Leena Watts
Gastric sleeve surgery is a serious procedure for weight loss. It involves reducing the size of the stomach, which cannot be reversed. The success of the surgery depends on the diet followed before and after the procedure. Before the surgery, the diet aims to reduce fatty deposits around the liver, which makes the procedure safer and easier. After the surgery, the diet is geared towards aiding recovery, avoiding complications, and helping patients acquire healthy eating habits. In the first week after surgery, patients are restricted to a clear liquid diet, which helps to avoid postoperative complications and gives the body time to heal. In the following weeks, thicker liquids, blended and pureed foods, and eventually soft foods are introduced. Patients are advised to eat balanced meals with small portions, focusing on foods low in calories, fats, and sweets, and rich in protein. It is important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines to prevent nutrient deficiencies, preserve muscle tissue, and ensure proper nutrition and weight loss.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pre-surgery diet | A strict diet that reduces calories and carbohydrates, such as sweets, potatoes, and pasta. |
| Patients should eat primarily lean protein, vegetables, and low- or no-calorie fluids. | |
| The diet should be followed for 2-4 weeks before surgery. | |
| The daily caloric intake should be around 800 to 1,200 calories. | |
| Post-surgery diet (Week 1) | Clear liquid diet, including water, broth, decaffeinated beverages, and sugar-free drink mixes. |
| Avoid carbonated beverages, caffeine, and sugar. | |
| Post-surgery diet (Week 2) | Thicker liquids, such as applesauce, cream of wheat, Greek yogurt, protein shakes, and sugar-free ice cream. |
| Post-surgery diet (Week 3) | Soft and pureed foods, such as minced or wafer-thin meats, fish, cooked vegetables, rice, and pasta. |
| Aim for three small meals per day, and one protein drink. | |
| Post-surgery diet (Week 4 onwards) | Introduce crispy foods such as melba toast or breadsticks with low-fat cream cheese or hummus. |
| After 7-8 weeks, resume a normal, fairly solid, and healthy balanced diet. | |
| General guidelines | Avoid sugar, as it can contribute to dumping syndrome and provides empty calories. |
| Chew each mouthful of food at least 20 times before swallowing. | |
| Avoid tough or fibrous foods, such as tough meats and stringy vegetables. | |
| Portion sizes will remain smaller, and drinks should be kept to 30 minutes either side of meals. |
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Pre-surgery diet
Preparing a pre-surgery diet is a crucial step in ensuring the success of gastric sleeve surgery and reducing the risk of complications. The diet helps to shrink the liver, making it easier for the surgeon to access the stomach and reducing the chances of complications during the procedure. It is also important for establishing healthy eating habits and promoting weight loss. Typically, a pre-surgery diet should be followed for one to three weeks before the procedure, although this may vary depending on individual factors such as BMI and surgeon recommendations.
The pre-surgery diet for gastric sleeve surgery typically involves a clear liquid diet for two to three days before the procedure. During this time, patients can consume water, broth, sugar-free drinks, decaf tea, and sugar-free electrolyte beverages. It is important to note that solid foods are restricted during this phase. In addition to the clear liquid diet, patients are usually required to fast after midnight before the surgery, which is a standard safety measure for general anesthesia.
In the weeks leading up to the surgery, patients are advised to follow a low-calorie, high-protein diet. This may include protein meal replacement shakes and low-starch vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli. Carbohydrates, especially refined sugars, should be limited or eliminated, as they are a major contributor to calorie intake. Breads and pastas can be included in moderation, but portion control is important. It is recommended to work with a dietitian to optimise nutritional intake and portion control during this phase.
In addition to dietary changes, it is important to incorporate an exercise routine and improve cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) function before surgery. Smoking cessation is also crucial to improving health and reducing the risk of complications during and after surgery. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider and surgeon to determine the specific pre-surgery diet and lifestyle changes that are appropriate for the individual.
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Post-surgery diet
Gastric sleeve surgery is a serious procedure that requires a strict pre-operative and post-operative diet to be successful. The post-surgery diet will help you avoid potential health complications such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and gastric leaks. It will also help you achieve your long-term weight loss goals.
For the first week after surgery, you will be restricted to a clear liquid diet, including water, broth, decaffeinated beverages, and sugar-free drink mixes. It is important to stay hydrated, but you should avoid sugar as it can contribute to dumping syndrome, which results in severe nausea, fatigue, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
In the second week, you can start adding thicker liquids to your diet, such as applesauce, cream of wheat, Greek yogurt, protein shakes, and sugar-free ice cream and puddings. You should also start introducing soft and pureed foods, such as scrambled eggs, cooked vegetables, rice, and pasta. It is important to chew each mouthful of food at least 20 times before swallowing and to aim for three small meals per day, plus one protein drink to help you reach your daily protein goal.
After about two weeks of soft foods, you can start introducing crispy foods, such as melba toast or breadsticks with low-fat cream cheese or hummus. Remember to continue chewing your food thoroughly and to avoid tough or fibrous textures, such as tough meats and stringy vegetables.
By seven to eight weeks after surgery, you should be able to resume a normal-textured, fairly solid, and healthy balanced diet. However, portion sizes will remain smaller, and certain foods may cause discomfort. It is important to work with a dietitian to create a personalized list of foods that suit your individual needs and taste preferences.
