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Post Bariatric Surgery Diet

Making good food choices and eating a balanced diet will help you shed pounds after bariatric surgery and maintain a healthy weight for life.

Your bariatric surgeon will advance you through each phase of the post bariatric surgery diet plan — beginning right after surgery — until you’re ready for the final, lifelong phase.

Eating After Bariatric Surgery: Post-Bariatric Surgery Nutrition

The table below outlines the progression for most bariatric surgery patients. Remember, everyone is different and will progress at different speeds. Eating after bariatric surgery will become easier over time, as you progress through the post surgery diet plan.

Post bariatric surgery diet plan

Timeframe for Gastric Bypass Patients:

  • Phase 1: Clear Liquid Diet - Weeks 1 and 2
  • Phase 2A: Full Liquid Diet - N/A
  • Phase 2B: Puréed Diet - Weeks 3 and 4 (Begin using protein supplements)
  • Phase 3: Adaptive/Soft Diet - Months 2 and 3
  • Phase 4: Stabilization Diet - Month 4 and Lifelong

Timeframe for Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Patients:

  • Phase 1: Clear Liquid Diet - Week 1
  • Phase 2A: Full Liquid Diet - Week 2 (Begin using protein supplements)
  • Phase 2B: Puréed Diet - Week 3
  • Phase 3: Adaptive/Soft - Weeks 4 and 5
  • Phase 4: Stabilization Diet - Week 6 and Lifelong

Learn more about what to expect after bariatric surgery.