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Post-Gastric Sleeve Diet: Dietary Guidelines and Important Instructions

Afiaa Al Masri, Chief Dietician, Hemya Center Manager at Al-Ahli Hospital/Qatar

It is essential to follow a specific diet after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery to aid in your recovery, adapt to the surgery, promote weight loss, and prevent complications.

Here are the details: 

The diet after gastric sleeve surgery begins with reliance on clear liquids only, then gradually transitions to full liquids, followed by pureed foods, and finally solid foods. Initially, you may find yourself feeling full very quickly and may not feel hungry at all, which is entirely normal, as your appetite will gradually, improve over the next few weeks. These guidelines are general, and you should consult your doctor about what suits you best, as they may recommend other advice based on your condition. In general, you can follow a trial-and-error approach to find what works best for you.

Week 1: Clear Liquids

Start with small sips of completely clear liquids, such as water, broth, caffeine-free herbal tea, natural juices (if artificial, then sugar-free), aiming to reach 2 liters of fluids daily, at a rate of 1-2 small cups per hour. Stop when you feel full, and do not drink more than necessary as it may harm you. If you experience pain, discomfort, or vomiting, consume smaller sips and leave longer intervals between them.

Avoid sugary, acidic, carbonated, and caffeinated beverages.

Week 2: Full Liquids

You will transition to a full liquid diet, including dairy products (skim milk, yogurt), and thick soups (lentil, mushroom, oat).

During this period, you may experience increased appetite, which is entirely normal, but it is not a reason to consume solid foods, as your body is still unable to handle them.

Weeks 3–4: Pureed Foods

Once your body accepts liquids, you can start consuming pureed, low-fat, sugar-free foods with a consistency similar to yogurt, with 4-6 small meals each day, each containing 2-3 tablespoons, gradually increasing over time.

Ensure that you eat slowly, chew well, and divide the food into smaller particles, avoiding any solid pieces or skins, and continue drinking up to 2 liters of fluids daily between meals, not with them. 

Options for available foods include:

  • Cooked and mashed fish.
  • Whipped or boiled eggs.
  • Broth.
  • Cheese.
  • Fruit juices with mashed pieces.
  • Pureed fruits such as banana, mango, or avocado.
  • Yogurt.
  • Pudding, custard, and jelly.
  • Avoid meat, chicken, bread, and continue to avoid carbonated drinks and caffeine.

Weeks 5-8: Soft Foods

You can gradually introduce soft foods such as cooked vegetables, soft fruits, cheese, and lean meats, in addition to foods consumed during the previous period, but without the need for pureeing, making them soft enough to break apart when pressed with a fork or spoon.

Consume 3-4 small meals throughout the day, with an average of half a cup per meal, in the form of small bites, chew thoroughly before swallowing, and drink up to 2 liters of fluids daily between meals.

After Week 8: Normal Eating

Here are some tips for the eighth week and beyond:

  • Consume regular foods as long as they are healthy and nutritious, preferably high in protein, low in fat and fiber, and moderate in carbohydrates.
  • Chew food well and slowly, take your time with meals to avoid dumping syndrome due to the rapid entry of large amounts of food into the intestines.
  • Drink water, ensuring that liquid intake is between meals rather than alongside them, and choose foods rich in water, such as fruits and vegetables.
  • Aim for 60-80 grams of protein daily, from foods, natural beverages, or by adding protein supplement powder to juices, soup, or milk.

In general, if you find it difficult to tolerate the texture of foods at any stage, return to the previous stage for an additional two days, then try again. Monitor vitamin and nutrient levels to avoid deficiencies, and you may need to use some supplements such as iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. 

Our experienced nutritionists in Hemya Center at Al-Ahli Hospital design personalized nutrition plans to suit your unique needs after gastric sleeve surgery. 

Forbidden Drinks and Foods after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

It is recommended to avoid the following foods and drinks after surgery, possibly even in the long term:

  • Sugary beverages: To avoid dumping syndrome, severe nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, and to avoid unnecessary calories.
  • Caffeine: It may contribute to acid reflux and dehydration.
  • Carbonated drinks and soda: May cause gas and bloating.
  • Spices: May cause heartburn.
  • Fried, spicy, or fatty foods: May cause stomach problems.
  • Fast, processed, or hard-to-digest foods: May cause stomach problems.

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