Post Sleeve Gastrectomy: Diet and the Most Important Instructions

Published at 16 October 2024

It is essential to follow a diet after sleeve gastrectomy to help you recover, adapt to surgery, promote weight loss, and prevent complications. Here are the details about that. (1)

Diet after sleeve gastrectomy

The diet after sleeve gastrectomy begins by relying on clear liquids only, then gradually moving to thick liquids, then pureed foods, and finally to solid foods. At first, you may find that you feel full very quickly, and you may not feel hungry. This is completely normal, as your appetite will gradually improve over the next few weeks. (2)

These guidelines are general, and you should ask your doctor what suits you, as he may recommend other tips depending on your condition. In general, you can take a trial-and-error approach to find what works for you. (2)

Week 1: Clear liquids

Start with small sips of completely clear liquids, such as: water, broth, herbal and tea without caffeine, and natural juices, and if they are artificial, without sugar, until you try to reach 2 liters of liquids per day, at a rate of 1-2 small cups every hour. Stop when you feel full, and do not drink more than you need, as this will harm you. If you experience pain, discomfort, or vomiting, take fewer sips, leaving more time between them. (3)(8)

Avoid sugary, acidic, carbonated, and caffeinated drinks. (1)

Week 2: Thick liquids

You will move to a full diet of thick liquids, such as dairy products (chhena, skimed milk), and thick soups (lentil, mushroom, oat soup). (8)

During this period, you may feel your appetite increasing, this is completely normal, but it is not a reason to eat solid foods, your body still cannot handle them. (1)

Week 3–4: pureed foods

After your body accepts the fluids, you can start eating mashed, low-fat, sugar-free foods, with a consistency similar to yogurt, in 4-6 small meals every day, each containing 2-3 tablespoons, and this can be increased gradually. (4)

Make sure to eat slowly, chew it well, break it into smaller particles, there should be no hard pieces or peels, and continue to drink up to 2 liters of fluid a day, but between meals and not with them. (4)

Available food options: (3)

Cooked and mashed fish.
Scrambled or boiled eggs.
Soup.
Cheese.
Fruit juice with mashed pieces.
Mashed fruits such as banana, mango or avocado.
Yogurt.
Pudding, custard, and jelly.

Do not eat meat, chicken, and bread, and continue to avoid soft drinks and caffeine. (1)

Week 5-8: Soft foods

You can gradually eat soft foods, such as cooked vegetables, soft fruits, cheese, chicken, and lean meat, in addition to the foods you were eating during the previous period, but without having to mash them, provided that they are soft enough to fall apart when pressed with a fork or spoon. (3)

Eat 3-4 small meals throughout the day, about half a cup per meal, in small bites, chew well before swallowing, and drink up to 2 liters of fluid per day between meals. (3)

After week 8: normal eating

Here are some tips for week 8 and beyond:

Eat regular foods, as long as they are healthy and nutritious. Foods rich in lean protein and fiber, low in sugar, and moderate in carbohydrates are recommended. (5)

Chew food well and slowly, and take your time eating the meal, to avoid dumping syndrome due to large amounts of food entering the intestine quickly. (6)

Drink water, provided that drinking fluids are between meals and not alongside them, and choose foods rich in water, such as fruits and vegetables. (2)

Get 60-80 grams of protein daily, from natural foods or drinks, or by adding powdered protein supplements to smoothies, soups or milk. (3)

In general, if you find that you are having difficulty tolerating the texture of foods at any stage, return to the previous stage for an additional two days, then try again, (3) and monitor the levels of vitamins and nutrients to avoid deficiency, and you may need to use some supplements such as iron, Calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. (7)

Our experienced nutritionists in Hemya Diet Center at Al-Ahli Hospital design plans to fit your unique needs after sleeve gastrectomy. Book your consultation now and invest in your health and happiness.

Forbidden drinks and foods after sleeve gastrectomy

It is recommended to avoid the following foods and drinks after surgery, and possibly even in the long term: (1)(6)

Sugary drinks: To avoid dumping syndrome, feeling of severe nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting, as well as avoid useless calories.
Caffeine: May contribute to acid reflux and dehydration.
Soft drinks and soda: May cause gas and bloating.
Spices: May cause heartburn.
Fried, spicy, or fatty foods: May cause stomach problems.
Fast, processed, or difficult to digest foods: May cause stomach problems.

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