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.

I'm still waiting for my band but I thought I'd share a possible menu idea to add a little variety to the liquid phase. Keep in mind I'm only suggesting it because it's a tasty liquid; I don't know how it fits in nutritionally. It's called Raita and it's a yummy Indian yogurt condiment/sauce that I adore! I drink it more than use it as a condiment. It's served chilled and is fantastic on a hot day.

:hungry:

The most common is a cucumber Raita. It's really easy to make and there are dozens of varieties. You can make it thick or runny and easliy adjust the ingredients. It's pretty cheap to buy at most Indian restaurants too.

Here's two recipies

•2 cups natural plain yoghurt

•1 cup grated, seeded cucumber

•1 green chilli-finely chopped (optional

•1/t tsp. salt,adjust to taste

•1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

•1/2 tsp. ground, roast cumin seeds (dry roast in microwave or in a wok or frying pan

Instructions

1.Beat yoghurt, salt, black pepper and cumin together. (Blender works best for thin Raita.) 2.Add cucumber and green chillies and mix well. Adjust salt. Serve chilled.-------------------------

Cucumber Raita Recipe

Ingredients

1. Dahi Yogurt: 2 Cups

2. Grated Cucumber: ½ Cup

Skin cucumber, scoop out seeds, Grate very coarse

3. Finely chopped onion: ¼ Cup

I use red onions for color

4. Garlic: 1 Clove, peeled and minced

5. Salt: ½ teaspoon or to taste

6. Cayenne powder: ¼ teaspoon or to taste

7. Black pepper: Pinch

8. Whole Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon

9. Fresh Cilantro: 1 Tablespoon, washed stem discarded chopped

Method

Churn the yogurt using a blender or a mixer. Fold in items 2 thru 7.

Roast cumin seeds on a hot griddle (NO OIL) stirring occasionally on high heat till the seeds start turning black. Coarsely grind seeds with a pestle or a coffee grinder. Add ground roasted seeds to yogurt. Refrigerate. Serve with chopped fresh cilantro

----------------------------------

This place has dozens of Raita recipies.

http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_display.php?id=%2012842

Hi, New Hope,

I'm new too! I was told baked potatoes were okay at first they are a starch. but, thats still what i eat so far. and i chew , chew ,chew, almost like a liquid before i swallow. i also still eat roast beef hash.soft foods, ive moved up too a hard bread stick once. but i got scared it would hurt me, so i havent ate one anymore, im still learning also, i walk alot, and now riding my bike. i was told not to eat pasta because it would swell in your stomach.but i too hear people eating cheesy mac, but i too will ask, good luck....Virginia :clap2: Banded July 22nd,2006 I've lost 14 lbs so far...

I am new to this forum I was just banded 8/17/06 and I came home today. I experienced alot of sweeling on my right side where the band was placed and puty on steriods to bring down inflammation. I was on clear liquids in the hospital and now that Im home I can have full liquids for 4 weeks then pureed food sand day 42 solid food. I was banded at Barix Clinic in Langhorne.

Thanks for such a helpful and informative thread

Laura

Hi everybody --

This is my fifth day post surgery and I'm feeling great. My list of foods is a little different. For instance, I can eat small portions of oatmeal thinned with skim milk and I find this seems to go down the best. My nutritionist also recommended to have at least 64 oz fluid in phase I and to plan around 6 very small meals. After experimenting a bit, I've found I like to have 3 meals of Whey Protein powder mixed with 6 ounces of skim milk, 1 meal of oatmeal, 1 applesauce with a packet of ProCel added for extra protein, and 1 meal of either lentil or pea soup very well pureed in the blender. All of this gives me around 85 grams of protein, which the nutritionist says is most important, but also the oatmeal has been keeping things "moving along" if you know what I mean and the applesauce (no sugar added) is a nice sweet treat.

Right now because I'm still swollen from surgery all of this keeps me feeling very full. I'm most worried about getting to the regular food phase. I've seen many postings on this site from people eating pizza and other stuff (one recommended macaroni and cheese as a "soft food" during phase II). I wonder about this.

I hope everyone, especially those with new bands, are doing well. This certainly is an adventure!!!

Mags

I have just registered and found your posting very interesting.

Unfortunately my dietician did not give me any useful info as what to eat - most importantly she did not emphasize the need to eat a good quantity of proteins.

Coming from Europe I have a problem understanding what cup size means. Can you please translate it into ounces or fluid ounces? :help:

Very many thanks,

Minnie

A cup is 250 mL or 250 ccs

There are 8 liquid ounces in a cup. 16 ounces dry weight in one pound.

Thanks so much for the food stages lists. It is VERY helpful. I'm having surgery on Feb 22nd and have been wondering what I was going to eat afterwards. THANKS!!!!

:clap2:

Will someone please tell me, beans or no beans? In some info I have read it says beans are good but the paper from my doctor says beans are bad, even refried beans. Hmmm. I am going to a birthday party at a Mexican restaraunt tonight and am not sure what to order.

Hi, from what I have read is that Beans are suppose to be good for you. They have lots of Protein and I'm sure they are good for the lapband because they are mushy. I've read that alot of people when they go to a taco joint ,that is what they order is refried beans. I hope this helps. Have fun tonight. Wishing you continued success, you go girl!!

Minnesotalady:clap2:

Thanks Minnesotalady. I am going to eat the beans!

Good plan .KEEP UP THE GOOD THREADS

:clap2: :clap2: Good plan .KEEP UP THE GOOD THREADS

i do not suggest:

Skim or 1% milk

Soy milk

Milk shakes - thinned

Gatorade or equivalent sports drink

Yogurt smoothie drinks - not including homemade

these all have carbs and will not allow you to loose weight as quickly as you want

gatorade is a deff NO NO.

drink propel. you get the flavor without the like 30+ grams of carbs and sugar.

milkshakes? i think not

smoothie drinks.... dont think so. loaded with sugar and carbs. the low carb ones arnt even worth drinking they taste bad and dont sit for long so you are hungry within the hours

im not going to go thru the whole list

but basically

if you want to loose the weight, use your brain and stay away from the carbs. They fill you up fast but you will not remain full and the second they go down you'll want more. which only makes ur liver fat and your body will just burn the carbs your storing in your liver and not the ones your storing in your fat