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.

hi,

We have a new treatment for banded patients go to www.dietaunica.com to learn more. Thanks.

This is from my surgeons patient handbook

LAP–BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System Diet Instructions AFTER Surgery

• Stay away from carbonated or citrus drinks to decrease nausea – “sugared” drinks are OK for a source of carbohydrates at this time

• No foods that are “doughy” or “sticky” - like soft white bread, coconut, chips, popcorn, or dried fruits - they could obstruct the band

• Very fibrous foods such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, artichokes, pineapple, and rhubarb could also obstruct the band if not overcooked and cut into small pieces

• food that is difficult to digest includes nuts, almonds, and peanuts

• Caffeinated drinks are not usually an issue

• Drink lots of Water (48 oz – 64 oz/day). Avoid gulping water, sip small amounts slowly and gradually through a straw. You may find that cold water tastes better than lukewarm

• Do not drink while you eat or within an hour before and after eating

• If overeating occurs during the immediate post-operative phase, vomiting is expected with an increase risk of having the stomach tissue slip up through the band.

IMMEDIATE POST OP DIET: Ice chips, 30ml of water every 15 min or nothing by mouth. A barium swallow (Upper Gastrointestinal study) is scheduled the next morning after surgery.

DAY ONE: Clear liquids only (liquids you could see through), broth, Jell-O, apple juice, tea or popsicles. There are also clear Protein drinks – Ultra Cal liquid (Mead Johnson), Isopur (GNC store – raspberry, punch, or orange, has O carbs and whey protein), and Enlive (Ross – 10g of protein per 8 oz). It is common to have post-op swelling around the Band as a result of surgery. Do not be alarmed if you are unable to tolerate or swallow liquids easily. You will be monitored for this in the hospital, then discharged.

FIRST TWO WEEKS: Transition to liquid diet including skim milk and tomato juice (a good source of protein and can be tolerated by LAP-BAND patients, unlike Gastric Bypass patients). Continue with full liquids such as creamed Soups and yogurt including a “protein shake” (Ensure Light, Boost, Instant Carnation Breakfast) at least twice a day. See detailed dietary guidelines for Lap Band patients.

TWO TO FOUR WEEKS: pureed or blended foods (for example, applesauce, yogurt, creamy soups, cooked cream of wheat, farina, cream of rice, pudding). Patients can puree the following foods with skim/soy milk or broth: • Vegetables • meats • Casseroles *Patients who eat solid food too soon run the risk of dislocating the band, thereby developing an enlarged upper gastric pouch.

Transitional Period to Solid Food on or about the FIFTH WEEK: Regular diet until first scheduled assessment for adjustment (sixth week post-op). Continue “Sugar-free” products. Expect to eat ½ cup of food at a time or 1 ounce – 1 ½ ounce by the 5th week Beware: the majority of patients will find it difficult, if not impossible, to eat whole chunks of meat, although ground beef is generally tolerated if well chewed.

Food must be chewed well. It is important to make good food choices. To avoid hairloss eat protein-rich foods first at every meal (3 meals a day). Alcohol has a lot of calories, and therefore should be avoided.

Hey, everybody! I just had my band put in last week by Dr. Jorge Rincon (San Antonio)! I've lost 8 pounds in 9 days! I feel pretty good! Anyways, I'm in stage 2 now and I've made a Soup recipe that's pretty good to be a full liquid:

cream of chicken soup

chicken broth

salt

hot sauce or other seasoning

~Put these ingredients in the blender, then in the microwave for about a minute, and it takes pretty much like a real meal!

ok im like on day 14 and ready to go to the next food stage,but i have to say i barley made it to this stage...I cant eat one more can of soup or broth..i was Starving towards the end....well heres what im confused about..according to my packet i got from the hospital im on the pureed diet which gives me a small list of foods i can eat..heres what it says.Pureed food choices are pureed skinless chicken or fish,mashed potatoes with skim milk,skim milk with rice krispies,cheerios,or cornflakes. Now if i can eat rice krispies and cheerios why cant i eat tuna in a can?? I started to eat tuna thinking it was ok,but after reading the packet some more it says thats on the Next stage(day29 to 42) im just stressing on this dam list of things to eat..im trying my best to stick to it.

