Here are the lists that my nutritionist gave to me for the different stages of eating after having surgery. The moderator may want to make this thread a sticky for those who don't get defined lists, as I've noticed a lot of questions about this topic in the past.

*STAGE 1 - liquids

START: When you return home from your surgery

DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.

DIET: Clear and full liquids

GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of Fluid for the day by continuous sipping.

LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:

Water

100% fruit juice (No sugar added)

Bouillon

Strained Soups or broths

Skim or 1% milk

Soy milk

Milk shakes - thinned

Gatorade or equivalent sports drink

Yogurt smoothie drinks - not including homemade

Crystal Light

sugar free beverages

Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee

Popsicles (Pedialyte)

LIQUIDS TO AVOID:

Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple)

Acidic liquids (tomato juice, tomato Soup, buttermilk)

Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea)

Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water)

Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies

Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test*

*STAGE 2 - MUSHIES

START: 2 weeks post surgery

DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage

DIET: Soft food

GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOODS RECOMMENDED:

Milk (skim or 1% only)

Cottage cheese

eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled)

Blended cream soups

Yogurt

Low Fat Cheese - unmelted

Peanut Butter

Tofu (silken only)

Pudding

Applesauce or other fruit sauces

Canned fruits

Mashed potatoes

Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk)

*STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS

START: 4 weeks post surgery

DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage

DIET: Semi-solid food

GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOOD RECOMMENDED:

Deli cuts of meat

Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken

Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey

Beans

Tofu

Baked fish or crab meat

Pasta, rice, and corn

Fresh fruit - eliminate skins

Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks

Low Fat melted cheese

FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES:

Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices

Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies

Regular Jello

Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high Fiber foods

*STAGE 4 - SOLIDS

RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES:

Protein GROUP:

1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish

1/4 cup yogurt

1/4 cup pudding

1/4 cup cottage cheese

1 egg, 2 egg whites

1/4 cup egg substitute

1 tbsp. peanut butter

1 ounce tofu

1 ounce cheese

1/4 cup canned flake meat

1 slice deli meat

2 tbsp. grated cheese

1/4 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup beans

1/4 cup hommus

GRAIN GROUP:

1/2 slice toast

1/4 bagel or english muffin

1/2 cup Cereal (cooked or dry)

1/2 cup broth-type soup

1 oblong graham cracker

1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato

1/2 small baked potato

1/4 cup corn

4 crackers

FRUIT GROUP:

1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices)

1/4 cup grapes

1/2 piece fresh fruit

1 tsp. jelly or jam

1/4 cup dry fruit

VEGETABLE GROUP:

1/2 cup cooked vegetables

1 cup raw vegetables

1/2 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa

OTHERS GROUP:

1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine

1 tsp. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. Miracle Whip

1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese

1 tbsp. salad dressing

2 tbsp. guacamole

4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans

1 ounce cheese

2 tsp. peanut butter

1 tbsp. tahini

1/4 cup Cool-Whip

1 tsp. sugar, honey, or syrup

COMBINATION FOODS:

1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal

1/2 cup per snack

CORE PLAN:

BREAKFAST:

1-2 Proteins

1 fruit

2 grains

1 other

LUNCH:

2-3 proteins

1 vegetable

2 grains

1 other

SNACK:

1 fruit

1 protein

DINNER:

2-3 proteins

1-2 vegetables

2 grains

1 other

SNACK:

1 vegetable

1 grain

I hope that this helps those who are researching getting the band, with knowing what your eating habbits will be like after surgery. I also hope that this will help those who are never given a clear eating plan after surgery too.

Please know that this is just the plan that was given to me, and I do not expect all bandsters to follow this plan. It is simply a guidline for those who need one/are not given one.

Please remember to follow exactly what your surgeon/nutritionist says, even if it is different than this list.

You won't feel hungry for a while afterwards, and I suggest sticking to more liquids before moving on to oatmeal. Small amounts of strained soups and broths are usually a good idea. That's what all of us other bandsters did when we were banded. I'm 8 days post op and am still on liquids. It helps the band heal in place if you don't everdo your eating.

I'm not sure about your medication for gas pain as I'm in England as we don't have the same brand names. Walking around is the best way to relieve pains and take normal painkillers if the feeling gets really bad. Mine was terrible on day 5 but eased by day 6. And today I'm 10lb down and free from all pain.

Glad you made the choice to have it done :-)

check out the other posts about liquid stages and aftercare as it sounds like you didn't get too much information.

Gill x

How about Eas Protein Drink made with 1% milk and 3 ice cubes in a blender, put in travel cup, with straw you are on your way AND you get 32 Grams of Protein to BOOT!

I am 8 days post op and required to consume 70 grams of Protein daily. Will that be the requirement throughout stages 1,2,3,4? Thanks.

Grammy in Columbus

Protein My doctor required me to try for 60 grams divided by 3 meals of no more then 20 minutes at a time . Also no Water 30 minutes before or after. I am now almost 3 month post op and try really hard to reach 80-90 grams per day now.

It can be challenging. REMEMBER to take you Vitamins and Calcium citrate also. In a 2 month period you really start to see the difference in protein, vitamins and calcium.

Best of luck.

How Long Were You Banded Before You Had Slippage? And Did Insurance Cover Rebanding

dyslansmom - could you recommend any blended cream soups? Thanks.

