The first few weeks after lap-band surgery require a liquid diet in order to allow your stomach to heal from the surgery and to make sure your stomach does not stretch above where the lap band was placed. The first week after surgery a diet of clear liquids is recommended, followed by a light liquid diet for the next two to three weeks, according to the UCSD Medical Center.
Liquid Diet After Lap-Band Surgery
Step 1
Drink only water and consume clear liquids like chicken, vegetable or beef broths for the first few days after having lap-band surgery. Watered down, clear sugar-free juices can also be consumed. Clear, sugar-free jello can be eaten as well. However, caffeinated or carbonated beverages are a no-no. Your physician will let you know when you can progress to drinking thicker, non-clear liquids.
Step 2
Consume skim or soy milk, and high-protein shakes like Boost, Ensure or Optisource for the second and third weeks following your surgery. It is important to get 50 to 60 g of protein in each day. Protein drinks are slightly high in calories and should only be consumed only while on the liquid diet following your lap-band surgery.
Step 3
Make your own protein shake by using protein powder mixed with sugar-free juice or skim milk. Add some fruit, non-fat yogurt and ice and blend well in blender until smooth. Do not make shakes that are too thick.
Step 4
Drink only 1 percent or skim milk, strained or thinned cream soups (thinned with water or skim milk), juices, caffeine free tea or coffee, sugar-free hot chocolate, and broth soups. It is important to drink 1 to 2 cups of milk between meals, as protein helps in the healing of wounds.
Step 5
Blend canned soups in blender to a smooth consistency before cooking for a tasty meal. Vegetables like onions, carrots, and parsley can be simmered with a clear broth soup and then strained out to add some flavor to the broth.
Step 6
Follow the liquid diet for 3 to 4 weeks following your bariatric surgery. A liquid diet is required to insure that your stomach is fully healed prior to progressing to solid foods. It also helps protect the lap-band from dislodging or slipping while the stomach is healing.
Tips and Warnings
- Drink water after eating a meal since the stomach cannot hold as much as it did before the surgery. Watch the amount of sodium and sugar in pre-packaged shakes and soups.
- Do not drink high fat shakes. Do not try to eat solid foods before seeing your physician.
Things You'll Need
- Clear vegetable, chicken, or beef broth
- Sugar-free, clear juices
- Jello
- Skim or soy milk
- High-protein shakes
- Non-fat yogurt
- Canned soups
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