Bariatric Diet Stages 1 through 3 After Stages
Day before Surgery
Consume liquids only. This can include clear liquids and protein drinks.
Day of Surgery
Clear liquids only after midnight and up until 2 hours before surgery. No intake 2 hours before surgery. Please follow all instructions provided by your surgeon.
Stage 1: Water
Immediately after surgery, you will be given small amounts of water. Remember to sip slowly. Once you tolerate it comfortably, you will advance to stage 2.
Stage 2: Sugar-free Clear liquids
Once you tolerate water, you will be given a sugar-free clear liquid. Examples include diet juice or broth. Once you tolerate it comfortably, you will advance to stage 3.
Stage 3: Full Liquid
In the hospital, you will start on a full-liquid diet. This includes beverages that are low in sugar and high in protein. You will continue this diet once discharged home. You will remain on this diet for 2-3 weeks after discharge.
- Water
- Beverages with 10 Calories or less per serving (example: diet juices, zero sugar sports drinks, flavored water)
- Unsweetened milk (1% milk, reduced fat lactose-free milk, unsweetened soy milk)
- Broth (chicken, beef, vegetable, bone)
- Tomato juice or 100% vegetable juice
- Sugar-free popsicles (less than 20 Calories each)
- Sugar-free gelatin
- Nutrition supplements, protein shakes, and protein powders
Fluid Goals
Consume at least 48 ounces of total fluid per day.
Always sip liquids slowly. Stop drinking immediately if you feel full.
Protein Goals
Consume at least 60 grams of protein per day.
In stage 3, this will come from beverages such as nutrition supplements, protein shakes, protein powders, and milk.
Protein Drink Guidelines:
| <200 Calories per 8 oz serving |
| >15 grams protein per 8 oz serving |
| <15 grams sugar per 8 oz serving |
See Handout “Protein Shake Recommendations” For Brand Examples
| Sample menu 8 am | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 9 am | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 10 am | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 11 am | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 12 pm | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 1 pm | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 2 pm | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 3 pm | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 4 pm | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 5 pm | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 6 pm | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 7 pm | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 8 pm | 4 oz low sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
| 9 pm | 4-8 oz low-sugar clear liquid |
| 10 pm | 4 oz low-sugar nutrition supplement, protein shake, or protein powder |
Goals:
- 60+ grams protein
- 48+ ounces fluid
Questions
If you have any questions about your post-op diet, you can reach us by:
Telephone: 774-443-3886
MyChart: Send your dietitian a MyChart message
To print out this document, please view the pdf.