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Foods to avoid
Following gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to follow a strict dietary plan to ensure a successful recovery, prevent complications, and achieve long-term weight loss goals. The diet after the surgery will depend on many factors, including the extent of the surgery and how well the person tolerated it. Here are some foods and drinks that should be avoided or minimized:
Sugary foods and drinks
Sugar should be avoided or at least minimized in the long term. This includes sweets, soda, and other foods or drinks with added sugars. Sugar can contribute to dumping syndrome, a complication caused by too much sugar entering the small intestine quickly, resulting in severe nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and even vomiting.
Tough or fibrous foods
In the weeks following surgery, it is important to introduce solid foods gradually, starting with soft foods and progressing to more solid foods over time. Tough or fibrous foods, such as tough meats like steak and stringy vegetables like celery, should be avoided initially as they can be difficult to chew and digest.
High-calorie and high-carbohydrate foods
Before surgery, patients are typically placed on a calorie-restricted diet to reduce the size of their liver, making the surgery safer and easier to perform. This diet often involves reducing calories and carbohydrates, so it is important to continue avoiding high-calorie and high-carbohydrate foods in the short term, such as sweets, potatoes, and pasta.
Carbonated beverages
Carbonated drinks should be avoided, especially in the early stages of recovery. Instead, focus on consuming clear liquids, such as water, broth, and decaffeinated beverages.
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Foods to eat
Following gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to follow a strict dietary plan to ensure a successful recovery, prevent complications, and achieve long-term weight loss goals. The diet will vary depending on the individual, but there are some general guidelines to follow.
During the first week after surgery, it is recommended to stick to a clear liquid diet, including water, clear broth, decaffeinated beverages, and sugar-free drink mixes. This helps to avoid complications such as bowel obstruction, gastric leakage, and dehydration. It is important to avoid sugar during this time as it can contribute to dumping syndrome, a complication caused by too much sugar entering the small intestine, resulting in severe nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting.
In the second week, thicker liquids can be introduced, such as applesauce, cream of wheat, Greek yogurt, and protein shakes. It is also important to start adding protein to your diet, aiming for 60-80g per day. Soft and pureed foods can also be introduced, such as scrambled eggs, cooked vegetables, rice, and pasta. It is recommended to have three small meals per day at this stage.
After two weeks, crispy and solid foods can be gradually introduced, such as melba toast, breadsticks, lean meats, fish, and cottage cheese. It is important to chew each mouthful of food at least 20 times before swallowing to aid digestion.
Around one month after surgery, it is recommended to focus on consuming fiber-rich foods to support weight loss. A dietitian can provide guidance and create a personalized list of foods to suit individual needs and tastes. It is important to remember that portion sizes will remain smaller, and certain foods may cause discomfort.
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Long-term diet
Following gastric sleeve surgery, patients will need to eat smaller meals more frequently for the rest of their lives. Portion sizes will remain small, and certain foods may cause discomfort. Patients will need to alter their eating behaviours to reduce the risk of post-surgical complications.
In the long term, patients should focus on consuming foods that contain a lot of fibre. A fibre-rich diet can support weight loss following surgery. They should also prioritise nutrient-dense whole foods over ultra-processed snacks. Carbonated drinks, including those with sugar, no-calorie options, and seltzer, can all contribute to gas and bloating and should be avoided. Fried foods should be limited due to their high-calorie density. High-sugar foods should be consumed in small amounts and infrequently.
To stay well-hydrated, patients should drink at least 2 litres of water or non-caloric fluids daily, unless this is contraindicated due to a medical condition. Drinks should be kept to 30 minutes either side of meals.
In addition, patients may need to take supplements on a daily basis to prevent nutrient deficiencies. This includes a high-potency daily chewable multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains a minimum of 18 mg of iron, 400 mcg of folic acid, selenium, copper, and zinc. They should also take 1,200 to 2,000 mg of calcium daily to prevent calcium deficiency and bone disease.
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Frequently asked questions
In the weeks leading up to the surgery, you should be eating 800 to 1,200 calories a day. Two or three days before the surgery, switch to an all-liquid diet of water, broth, gelatins, and low-calorie sports drinks. This diet helps reduce fatty deposits around the liver, making the procedure safer and easier for the doctor.
For the first week after the surgery, continue with the same clear liquid diet you followed before the surgery. This includes water, broth, decaffeinated beverages, and sugar-free drink mixes. In the second week, you can add thicker liquids such as applesauce, cream of wheat, Greek yogurt, protein shakes, and sugar-free ice cream and pudding. From there, you can gradually add blended and pureed foods. For the first two months, your calorie intake should be between 300 and 600 calories a day, not exceeding 1,000 calories.
Avoid sugar, carbonated beverages, caffeine, rice, bread, raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and meats that are not easily chewed, such as pork and steak. Alcohol should also be avoided as it is absorbed into your system much faster after surgery. For the first three months, do not eat acidic or citrus foods such as tomatoes, lemons, oranges, or limes.
It is important to take only two to three sips or bites at a time of any new food and then wait 10 minutes before taking more. You should also drink at least 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids daily to stay well hydrated. Keep a daily record of your food portions and your calorie and protein intake.
