Every year around 160,000 people have gastric sleeve surgery to help them lose weight. Many people have questions about the long-term diet after gastric sleeve surgery and wonder if they will have food restrictions before or after their operation.
Is there a specific gastric sleeve diet?
Yes. There are some special gastric sleeve diets that you will be instructed to follow before and after your surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Diets
These diets are designed to help prepare your body for the surgery and allow your body to heal after your surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Pre-Op Diet
Before your surgery, you will be given specific dietary instructions to follow that will be designed for your needs and circumstances. Many patients are required to start their gastric sleeve pre-op diet around two weeks before their surgery is scheduled. Following this diet before your surgery is important to your safety during your operation and for other reasons, including:
- To shrink your liver so the surgeon can more easily access your stomach area.
- To reduce the volume of visceral fat on your abdomen.
- To lower the risk of complications.
- To prepare you for the upcoming lifestyle changes.
- To give your body what it needs to better repair itself during the healing process.
Gastric Sleeve Post-Op Diet
After your surgery, you will need to follow a step-by-step eating plan that allows your body to safely heal from surgery and be able to handle processing solid foods once again. This step-by-step process starts with liquids and gradually transitions to include solid foods.
What Can I Expect From A Long-term Diet After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
You will be following a very structured step-by-step plan that will help your stomach adjust to the changes that were made during the surgery as well as help you maintain your weight loss results in the future.
Diet changes are necessary
During gastric sleeve surgery, your stomach is significantly smaller, and you will not be able to eat the same amount of food as you did before, or you may find yourself very uncomfortable and experience nausea or vomiting. It is also more challenging to eat the amount of protein you need for your body to function properly.
You add foods gradually
Your stomach needs time to adjust and heal from the surgical changes, so you will begin with only consuming liquids and gradually add purees, then soft foods, and work up to solid foods.
There is no one size fits all
Your program is usually customized for you and can depend on the preferences of your surgeon, how well your healing is progressing, and how well your body is tolerating what you are eating.
| Stage | Texture | Average Duration | Examples | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stages 1–2 | Clear and full liquids | 1 to 2 weeks | Water, broth, protein shakes, sugar-free gelatin | To consume enough protein and avoid becoming dehydrated or irritating your stomach in the early stages of healing. |
| Stages 3–4 | Pureed and soft foods | From weeks 3 to 6 | Scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, smooth soups, pureed chicken, refried beans | Helps your stomach adjust to thicker, textured foods to help give you energy and an increase in protein. |
| Stage 5 | Regular textured/solid foods | About week 6 and forward | Lean proteins, vegetables, fruit, whole grains | Building a healthy diet that you can follow in the future that helps keep your energy level high and calorie intake low. |
What Do You Eat On A Typical Day After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Once you complete the transition phases of your gastric sleeve post-op diet, you will need to follow certain dietary guidelines that may require permanent lifestyle changes. Below is a sample of a typical menu plan for a day that follows these guidelines.
Example Of Daily Gastric Sleeve Post-Op Diet
- Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs with low-fat cheese and berries
- Mid-Morning Snack
- Greek yogurt or a protein shake
- Lunch
- Grilled chicken with roasted vegetables
- Afternoon Snack
- Cottage cheese with cucumber slices
- Dinner
- Baked salmon with steamed broccoli
- Evening Snack
- 10 to 15 almonds or half a protein shake
Foods To Choose And Avoid On Your Gastric Sleeve Diet
To maintain a healthy weight, you will need to implement permanent lifestyle changes. This is exceptionally important because your smaller stomach will make it harder to consume all the vitamins and protein your body needs.
You should Include:
- Chicken, fish, and eggs, which are good sources of lean protein.
- Soft foods that are easy to digest when your stomach is first healing.
- Drinking enough water and liquids (with no added sugar) to stay properly hydrated.
You should avoid:
- Anything that contains sugar.
- Greasy and fried foods.
- Drinks that are carbonated.
- Alcohol
Safety Tips After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Your gastric sleeve surgery made changes to your digestive system that can impact your health long-term. It is important for your safety that you take the supplements that your doctor recommends, you drink enough liquid to stay properly hydrated, and you keep up with your check-in appointments. Your doctor will provide you with a plan that is personalized just for you based on your nutritional needs and how your recovery is progressing.
Some of the things that can help your recovery go smoother include:
- Take small sips of water several times during the day to help avoid becoming dehydrated.
- Pay attention for dehydration symptoms and make sure to follow your bariatric surgeon’s recommendations for the volume of fluid you need.
- Make sure to consistently take the supplements, vitamins, and minerals prescribed by your bariatric team.
- Attend all of your follow-up appointments so your bariatric team can keep up with your progress and make sure you are getting the nutrition you need.
- Make sure you attend yearly visits with your primary care doctor.
