Phase 2 Diet for Gastric Bypass

A gastric bypass diet usually consists of four phases — liquids, pureed foods, soft foods and regular solids. Following an appropriate post surgery diet will help your body heal faster and prevent complications at the surgical site or complications resulting from malnutrition.

Background

Bariatric surgeries are usually performed on extremely obese individuals who are 100 pounds overweight or more. Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach and allows food entering the digestive tract to bypass a large portion of the stomach and part of the small intestine. This helps you to feel full after eating small amounts of food, decreases food intake, decreases calorie and nutrient absorption and helps significantly with weight loss.

Phase Two

Diet After a Frenectomy

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Phase one of a gastric bypass diet includes liquids only; however a phase two diet consists of liquids and strained or pureed foods. According to Medline Plus, the first two to three weeks after your surgery you’ll eat only liquid or pureed foods 2. Phase three consists of soft solids and phase four includes regular solids. Your doctor will help you determine when you’re ready to progress between each phase.

Helpful Hints

Eat slowly during each phase in a gastric bypass diet to help prevent overeating and dumping syndrome. Choose foods low in sugar, avoid empty calories and avoid high-fat foods to help with weight loss and prevent malnutrition. Supplement with vitamins and minerals as directed by your doctor. Consume adequate amounts of protein to help with healing, and during phase two of your diet, make sure to avoid foods that contain lumps or chunks. All solid foods eaten should be strained or pureed during phase two. Avoid high-calorie foods and beverages, including alcohol.

Acceptable Foods

Soft Diet List After Bowel Surgery

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Liquids, and pureed and strained foods that are high in nutrients, contain protein and are low in calories are good choices during a gastric bypass phase two diet. High-protein drinks such as Boost, Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast are usually recommended during phases one and two.

Sample Meal Plan

St. John’s Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery provides sample meal plans for a weight loss surgery phase two diet. This daily meal plan consists of 2 cups of dairy, four 1 oz. servings of protein foods including pureed meats or high-protein supplements, 1/2 to 1 cup of pureed vegetables or vegetable juice, 1/4 to 1 cup of carbohydrate-containing foods, and 6 to 8 cups of beverages each day. Avoid drinking the beverages immediately before, during or immediately after your meals.