I guess the thing that surprises me most about the original post is that it says '1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal'...my understanding was that the pouch could only hold about 1/4 cup at a time...? I'm still on mush food for another week, so haven't gotten to the real food stage. I'm eating 4 oz. of food/meal and not starving, so I guess the band is tight enough to give me some restriction without being filled yet.

THANK YOU, :clap2:THANK YOU, :clap2:THANK YOU:clap2:!!!! I have looked everywhere for a list to no avail. Since I'm a self-pay I have been fast tracked with just an initial visit, then the pre-op and surgery on June 19. I will print your list out and use it as my bible reference. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to type it all out.

Jeri

Thank you so much for a wonderful list of healthy food that I can actually eat! :confused: this is very good- excellent!

blended meat

What about Underwood Chicken Spread? It is "potted meat" in that it is minced and sold in a can. Quite frankly, I love the stuff.

Darr

FYI: my lapband doc's guidelines (it continues on to stages 2, 3, 4, and 5: covering the first 6 weeks post-op and week 7 and beyond) if you are interested, let me know I will PM it to you. These guidelines are so similar to others I have seen on this post--but, I find it interesting to compare ALL information.

LAP BAND SURGERY GUIDELINES

DAY ONE

Clear Liquids:

Including diluted juice (anything you can see through), water, broth, Jello or Popsicles

STAGE ONE: WEEK 1 & 2

Liquid Diet:

Choose liquids tha have calories and protein for meals (see box below). You can have uo to 6 liquid meals per day: each 4 oz (1/2 cup) over a 30-45 minute period. At other times of the day, choose only non-caloric beverages. The following choices will NOT be appropriate long-term.

• Ready made liquid supplements: Slim Fast, Ensure, Boost
  
• Carnation Instant Breakfast made with skim or low fat milk
  
• Yogurt smoothie
  
• Skim or low fat milk
  
• Creamed soups ie: tomato soup made with skim or low fat milk

Can you please explain why you can have yogurt but not frozen yogurt (fat free, sugar free)?? Many thanks

I bought the bullet. So far I love it but have only used it for protein shakes that I blend w/ ice to make them more milkshaky. I am only on day 2 full liquids. After 2 weeks on full liquids, according to my doc, I will be able to eat pureed foods. Then I think my bullet will come in very handy because

i can make one meal for my family (a meat, a veggie, and a starch) and I can puree mine w/ the bullet. The bullet seems great and will have many other uses too. I can even make my own hummus...No I am not a Magic Bullet salesmen.

Ellen

Can you please explain why you can have yogurt but not frozen yogurt (fat free, sugar free)?? Many thanks

Excellent question! Anyone??

New Hope, the nutritionist told me that mashed potatoes and oatmeal were ok, which are starches? So I guess I assumed pasta would be about the same?? But during this period, I'm to continue my protein shakes. Once I graduate to solids, if I can get enough protein in through my food, I won't have to drink the yucky shakes. I don't think I could eat blended meat. :/

Don't worry though. For lunch, I had scrambled eggs! Yum! And for dinner, I am having cottage cheese.

But I am DYING for a salad. I need veggies so bad...maybe I'll make some sweet potatoes!

Shrinkingviolet,

My doc. said that I would be on the protein shakes til I reach my weight goal. Isn't it sooooo weird how all our doctors have diff. opinions. But then again you know what they say about opinions. LOL

My doctor told me that I would only be eating 2 oz. meals but it seems that, that would be impossible to get all your food groups. That's not even a bite each. Have I misunderstood?

thank you for posting your list