Eating After Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Surgery
What matters the most:
• Drink enough fluids. Aim for at least 8 cups per day. Drink slowly, sip fluids.
• Daily protein goal is 60 grams a day. Drinking 2-3 protein shakes a day will
help meet this goal.
• Eat pureed food 3 times per day at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Be sure to:
• Wait 30 minutes before and after meals before you drink liquids. Use a timer.
• No straws.
• Drink slowly, sip fluids.
• No soda or carbonated liquids
• No juice
• Puree all foods for the first 6 weeks, or use Stage 3 baby food. Increase
diet as directed.
• Eat slowly, chew 30 times per tiny bite.
• Drink 2-3 protein shakes per day. Call the clinic if you have problems
drinking the shakes.
• Eat 3 small meals per day. At first, try 1 tablespoon at each meal.
• No sugar. Fruit or yogurt with 20 grams or less of carbohydrate is okay.
• No fried or high fat food.
• Take vitamins every day: The B complex matters the most.
o 2 Complete chewable multivitamins a day. Take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening.
o Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D, 1200-1500 mg a day. This is the same as 2 Citrical® twice a day. It is best to take with lunch and supper.
o Vitamin B12 500 mcg a day, (this is not a B-complex), under the tongue.
o B-complex or B50 (DO NOT CRUSH)
• Crush or cut to smaller size the pills that are larger than a pencil eraser.
DO NOT crush the B Complex/B 50. It is best to cut in half.
• Take stool softener (no need to poke open the gel cap) and Benefiber®.
This will help to prevent constipation.
Sample Schedule
Use this sample to help you plan your new eating routine. You will need to eat and drink all day long to get everything in. Be sure that you drink enough liquids and get enough protein each day. You may not feel hungry. You may feel that you are forcing yourself to eat. This is normal. It takes time to work out a schedule that is right for you.
At first, it is common to feel overwhelmed. Do your best and do not expect to be perfect. You may want to use a timer. It can help you pace yourself. Then you will not forget to drink. It is vital that you eat on schedule even though you may not feel hungry.
First thing in the morning:
6:30-7:00 am
Chewable multivitamin, Vitamin B12 (under tongue)
B-Complex or B-50 with water, stool softener, Benefiber®
Breakfast
| 7:30-8:00 am | 8:30-10:00 am | 10:30-11:30 am |
| oatmeal, egg* | 12 ounces water | Protein Drink** ( 1 scoop of protein powder in 8 ounces of water or milk) |
Lunch
| 12:00-12:30 pm | 1:00-2:00 pm | 2:30-3:30 pm | 4:00-5:00 pm |
| Calcium Citrate +D. Tuna pureed in mayonnaise and fruit or vegetable* | 8 ounces of water | Protein Drink** | 8 ounces of water |
Dinner
| 5:30-6:00 pm | 6:30-7:00 pm | 7:30-8:00 pm | 9:00-9:30 pm |
| Calcium Citrate +D. Cottage cheese and fruit or meat and vegetable* | 4 ounces of water | Protein Drink** | 4 ounces of water, Chewable Multivitamin |
*Food choices listed are examples, you may choose other foods.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 02/08/2012
Copyright © 02/08/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#7320
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