Eating after weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity, but what happens after the procedure is important.

Good recovery from weight loss surgery requires following a specific, staged diet and letting your body heal and adapt to a new way of eating and drinking.

Each stage of a post-surgery eating plan is designed to make recovery as easy as possible and help you develop healthier eating habits, while supporting overall health.

This eating guide provides a snapshot of what you might expect following weight loss surgery and will provide some tips on how to support your own healing.

However, it is important to follow your healthcare team’s recommendations as every person’s recovery journey is different.

After weight loss surgery you will not be able to eat and drink the same volume as before.

Your stomach size and shape, your appetite and even the way you digest food, may have changed. It’s important that you reintroduce foods in a certain way to ensure you have the best recovery from surgery and the most effective long-term outcomes.

The following staged diet can help to:

• prevent post-surgery complications
• start to develop new health eating habits
• maintain good energy levels
• avoid dehydration.

While the stages of a post-surgery diet can be challenging to get used to, they will give you and your body the best chance of success.

The goal of this first stage in the first few days post-surgery is to keep your body properly hydrated and help promote the early stages of healing.

During this phase you will have clear liquids only, which may include:

• water
• clear broth
• some types of juice.

It is important to sip slowly through the day and stop when you feel full.

In the first few weeks after surgery, liquids will make up your whole diet. This is to give your body a chance to heal from surgery and slowly adapt to the way your stomach will store foods and digest them.

This stage also introduces protein to your body which is important for healing and muscle growth.

Your doctors will advise you as to what you can eat and how much, but some of the more substantial liquids you may be able to introduce might include:

• Yogurt
• Protein shakes
• Custards
• Milk
• Clear soups.

You should avoid any solid foods, such as vegetables in soup and full fat or sugary liquids.

During this third stage that may last up to 6 weeks, you are able to gradually introduce more textured food, while still giving your body a chance to heal and adapt to its new normal.

You can use a blender to help break down solid foods, such as meat and vegetables, into a pureed consistency. Adding a clear broth or milk to foods can help to create the right texture.

Examples might include:

Breakfast: Smooth scrambled egg or protein shake

Lunch: Pureed chicken/fish and pumpkin

Dinner: Blended vegetable soup

During this stage you will be eating up to 6 times a day, but only in about half cup portions. It is important to eat slowly and avoid drinking while eating.

During this phase it can help to listen to the cues your body is sending and to stop eating when you feel satisfied rather than completely full.

During this stage you can introduce more substantial and textured dishes as your tolerance starts to increase.

It is still important that any foods you do eat are still soft, think anything you could mash easily with a fork.

This might include:

• soft fish, minced chicken, slow-cooked meats
• steamed vegetables, mashed potato, soft fruit
• low-fat cottage cheese, avocado, and omelettes.

Protein should be the main priority, then vegetables. At this stage you may want to reintroduce whole grains but should avoid raw vegetables, seeds and nuts, rice, dry bread and anything that needs to be chewed extensively before swallowing.

Your body may need time to adapt to this phase and if you experience any nausea or vomiting you can return to the previous stage until you feel more ready.

Listen to your body and follow your healthcare team’s advice.

After about 2 months your body should have healed enough that you can eat a more varied diet. This might include things like steak, nuts and seeds, rice and pasta.

However, you will not be able to return to your pre-surgery portion sizes as your stomach no longer has the same capacity it once did.

It’s important for long-term health and positive results that you prioritise protein and vegetables, avoid fried foods and stay well hydrated between meals.

Alcohol and fizzy drinks should also be avoided or consumed in very small amounts.

Your body will change after weight loss surgery and it’s good to expect that you may have to learn new ways of eating and drinking.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after your surgery, talk to your healthcare team who will be able to help.

And remember, change takes time and it’s good to be patient with your body and yourself as you both get used to a new normal.