Gastric sleeve surgery is a major procedure that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you are planning to have this particular type of weight loss surgery, you’ll have to do lots of preparation to prepare for your post-surgery life.
It’s normal to feel very excited but also nervous about gastric sleeve surgery. You can’t wait to see your new body and start living a healthier lifestyle, but you’re also worried about what life is going to be like after the surgery. For sure it’s going to be a huge adjustment.
When you have undergone a gastric sleeve, you will need to follow a very specific diet in the weeks following the procedure. This is necessary to reduce the risk of any major complications and it can also promote a speedy recovery. Your doctor or dietitian will give you a strict diet regimen and details so that you are clear on what you can and can’t eat and drink.
Your pre-gastric diet usually involves reducing your daily calorie intake and cutting back on simple sugars which are some major culprits of weight gain. Your doctor will also advise that you avoid carbonated or caffeinated beverages in the weeks preceding your surgery.
A couple of days before the gastric sleeve surgery, you will be advised to start on a clear liquid diet and would be instructed to take multivitamin tablets to ensure you remain adequately nourished.
Once you are done with your procedure, the post-op gastric sleeve diet begins. Again, this is something that will be clearly laid out by your doctor or dietitian. So if you are unsure of anything, talk to them and ask them so that they can explain it to you further.
The gastric sleeve diet follows a week-by-week structure, where you will make small changes every seven days. Here is a breakdown of the first five weeks of your post-op diet.
Week 1 – Clear Liquids Only
The first week after your surgery, you’ll need to stick to clear liquids only. This reduces the stress on your stomach and reduces the risk of nausea or discomfort.
You can drink still water, decaffeinated coffee or tea, and diluted fruit juice.
Week 2 – Full Liquids
As you enter week two, you’ll be able to consume fuller liquids, such as:
- Smoothies
- Unsweetened milk
- Unsweetened yogurt
- Ice cream and sorbet
- Broths and smooth soups
Week 3 – Puréed Foods
During week three, you can start to incorporate puréed foods into your diet, including:
- Scrambled eggs and tofu
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Mushy cereal
- Mashed fruit
- Thicker blended soups
If you’re wondering about drinking alcohol 3 weeks after gastric sleeve surgery, it’s generally recommended that you avoid alcoholic beverages until at least weeks 4-5.
Week 4 – Soft Foods
At week 4, you can begin to eat soft foods, such as minced meat, well-cooked vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, canned fruit, and unsweetened cereals. You can also consume caffeinated drinks in moderation.
Week 5 – Normal Diet
Five weeks after your surgery, you can resume a normal diet. Your dietitian will create a healthy meal plan for you to follow that contains lots of lean meats and complex carbs, as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables. Don’t be too excited to eat much. just take it slowly. Small frequent meals would be ok.
And lastly, you will be advised to avoid high sugar foods and sugary sodas from this point onwards.
Good luck on your weigh-loss journey! Stay healthy!
