Post Surgery Care

 

Soft Foods

Usually about five weeks after surgery, bariatric patients will begin to eat tender cooked foods such as fish and ground turkey. You will need to chew food well. With some foods or if you wear dentures, you may find chewing easier if you first cut the food into small bites. If you swallow food that’s not thoroughly chewed, you may experience vomiting or stomach irritation and swelling. For gastric banding patients, vomiting may contribute to band slippage or stretching the small stomach pouch about the band. Poorly chewed chunks of food also pose a risk of blocking the digestive tract for gastric bypass patients.

If you encounter difficulties with soft food, you may need to return to the liquid diet for a while and then slowly add soft foods. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor or dietitian who can provide advice for your specific situation.

Liquids will pass through the reduced stomach pouch quickly without making you feel full, so it’s best to avoid drinking liquids with your meals. Instead, keep hydrated by drinking 6 to 8 cups of water per day between meals. This will be important now and later to maintain the proper nutritional intake.

Now, you’re on your way to forming the eating patterns that will allow you to achieve your weight-loss goals. To learn more about long-term dietary guidelines for you, see the Nutrition page.

 

Immediately After Surgery

Liquid Diet

Pureed Foods

Soft Foods