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.

Jack - I have a question for you. I have been reading lots of your replies in all of the different areas and I have to say that you really have it together. Here is the question - How did you get there? I have been dieting for many years and even with the band, I don't always make the right choices, yet you seem to be able to.

Would you guys tell me about your pre op diets....I am thinking about post poning my surgery....I am having trouble staying on a low carb diet...he didn't say low calorie...just low carb....I am hoping he means white sugar, white flour, white rice....it is so hard for me to give up my cereal in the morning.....please help....

im 4 days post op did anyone else have lasting gas pains or should i be calling to find out whats wrong?

Hi windy143,

I read your message that you wrote one week before your surgery and you sound exactly how i feel. I am having surgery in 4 days and would like to hear how you are doing now. I am afraid that i will go through all of this surgery and not be able to stick with the diet part. I love sweets and chocolate and i'm afraid I will still be weak and try eating them all the time.

Anyone out there that has any suggestions or helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all, I am just researching about the band and wanted to see what all people can and should eat after..also wondered if after the 4-8 weeks po if you can eat whatever you can tolerate or if there are some things you CAN'T EVER HAVE. Also is the band ever in some cases removed completely? I am 210 and 5'2" with a BMI of 47..need to lose but so far just can't seem to do it...have been fighting it all my life but mainly the last 16-18 yrs. ...dylansmom...loved your outline...sure it will help anyone. Jerraly in LaPorte, In.... PS..dones any one know of a Dr.Paul Stanish in Merriville, In.?

Well you have to go in to this with knowing your life has to change. We have tired every fad known to man and it hasn't worked this was like the last straw for me. My insurance did not pay for the surgery. So I checked prices in the US and couldn't find anything close to TJ so I decided to check prices there. I started check the Doctors and decided on Dr. Lopaz. I had read postive and negative thing about him and of corse ever other Doctor I consider. So I went there with an open mind knowing that all i would be out be be the flight if I was not conforable with the Doctors or the Hospital. I was a little nervous about the xray clinic and the lab where my pre-op testing was done. At this point I was still not sure of my finally decision. After having these test done I went to Dr. Lopez clinic this was like walking in a different world very modern and neat. I was alittle more confortable. I went threw nutritional evaluation, psychiatric evaluation and cardiology evaluation and on and on and on. I have never had such great care. I had three surgeons and 8 surgical team members all went great I was a little sorer than I thought I would be trip home was a little uncomfortable. I had surgery do on the 8/12/05 and to weighed 235 down to 209 today fell great. I am concerned that when I need a fill I will have the same problem. I am hoping that I will be able to have it done some were close But if not back to Mexico I don't really mind because Dr. Lopez stated that he has seen to meany mess ups doing it blind and this could cause lots of issues. So I opt for fluroscopy. He also states it the will power and that he has had some that do not get a fill for a year. I know that if I follow the diet that he gave me that I will have to spend much less on fill and trip and time. I hope all goes well and keep the mind on where we are going and don't look back.........

I'm scheduled to have surgery on 9/19/05 with Dr. Spivak in Houston.......My outlook on the whole process is I'm having the surgery and using it as a tool to help me lose the weight that I need to. The surgery will only work if I work for the weight loss! I know that I will have to change my eating habits and the things I like/love to eat, and exercise more.

My doctor, Dr. Spivak in Houston, Tx, only had me on a liquid diet for the first 48 hours and then I can have soft foods for 3-4 weeks and then regular meals from then on after that. I am still trying to figure out which is the hunger and the fullness feelings. But I am having trouble figuring out what to eat. The only thing that has been hard is not getting to drink while eating. I hate having to wait but it will be worth it in the end.

Kathy,

That is how my doctor was and not I am eating everything and not losing so I am wondering if I need to go back on the mushy stuff or try to find some plan to follow. I love the food list, I printed it out and will use it as my guidelines. I am calling my dr on Monday to find out if I am supposed to meet with a dietatian since it seems everyone else on the list has one! My insurance did not pay so I had to pay cash so I would think I should get the same treatment as someone whose insurance paid. I just want to start losing weight that was why I did this. I will get my first fill on Thursday so I am hoping that will help me also not eat as much, but I want to be able to know what I can and shouldn't eat.

Good luck to you.

Dawn

Corinth Texas

Banded 8/17/05

Since I am going in next week, I figured I better start getting some of the things I'll be needing.

This is what my doctors list says (2 weeks on clear liquids).

Clear liquids

Diluted 100% Juices: Apple, Cranberry, Grape, Orange (no added sugars)

Broths: Ckn, Turkey, Beef, Veggie (no particles or solids)

Jello: Regular or sugar free

Popsicles: Regular or Sugar Free (no fruit pieces)

Cold Drinks: Sports drinks (Gatorade), lemonade, iced tea (reg or sf), crystal light, flavored waters (propel, reebok, snapple-elements, fruit2o)

Hot Drinks: coffee or tea with skim milk or creamer, w/sugar or sugar subsitute.

Suggested Guideline: choose beverages with about 60 calories per 4 oz of Fluid.

Sugars are most often a problem if a product has added sugars and is consumed too quickly (more than 4 - 8 oz, in less than 15 - 30 minutes.

I will pray for you that you get everything that you ever wanted out of this surgery. I have lost 32 lbs and I am going for my first fill Nov 3. I had a hard time finding someone close to do fills because I had surgery in Mexico. I am finally set up and can't wait. I am eatting almost anything I want with out restriction. The fills are a must. I had my surgery in August. Do just what they tell you and you will lose the most. Good luck and may God and his heavenly angels be with you.

this is all helpful. I have just made all my pre op appts. I am so excited. Thanks for all comments!

dylansmom~

do you know what a life-saver this thread is to those of us who either did not go to a nutritionist or have doctors who set us loose after surgery?!?! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

I realize that this is a guideline, a nice mix of the different plans people have been put on! I am printing your list out as we speak so that when I feel a bit bamboozled about what to "eat", I can just look for some ideas on my list!!

Thanks again!!

~cheri

I'm so glad that this has helped so many people. I know how fortunate I am to have my LapBand doctor, and I can't imagine being set loose without any instructions or guidelines.

Happy this could help, and please keep up the great work!!!

Dylansmom thank you for posting this thread.. This is perfect for someone like me who is waiting to undergo the surgery( on waiting list).. I am in the very early process and have an appointment on the 20th of january with a dietician so this kinda gives me some idea of what my eating habbits will be like after I have had the surgery

Thanks again