During gastric bypass surgery your stomach is reduced in size from about 1 quart to 2 tbsp. by forming a pouch, which stretches over time to accommodate more food. The gastric bypass diet consists of four stages and is designed to assist in healing after the surgery and to teach you new eating habits. You should work on your diet plan with a physician and registered dietitian.
Phase 1
This is the liquid diet phase and will start one to two days after your surgery when your physician feels you are ready. You will be given warm liquids and semi-solid foods that are easy on your new stomach. Foods allowed during phase one include broth, juice, cream soups, milk and gelatin. You will be taking in 2 to 3 oz. of liquids at a time and need to sip them slowly. This phase lasts until you are able to tolerate liquids well.
Phase 2
The pureed food phase lasts two to four weeks. You will be allowed to start eating foods that are the consistency of a smooth paste or thickened liquid with no bits that require chewing. To create food for the pureed phase you choose a solid food such as ground meat, soft vegetables or beans and blend it with a liquid. Liquid options for blending include water, milk, gravy, juice and broth. Spices and dairy products should be added to your diet slowly until you determine your ability to tolerate them.
Phase 3
Once you are able to tolerate pureed foods well, you will be allowed to add soft, solid foods to your diet. This phase usually lasts about eight weeks before moving onto firmer foods. Items that can be included during this phase are things you can mash with your fork, such as ground meats and soft fruits and vegetables. You doctor or dietitian will monitor your progress and advise you when to move on to the next phase.
Phase 4
The final phase of the gastric bypass diet is the solid food phase, when you will be allowed to begin eating regular foods again. Add them to your diet gradually as you tolerate them. Avoid dried fruits, nuts, seeds, popcorn, stringy vegetables, carbonated beverages and crunchy foods. Spicy items might be difficult to tolerate, so add them to your diet slowly. Keep portions small and eat several meals a day.
Tips
There are a few things to keep in mind when on the gastric bypass diet. Keep your meals small and drink fluids slowly throughout the day. You will need to take vitamin and mineral supplements because you will not be able to get enough nutrients from food. Do not drink fluids with meals to prevent complications such as pain and dumping syndrome. Choose foods that are high in protein, low in fat and sugar, and chew your food thoroughly to prevent blockages. Lastly, introduce new foods to your diet one at a time to check whether you can tolerate them.
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