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.

thank you for the list. My nutritionist gave vague information at our session, this helps a great deal. I get to start applesauce tomorrow and can hardly wait. Lost 16 pounds first week and rearing to go for more.

can someone tell me where to get greek yogurt ?

Depending on here you live, I have bought it at Walmart, Kroger's and also there is Carbmaster which is at all Kroger affiliates.

I just bought the Montel Williams food emulsifier any one else? You can cream and make vegetable soups that come out hot right from the blender. I thought this would be good to use post op for full liquid and mushy stages. And later to get more vegetables in. Should we not make fruit smoothies I keep hearing no homemade smoothies.

i get mine at waldbaums...but im sure you can get it at any supermarket....i get plain chobani 0% its the pink lable...i add 3 spelda to it and its heavenly...face or fage dont remember the exact spelling is also delish..

How am I supposed to survive on only water, broth, isopure and popsicles for two weeks?

The only time I spoke with the dietician was on the phone a couple of weeks ago and that was a worthless chat.

Doc and his office are off on holiday so I cannot get any phone calls returned.

Didn't get a chance to speak to my doc before being discharged from hospital so I could ask him questions.

I'm shaky and have a headache from lack of food.

I had surgery December 21st.

Finally was able to expel gas today which gave me a ton of relief! I was in so much pain!

I wonder if anyone still reads this thread...I see the last post was in December.

I could really use some help. I'm having some very similar issues as the post above me and I'm only 2 days post-op. My nutritionist (who I only saw for about 5 minutes) says for the first week only jello and broth. I've been doing this for 3 days now and I'm starving. It's also 3:30am and I still haven't slept yet. Would it really hurt if I had a scrambled egg for breakfast? I don't know how I will survive on chicken broth and lime jello for another day let alone a whole week! She never mentioned protein shakes and specifically said no milk till week 2. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Gina

Every doctor has different rules and diets so I am not sure that the advice we give would be good to use unless you call your doctor. But for what it is worth I was allowed to have protein shakes on my post op. They wanted me to have they since your body needs protein to heal after surgery.

I forgot to mention they told me I could have Isopure protein drinks from GNC. They're liquid and have 40g of protein. The blue rasberry tastes like smelly feet! I am having no luck :bored:

My dr told me my main source of protein for the first two weeks should be skim milk and Greek yogurt (because it's high in protein). They never mentioned protein shakes. I can barely keep those down (I'm on day 4 post op). I guess every dr is different!

Every doctor is different. I was on chicken broth, isoprue and water for 48 hours only. I then progressed to protein shakes (all kinds), skim milk and most things that were the consistnacy that you could easily get through a straw (just for consistancy sake, of course no straws allowed). I was on soups by day 7, thinned with either chiken broth or milk. I wouldnt go for an egg at 3 days post op, but if your'e starving your'e going to need to add more protein to your diet to keep you satisfied longer. Good luck!

Thanks guys. I decided not to go for the egg. I was having a weak moment but I pushed though it. Today I haven't been hungry at all. So I guess it gets easier. I'm going to call the nutritionist tomorrow and see if she will allow me anything else.

Edited April 5, 201016 yr by GMC

It seems every doctor is different. My doc had me on clear liquids days 1-2 which is surgery day and the day after. Days 3-4 full liquids, yogurt, thin soup. days 5-6 pudding, applesauce, bananas. Days 7 mashed potatoes, really cooked vegetables and vegetable soup. Days 8-10 oatmeal, soft boiled eggs, cottage cheese and canned pears. Days 11-12 add fresh fruits. Day 14 slowly addbacked fish, tuna, toast, crackers, pasta fresh veggies except corn, celery and asparagus. Days 16-18 backed turkey and chicken. 8 weeks and out beef, roast beef, ham and add steak last.

I am just on day 3.

I'm tentatively scheduled to get my band for mid-August. It's been very helpful reading this thread.

Oh Angie that sounds great compared to my doc's plan:( I'm sitting here trying to figure out what all I can eat for the next month or so. It will be worth it though.

This is a great thread!