April 7, 2022

Gastric Sleeve Diet: Eating Plan After Surgery Week by Week

Diet & Nutrition • Post Operative Care

Eating Plan After Bariatric Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery or sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass is a transformative experience that not only helps you lose weight but also improves your overall health. However, the journey doesn’t end in the operating room; it continues with a well-planned diet. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to eat after your gastric sleeve surgery, week by week.

Gastric sleeve surgery will change your life in more ways than one. You’ll lose the weight you’ve so desperately been trying to lose for years and at the same time, dramatically improve your health.

Your energy levels will increase, you’ll be able to climb the stairs with more ease, fasten your seatbelt on an airplane, and play with your children on the floor… and yes, it will also change the way that you eat.

Most of our patients worry about what their diet will look like following sleeve surgery. They wonder if they will be able to eat normally, enjoy the foods they once loved, and dine at restaurants with friends and family.

So let’s take a detailed look at what you can expect:

Weeks 1-6: The Recovery Phase

Week 1-2: Full Fluids Diet

During the first two weeks post-surgery, you’ll be on a full fluids diet. This primarily includes protein shakes that are easy to digest and support healing.

Week 3: Pureed Diet

In the third week, you’ll transition to a pureed diet. This means foods that are blended to a smooth consistency to ensure easy digestion.

Week 4-6: Soft Diet

For the next three weeks, you’ll be on a soft diet, which includes foods that are easy to chew and swallow, like mashed potatoes and soft fruits.

Key Takeaway: By the end of the sixth week, you should be ready to transition to a regular diet.

Week 6 and Beyond: The New Normal

After six weeks, you’re ready to start eating a regular diet again, but what does that look like for you now?

Mindful Eating

Post the sixth week, you can start eating a regular diet but with more mindfulness. You’ll need to be cautious about portion sizes and prioritize high-protein foods like chicken, beef, fish, and eggs.

Foods to Avoid

Steer clear of foods that are hard to swallow, such as steak, bread, and fibrous vegetables like asparagus. Also, avoid drinking liquids 15 minutes before and 30 minutes after meals to leave room for nutrient-rich foods.

Daily Vitamins

Don’t forget to take your daily vitamins to supplement your diet and ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

It’s also interesting to note that you may no longer crave your favourite foods in the same way you once did.

The Hormonal Impact on Your Diet After Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery is more than a weight loss operation, it’s a hormone operation. When we remove a portion of your stomach, not only are we reducing your stomach size, we’re also reducing the number of hunger-causing hormones your body produces.

As a result, your appetite and cravings tend to be substantially diminished.

Following surgery, patients often report not experiencing the same urge to eat the foods they once insatiably craved, not because they’re full, or nauseous, but because they simply don’t want to.

Personalized Nutritional Support

You won’t be navigating these dietary changes alone. Our team of nutrition experts will provide detailed counseling, recipes, and meal plans tailored to your needs, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or have specific food allergies.

Peer Support Groups

We offer private peer support groups to connect you with others who have undergone the same journey, offering a community of support and shared experiences.

If you’d like to learn more about gastric sleeve surgery, and our 5-year aftercare program, contact us today. At Sleeve Clinic – #1 Weight loss clinic in Toronto ON, we specialize in gastric sleeve surgery. Our team of experienced gastric sleeve surgeons and supportive staff are committed to your weight loss journey. We offer comprehensive care, from initial consultation to post-operative support.

Dr. Scott Gmora, Bariatric Surgeon, MD FRCSC FACS

Dr. Scott Gmora is a double board-certified weight loss surgeon. He is a bariatric surgeon at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, the designated lead Bariatric Centre of Excellence in the province. Dr. Gmora is also an Associate Professor of surgery at McMaster University where he serves a senior faculty member training future bariatric surgeons. He is the proud founder of The Sleeve Clinic which provides private, out-of-hospital gastric sleeve surgery to Canadians struggling with obesity.