The Post-Op Diet
Your special diet actually starts before surgery with 10 days of a high protein liquid diet. After surgery, the diet progresses from liquids to regular food slowly over 6 weeks.
Phase 1 Bariatric Diet - Sugar Free
Phase 1 of the Bariatric diet includes sugar free clear liquids enough to stay hydrated (includes water, broth, diet gelatin, decaf coffee or tea, sugar free clear beverages, etc.) - PDF of Phase 1 Clear Liquid Diet
Phase 2 Bariatric Diet - High-protein Liquids
Phase 2 includes milk and milk-based drinks, protein supplements, low sugar yogurt, creamed soup, low sugar pudding - PDF of Phase 2 Liquid Diet
Phase 3 Bariatric Diet - Blended Phase
This phase includes foods blended to a smooth consistency, plus protein supplements. Below view a tuna mousse recipe:
Below is a video recipe on how to create classic caesar dressing/sauce:
Phase 4 Bariatric Diet- Soft Foods
Phase 4 includes small portions of soft cooked foods. Please view Garden Omelet recipe below:
View the braised Pork, Apples and Onions recipe:
Phase 5 Bariatric Diet - Regular
Phase 5 includes small portions of high protein foods.
Lap Band Adjustments
Gastric lap bands may require adjustment (fills with saline through the port) in order to be fully effective. Post operatively, lap band patients are seen in the clinic monthly until adequate restriction is achieved.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation
- All post-op patients are prescribed nutritional supplements because intake of food is restricted and patient may become vitamin or mineral deficient.
- Because their surgeries also affect malabsorption of nutrients, bypass and sleeve patients receive multivitamins, iron, and calcium with Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and a B Complex.
- Lap band patients take a multivitamin and calcium with Vitamin D. Lab tests are performed periodically to assure good nutrient status.
- Duodenal Switch patients have the added requirement of high dose Vitamins A, D, E and K.
Bariatric Surgery Support Groups
Research has shown that support group attendance is crucial to continued weight maintenance after bariatric surgery.
The UVM Medical Center offers a monthly support group at the Blair Park Road Clinic in Williston on the first Monday of every month. The support group meets from 6 - 7 pm.
All pre-operative and post-operative patients and their families are encouraged to attend the support groups. In addition, several satellite support groups comprised of former patients have started in the outlying areas. Contact us for further details.