Common Challenges That Can Slow Your Progress
Because your stomach is much smaller than it was, you sometimes can experience nausea, vomiting, or feeling like you have food stuck in your upper chest. This can happen for many reasons, including
- Advancing through your transition diet too quickly
- Eating too fast
- Eating too much at once
- Not chewing food well
- Eating dry foods like bread or chicken too early
- Drinking while eating
Some people develop acid reflux or their existing heartburn gets worse after gastric sleeve surgery because of changes in their stomach size and pressure. You may experience symptoms such as:
- Burning in your chest
- Sour taste in your mouth
- Regurgitation after eating
Red Flags That Need Medical Attention
Many people end up in the hospital after gastric sleeve surgery because of dehydration. Studies have shown that almost 37% of gastric sleeve patients fail to stay properly hydrated and end up in the hospital shortly after their surgery.
It is important for you to recognize the symptoms of dehydration so your condition does not become more serious. Watch for these signs:
- You cannot keep fluids down.
- There is severe pain in your abdomen.
- You feel dizzy or like you are going to faint.
- Your urine is very dark.
- You are throwing up blood.
- There is blood in your stool.
If you are having any of these symptoms after gastric sleeve surgery, you need to get in touch with your bariatric team contact your bariatric team right away or go to urgent care for immediate medical attention.
Lifestyle Habits That Can Help You Maintain Your Results
Your gastric sleeve surgery is a tool that will help you lose weight, but maintaining a healthy weight will involve making permanent changes to your diet and lifestyle. Some of these changes may include:
Eat slowly and mindfully
- Take small bites and chew your food thoroughly.
- Eat slowly so your stomach has time to signal when you are full.
- Avoid eating in front of the TV or while scrolling on your phone.
- Use smaller plates so you eat smaller portions.
Prepare meals and snacks in advance
- Keep easy high-protein foods ready and available for busy days.
- Prepare meals ahead of time to avoid last-minute fast food choices.
- Keep snacks that are quick and easy to grab and go like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, boiled eggs, or protein shakes.
- Make sure to eat your protein first so you get an adequate amount before you are full.
Get enough exercise
- Gradually begin to incorporate physical activity into your daily schedule as guided by your bariatric team.
- Stay active and get a blend of cardio and strength training to help burn calories but maintain your muscle mass.
- Walking is a good place to start because it does not require any special equipment, and you can adjust your speed and distance as you grow stronger.
Build a strong support system
- Stay in close contact with your bariatric team after your surgery.
- Meet with a dietitian to ensure you remain on track with your nutrition goals and to help with meal planning.
- Join a support group or two to help keep you motivated and gain insight from others currently walking a similar path.
- Mental health support may also help with issues like emotional eating and your changing lifestyle.
Where Can I Learn About Non-Surgical Weight Loss In Miami?
You can learn more about effective weight loss from Simmons MD Weight And Healthcare Solutions in Miami, FL. Dr. Okeefe Simmons is triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine and uses his extensive knowledge and training to help his patients improve their health through sustainable weight loss.
He and his team offer several non-surgical solutions, including endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), which offers similar results to gastric sleeve.
ESG does not involve any incisions or a hospital stay and uses stitches placed from the inside to reduce the size of your stomach. You can only eat small portions and stay feeling satisfied for longer, so you lose weight. The recovery is normally less than a week, so you can return to your normal activities almost right away.
Set up your personal consultation to learn more.
FAQs
When Can I Eat Regular Foods After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Usually, it will take around six to eight weeks before you can eat solid foods after gastric sleeve surgery. Everyone is different and will recover at their own speed. Some patients can start eating regular textured foods after a few months, but your timing might be different. Your surgeon will watch your progress and let you know when you can begin introducing solid foods into your diet.
How Much Protein Should I Eat Every Day After My Gastric Sleeve?
Most men need between 70 g and 100 g of protein each day, and women need anywhere from 60 to 80 grams. It is important to make sure to eat protein first at every meal so you do not quickly become full before you have reached your goal for the day.
When Can I Eat Salad, Bread, or Rice Again?
You might never be able to eat these foods again after your surgery, or your body may tolerate some or all of these foods after your stomach has completely healed. These foods are usually added back into your diet slowly to see if they cause you any issues. Some patients tolerate them well, while others may find that some foods make them very uncomfortable after surgery.
What if I Cannot Reach My Protein Goal?
If you are having an issue with eating enough protein, your bariatric team may recommend drinking protein shakes, soft protein foods, or meal adjustments. Talk with your dietitian if you need help with meeting your protein goals.
Can I Drink Water with Meals After Gastric Sleeve?
Most programs recommend you do not drink water or other beverages with your meals to leave enough room in your stomach to get your daily intake of protein. It is recommended that you do not drink anything for at least 30 minutes before or after your meal time to help with portion control and get the best results.
