietitian.
A registered dietician can help you plan your meals within the guidelines of a full liquid diet and tailor it to your specific needs. For example, some individuals may need to eat a special diet if they have diabetes. Others, who have had bariatric surgery, may need to avoid or limit certain foods on the full liquid diet for some time, such as sugar.
Here are some other considerations:
Last medically reviewed on November 13, 2017
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Main Reasons For Losing Weight Before Bariatric Surgery Are:
Preparing For A Procedure With General Anesthesia
If so and your healthcare provider requests that you follow a liquid diet in advance, they mean a clear liquid dietnot a full liquid diet. That’s because a full liquid diet can result in undigested stomach contents that increases your risk of choking or vomiting when your muscles are paralyzed by anesthesia.
Clear liquids, like water and apple juice, leave the stomach quicklywithin 10 to 20 minutes after they are consumed. Solid foods typically take between 24 to 72 hours to digest.
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Stage : Soft And Moist Foods
This stage of your diet will begin about 2 weeks after your surgery and your follow up appointment with Dr. Balsama, lasting 2 full weeks. These foods should be easy to pull apart with a fork, and each meal should be about ½ cup or 4 ounces in size. However, you should stop eating as soon as youre full, even if this amount has not been reached! Examples of soft foods to eat during this stage are:
- Lean proteins like slow cooked chicken or pork
- Canned chicken, tuna, or crab
- Over-cooked vegetables like zucchini, squash, cauliflower, or mushrooms
- Soft fruits like melons, peaches, and avocados
Continue to sip fluids between meals but remember the 30/30 rule: Do not drink 30 minutes before or after a meal. Continue your daily protein drink and minerals as well.
What Can You Eat On A Full Liquid Diet
Moving up from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet its not that glamorous, Im not going to lie. However, it is one more step towards your recovery and a healthier life style.
While on the full liquid diet you are allowed to have everything from the clear liquid diet and can choose from the food groups and tables below. There are still many foods, fruits, and vegetables that are not allowed because your stomach is still healing and cant adequately process them.
Much of your liquid diet is going to consist of foods from the protein-rich dairy products list . These are easy on your healing stomach and contain much-needed protein. Most meats are not approved during this phase of the diet but the ones listed below can be used as additives to make or fortify soups or broths. During the full liquid diet phase, there are very limited vegetable and fruit choices. This is because the stomach can not easily digest most fruits and vegetables yet and also because it is more important that you are meeting your daily intake of protein during this time.
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Phase : Bariatric Stabilization Diet
The stabilization phase begins at month 4 and lasts for the rest of the patients life .
Phase 4 allowed foods in bariatric stabilization diet
Eating tips for bariatric stabilization diet:
- In the stabilization period your diet after bariatric surgery allows you 900 to 1000 calories
- The amount of daily protein is the same as in the previous stage: 60 to 80 grams. A balanced mix of natural food and bariatric protein shakes help the patient to reach the goal
- Your stomach is ready to go back to three meals a day eating protein sources first
- As soon as you feel satisfied, you should stop eating
- Be sure to stay hydrated drinking 48 to 64 ounces of fluids throughout the day
- Stop drinking 30 min before eating and 30 min after.
