Stages of Gastric Bypass Diet and the Liquid Diet Plan

Eating after gastric bypass surgery usually progresses stage-by-stage, as follows:

Diet 1 - Clear Liquids Only
Commences about 1 day after bypass - lasts for about 2 days.

Diet 2 - Full Liquid Eating Plan
Commences about 2 days after bypass. Full liquid diet lasts 10-14 days.

Diet 3 - Semi-Solid (Puree) Eating Plan
Commences about 2-3 weeks after bypass - lasts upwards of 5 weeks.

Diet 4 - Low-Fat Solids Eating Plan
Commences on the advice of your bariatric physician - lasts for life.

Liquid Diet Plan

Diet 1 - Clear Liquids
You will be placed on a complete liquid diet plan for the first 3 weeks following surgery. For the first 1-2 days after bypass, you must take sips of clear liquids only and be aware of feelings of fullness. Appropriate fluids include: diluted fruit juice, water, sugar-free jello, broth, etc.

Diet 2 - Full Liquids
After 1-2 days, if no problems are experienced with clear liquids, the gastric bypass diet progresses (on the advice of your physician) to milk, strained cream soups and commercial protein supplements, like diet Carnation Instant Breakfast. Typically this stage of the diet commences before discharge from the hospital and lasts for 1 to 2 weeks. Your dietitian or nutritionist will advise you as to the type and quantity of liquid supplements required to meet your nutrient needs during this early post-operative period.

Sample Menu of Full Liquid Diet Plan

- Eat five times a day.
- Always begin with the protein source.
- Eat slowly.
- Stop when you feel full.
- Avoid extra liquids during meals.

Breakfast
1/2 Cup Carnation Instant Breakfast (no sugar added) made with skim milk
1/2 Cup Sugar free jello

Mid-Morning
1/2 Cup diluted fruit juice

Lunch
1/2 Cup smooth no sugar added, low fat “light” yogurt
1/2 Cup broth

Mid-Afternoon
Sugar free Popsicle

Dinner
1/2 Cup strained cream soup made with skim milk
1/2 Cup low sodium V-8 juice

Between Meals
Have at least 4 cups low calorie liquids, sipped slowly during the day.

Note: Gastrointestinal weight loss surgery, whether bypass or stomach banding, to reduce severe clinical obesity is a serious undertaking requiring detailed consultation with your doctor and bariatric physician. In particular, it necessitates significant lifelong changes to a patient's diet and eating habits.