Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach, thus making the person feel full after eating a much smaller amount of food, which causes rapid weight loss. Additionally, the surgery also results in a "bypass" between parts of the stomach and small intestine, meaning the body absorbs fewer calories than before surgery, according to the online medical encyclopedia MedlinePlus. Because this surgery drastically changes how the body absorbs nutrients, a special diet that is divided into stages is necessary following the procedure.
Clear Liquid Phase
The University of Minnesota Medical Center and Rush University Medical Center provide guidelines for the foods a person should eat following gastric bypass surgery. Moving from one phase to the next phase is advised after the indicated time or when no complications are experienced during the first phase. The first phase is a clear liquid phase, and it should last a few days after surgery. No more than 1/2 cup should be drunk at one time. These liquids include water; juice that is diluted with water, but that does not contain pulp; sugar-free Popsicles and gelatin; clear broth; and decaffeinated tea.
Pureed Phase
This phase generally lasts from a few days to three weeks after surgery. In addition to anything in the previous phase, most liquids can be consumed during this phase. Examples of foods in this step are sugar-free forms of foods like applesauce, yogurt without fruit chunks, pudding, and instant breakfast drinks; low-fat cream soups; plain soy milk; Cream of Wheat; skim or 1 percent milk; and sugar-free iced tea and Kool-Aid. This phase also includes pureed fruits, like bananas, peaches, apricots, and pureed vegetables, like carrots, green beans, and beets. The University of Minnesota advises being cautious each time a new food is added to the diet, eat slowly, and eat only one food at a time.
Semi-Soft Phase
This phase adds soft foods to the post-surgery diet. It lasts from a few weeks to a few months after surgery. Examples of foods to eat in this phase include tuna, salmon, shrimp and lobster; low-fat cheese; eggs that are hard-boiled or poached; mashed or baked potatoes; cooked pasta; canned peaches or pears in juice, but not syrup; soft melon; and vegetables that have been well-cooked.
Regular Phase
A few months after the surgery, the regular phase is reached, adding most nutrient-rich foods to the diet. It is wise to eat foods that are low in calories and fat, high in protein, and not "empty calories." Foods that could not be eaten in the previous phase, like foods that are crunchy, can be added back into the diet. Foods that can now be eaten include raw crunchy fruits, like apples, and raw vegetables. Even in this phase, all foods should be chewed until they are finely ground before swallowed.
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