What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Bariatric Soft Diet
Bariatric surgery or weight-loss surgery procedures reduce the size of the stomach, reroute the digestive system to block calorie absorption or combine the two. After the procedure, you will progress slowly from a liquid diet to regular food to allow your body to heal.
Purpose
Laparoscopic adjustable banding creates a tiny, egg-sized stomach pouch; sleeve gastrectomy permanently removes part of the stomach; biliopancreatic diversion rearranges the digestive system; and gastric bypass procedures restrict stomach size and bypass part of the intestine 2. The soft food phase provides more nutrients and bulk than the previous phases, allowing your body to prepare to digest solid food.
Time Frame
Phase 2 Diet for Gastric Bypass
Learn More
Diet progression instructions vary among bariatric surgeons, but in general you will limit your intake to clear liquids for the first day or two after surgery, followed by full liquids -- creamy soups, juices, yogurt, skim milk -- for 10 to 14 days, according to Aills. For the next 10 to 14 days, you will be allowed to eat pureed or mushy foods the consistency of baby food. If you tolerate the pureed diet, you will eat a soft diet for about 14 days before moving on to regular solid foods by the eighth week after surgery. If you have complications, however, or experience problems with any phase of the diet, it may take longer to reach the regular diet phase. Problems may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bowel obstruction.
- Diet progression instructions vary among bariatric surgeons, but in general you will limit your intake to clear liquids for the first day or two after surgery, followed by full liquids -- creamy soups, juices, yogurt, skim milk -- for 10 to 14 days, according to Aills.
- If you have complications, however, or experience problems with any phase of the diet, it may take longer to reach the regular diet phase.
Foods Allowed
When you progress to a soft diet after bariatric surgery, you may add soft foods to the liquids and pureed foods of previous phases. Eat three meals per day, adding one soft food item per meal each day to avoid overloading your digestive system. Consume one cup or less at each meal and chew each bite thoroughly. You will need more protein after weight-loss surgery, about 60 g per day, so eat your protein first and drink a protein shake between meals to ensure you meet your needs for this nutrient.
- When you progress to a soft diet after bariatric surgery, you may add soft foods to the liquids and pureed foods of previous phases.
- You will need more protein after weight-loss surgery, about 60 g per day, so eat your protein first and drink a protein shake between meals to ensure you meet your needs for this nutrient.
Considerations
Fruit Juices After Gastric Bypass
Learn More
If you have problems with a particular food, try it again a few weeks later, as tolerance changes over time. Drink plenty of fluids between meals, but not while you eat to avoid feeling overfull, says MayoClinic.com. Avoid fried, fatty and sugary foods, as these items may cause dumping syndrome in gastric bypass patients and prevent weight loss in all bariatric surgery patients 2.
Warning
Bariatric surgery does not cure obesity; it is simply a tool that helps you lose weight and keep it off. Successful patients make long-term changes in their lifestyles to prevent regaining the weight, so follow your surgeon's instructions regarding exercise, food and nutritional supplements as exactly as possible. If you find yourself reaching for sugary foods; eating when you are upset or lonely; grazing all day instead of eating regular meals; or eating until you are overly full, ask your nutritionist or bariatric surgeon for help, says MayoClinic.com.
- Bariatric surgery does not cure obesity; it is simply a tool that helps you lose weight and keep it off.
- If you find yourself reaching for sugary foods; eating when you are upset or lonely; grazing all day instead of eating regular meals; or eating until you are overly full, ask your nutritionist or bariatric surgeon for help, says MayoClinic.com.
Related Articles
References
- “Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases”; ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient; Linda Aills, R.D.; September 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Gastric Bypass Diet
- University of Wisconsin: Post-Surgery Nutrition
- Beamish AJ, Reinehr T. Should bariatric surgery be performed in adolescents?Eur J Endocrinol. 2017 Apr;176(4):D1-D15. doi:10.1530/EJE-16-0906
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Bariatric Surgery Procedures.
- Maciejewski ML et al. Bariatric Surgery and Long-term Durability of Weight Loss JAMA Surg. 2016 Nov 1;151(11):1046-1055. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.2317
- Telem DA, Jones DB, Schauer PR, Brethauer SA, Rosenthal RJ, Provost D, Jones SB. (March 2020). Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). Updated Panel Report: Best Practices for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity.
- Stahl JM, Malhotra S. Obesity Surgery Indications and Contraindications. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Updated May 2020.
- Kim RB. (Updated April 2020). Bariatric operations for management of obesity: Indications and preoperative preparation. Jones D, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
- Palermo M, Acquafresca PA, Rogula T, Duza GE, Serr E. Late surgical complications after gastric by-pass: a literature review. Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2015 Apr-Jun; 28(2): 139–143. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202015000200014
- University of Rochester Medical Center. (2020). Anastomotic Leak After Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Kim RB. (Updated May 2019). Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Jones D, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
- Wolfe BM, Kvach E, Eckel RH. Treatment of Obesity: Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery. Circ Res. 2016 May 27; 118(11): 1844–1855.doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.307591
- Monpellier VM, Antoniou EE, Aarts EO, Janssen IMC, Jansen ATM. Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Related to Weight Loss. Obes Surg. 2017; 27(5): 1168–1173. doi:10.1007/s11695-016-2468-6
- Adams TD, Mehta TS, Davidson LE, Hunt SC. All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Associated with Bariatric Surgery: A Review. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2015 Dec; 17(12): 74. doi:10.1007/s11883-015-0551-4
- John Hopkins Medicine. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Weight-Loss Surgery.
- Edholm D, Kullberg J, Karlsson FA, Haenni A, Ahlström H, Sundbom M. Changes in liver volume and body composition during 4 weeks of low calorie diet before laparoscopic gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. May-Jun 2015;11(3):602-6. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2014.07.018
- UCSF Health. Recovery from Bariatric Surgery.
- Richardson WS, Plaisance AM, Periou L, Buquoi J, Tillery D. Long-term Management of Patients After Weight Loss Surgery. Ochsner J. 2009 Fall; 9(3): 154–159.
- UPMC. (2020). About Post-Surgery Bariatric Vitamins & Bariatric Supplements.
- Aminiana A, Changa J, Brethauera SA, Kimb JJ, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Issues Committee. ASMBS updated position statement on bariatric surgery in class I obesity (BMI 30-35 kg/m2). Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 14 (2018) 1071-87.
- UCLA Health. Obesity Treatments. Gastric Bypass Surgery.
Writer Bio
Marcy Brinkley has been writing professionally since 2007. Her work has appeared in "Chicken Soup for the Soul," "Texas Health Law Reporter" and the "State Bar of Texas Health Law Section Report." Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; a Master of Business Administration; and a Doctor of Jurisprudence.