Gastric bypass surgery decreases the size of the stomach, which expedites weight loss by making it difficult for a person to eat too much food at one time, as Frank W. Jackson, M.D., of Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology explains. Following the surgery, patients consume smaller meals, beginning with 1 oz. portions. Over time, their stomachs can hold between 4 and 8 oz. Patients must follow a specific diet broken down into four stages, allowing this change in portions to occur safely.
Stage 1
Patients cannot consume anything for the first one or two days following the surgery, according to MayoClinic.com and Bariatric Surgery.info. This gives the staple line in the stomach an opportunity to heal. While in the hospital, the doctor will then order semi-solid and room temperature liquids to see how well the patient tolerates them. These include clear broths, milk, unsweetened gelatin, milk and and cream soups. Apple and orange juice are also given, along with water. MayoClinic.com states patients should sip fluids slowly, taking in between 2 and 3 oz. at a time. Patients stay only stay in this phase for a few days, long enough to prove they can tolerate the items they are consuming.
Stage 2
Stage 2 lasts between two and four weeks and introduces pureed foods into a patient's diet. MayoClinic.com says the consistency is a smooth paste or thick liquid and cannot contain any obvious pieces of food. Bariatric Surgery.info adds that all food should be the consistency of thin mashed potatoes.
Solid foods that blend easier than others include fish, yogurt, egg whites, soft fruits and vegetables, beans and lean meat. MayoClinic.com recommends blending these items with liquids such as water, unsweetened juice, fat-free gravy, broth and fat-free milk. Milk boosts the amount of protein patients receive, which is especially important for gastric bypass patients. Frank W. Jackson, M.D., says protein helps rebuild tissue and assists in the healing process following the surgery. It also ensures patients lose fat rather than muscle.
Stage 3
With a doctor's permission, a patient can begin to add soft, solid foods during Stage 3. MayoClinic.com defines these foods as anything a person can mash on his plate with a fork. Foods include eggs, low-fat cottage cheese, canned fruit, diced meat with the exception of red meat, cooked vegetables, skim milk and sugar-free, low-fat yogurt. Bariatric Surgery.info recommends patients introduce one new food at a time until they know how their body will react to it. This stage typically lasts eight weeks.
Stage 4
Stage 4 is the final stage and the period of time when firm foods can once again be eaten. Spicy foods or foods with a crunchy texture may pose a problem, and as with Stage 3, patients should add one new food at a time. Rather than give a list of what can be eaten, it is more important to list what foods should be avoided for the safety of the patient. Nuts, seeds and popcorn are bad options because they may not travel well through the new "pouch," or stomach. Carbonated beverages are not only fattening, but they also can cause dumping syndrome, a condition resulting in nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Finally, bread should be eaten in extreme moderation, as it has difficulty passing through the pouch. This can result in a blockage that may require surgery to repair.
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