Grammy in Columbus

Your request gave me a chuckle as I started mushies and made soups all day today. But unfortunately, I made a GREAT one that it's too soon to eat. Cauliflower and black bean puree. I only had a couple of tablespoons but it made me very gassy. When you're ready for it:

put a little olive oil in your soup pan and add a the standard combo of chopped up onion, carrot and celery. When soft but not brown, add in loosely chopped caulflower and the can of beans. Cover with broth...I use the veggie broth that comes in a box- I get it at Trader Joes. I threw in a couple of pinches of cumin and coriander, salt and black pepper. I don't spice heavily ever. Bring to boil and then simmer on a very low light until very tender. Let cool a bit, then pulverize in a blender. I froze most of it for down the road. It's brown in color but tastes great. You can also melt a little low fat cheddar cheese on top. Lots of protein between the beans and cheese.

I also do butternut squash and puree veggie soup as well. Same start on all. With butternut I use a very little spice but add nutmeg when I serve it. Also I use a pinch of splenda.

How this helps.

Gwenn

*STAGE 1 - LIQUIDS

START: When you return home from your surgery

DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.

DIET: Clear and full liquids

GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of fluid for the day by continuous sipping.

This is pretty similar to my docs recommendations, with the addition of thinned refried beans and scrambled eggs added to the full liquid phase. My question for those who are on similar restrictions for the first 2 weeks (once on full liquid) do you partake of any of the items below any time of day? My diet suggests the full liquids (1/4 c) only for 3 meals a day, with sugar free liquids the rest of the day. I AM STARVING!!!!

LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:

Water

100% Fruit Juice (No sugar added)

Bouillon

Strained soups or broths

Skim or 1% milk

Soy milk

Milk Shakes - thinned

Gatorade or equivalent sports drink

Yogurt Smoothie Drinks - not including homemade

Crystal Light

Sugar free beverages

Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee

Popsicles (Pedialyte)

I had a different post-op diet. 3 weeks clear liquids which to my surgeon also included protein shakes and milk. And cranberry juice. I wasn't told when to drink what. Just to get 75 grams of protein a day plus other fluids as much as possible. I sipped all day including the shakes which are filling. I used Atkins, but Slim fast now has a low-carb shake without sugar that has 20 grams of protein in each. So you don't need as many. I also had permission to use the 25 calorie no sugar hot choc my supermarket sells. That was actually very satisfying. I wasn't really hungry. When I was, it was gone in a few sips.

If you really are hungry, you should check in. Maybe he'll move you forward faster.

Gwenn

Dylansmom,

Thank you so much for this list. After 1 1/2 years of no changes (OK, no ups, but no downs either), I was desperate for help. Trouble with fills (Dr can't find port, bends needles, and then gets angry at me), so going to find a new doctor. But FIRST, I want to learn how to use the band, something I haven't done.

The core plan is the thing: From that I can work out a simple weekly menu that works.

Cheers,

cacrider

Hi GDF18......Yum! I love soup!! Thanks for the receipe

I had a different post-op diet. 3 weeks clear liquids which to my surgeon also included protein shakes and milk. And cranberry juice. I wasn't told when to drink what. Just to get 75 grams of protein a day plus other fluids as much as possible. I sipped all day including the shakes which are filling. I used Atkins, but Slim fast now has a low-carb shake without sugar that has 20 grams of protein in each. So you don't need as many. I also had permission to use the 25 calorie no sugar hot choc my supermarket sells. That was actually very satisfying. I wasn't really hungry. When I was, it was gone in a few sips.

If you really are hungry, you should check in. Maybe he'll move you forward faster.

Gwenn

Thanks for the reply. I may check out the low carb Slim fast shake.

Once you can have solids again, I have an even better recipe, one that even my dietician at the surgeon's office asked me for.

It's brownies made with black beans and eggs. Good protein source and it tastes delicious:

Black Bean Brownies (TRIED AND TRUE)

1 15oz. can of UNSEASONED black beans - drained and rinsed well.

4 large eggs (or 2 eggs and ½ cup of egg beater type product)

1 cup Splenda

3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder –darker is better.

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tbsp. oil (I use olive oil- 2 FULL Tablespoons- I even let it spill over as I fill them.

1 Tbs Vanilla ( I let this run over also)

½ tsp baking soda

chopped nuts or a handful of dark choc chips- optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a food processor or

blender- blend very very well. Pour into an 8x8 baking pan sprayed with cooking spray or oiled with

canola or olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes. (til toothpick pulls out clean). Outer edges tend to be a little dry but it should be nice and moist inside.

Variations:

Ice the brownies with lite film of peanut butter or sf ff chocolate sauce. Peanut butter inside gets too dry. Or, make with white beans (no cocoa of course). Many people like kidney beans(with the unsw. chocolate) and you get a sort of red velvet brownie. If you can find sf marshallow fluff (like Walden farms), pour ½ batter, use white beans, drop in some of the marshmallow, then add balance of batter. Sort of an SBD “Twinkie”.

Edited May 25, 200818 yr by gdf18

Wow...double Yum...thanks for sharing! Becky

Can't wait to try that brownie recipe - thanks!

What helped me get through was taking a can of fat free refried beans and throwing it into a blender or food processor with lean, reduced sodium deli ham and a little water. Even my husband said it was tasty!