Bariatric Diet Stages

Every Bariatric program is different in how they advance the diet after weight loss surgery. After gastric sleeve or bypass you may have three phases or stages of diet transition or you may have up to eight or more.

The stages will consist of a liquid stage, a soft stage, and a solid or “regular” stage.

But why do programs differ on how many diet stages there are? How can you know if a recipe fits YOUR bariatric diet stage?

In this video and blog, we are covering:

Why do bariatric programs differ in their post-op bariatric diet phases?
The three main diet stages after Gastric Sleeve are bypass, DS, SADI, etc.

Why programs differ in the post-op diet stages

Some programs might have three stages after surgery but another program might have eight! Why is that? (And comment below with how many stages you had!)

The short answer is that there is no evidence for a standard approach, so there is no standard. Bariatric teams will utilize research, experience, knowledge, and preference to create a process for how to reintroduce foods and beverages after bariatric surgery.

The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has a lot of wonderful standards of care and if you have surgery at a “Center of Excellence,” that means your program is following those standards.

When it comes to diet stages and phases, they will look different, but will have a similar framework.

What stages to expect and why – the number on the stage will differ for each program!

The framework is the transition of liquids to softer textured proteins to solid textured proteins and adding in vegetables along the way.

Some programs might have their liquid diet divided into two stages with clear liquids being the first part and full liquids being the second. That might be two stages at some clinics but another clinic might call all of that Phase 1.

Stage or Phase 1: Clear and Full Liquids

Post-surgery, your first couple of days begin with the Clear Liquid Phase. You’ll get a tray at the hospital with items like broth, herbal tea, sugar-free jello, or maybe even a sugar-free popsicle. You’ll be sipping on water immediately and consistently.

When protein shakes are added in, you are moving into a Full Liquid Phase. You can make shakes at home but use water or unsweetened almond milk for a mixer. You can add extracts for flavor but skip adding any fruits.

This liquid phase is to keep stress low on your healing stomach and make sure you can stay hydrated before we introduce the no drinking with meals rule.

You’ll get a lot of information from your program on protein shakes! If you need more, comment below!

Stage or Phase 2: Pureed or Mushy (which sounds worse??)

The Pureed Food Phase introduces protein foods that have more texture than a protein shake but are still very soft. Think scrambled eggs, shaved deli meat, fat-free refried beans, tuna with light mayo – but no onion or relish. We’re skipping chunks at this phase and just looking for soft protein.

This is the time to get your training wheels on with your eating behaviors. We also want to make sure you can hit your water goals now that the no-drinking rule is in play.

Some programs will have very specific rules on what is considered pureed. Others will have these foods separated into specific stages. Always refer back to your program’s information on what you’re allowed to eat in each stage.

Tip: Instead of Googling “Phase 2 foods” use descriptive words since the phases are different for everyone. Use words that describe the phase like pureed, mushy, or soft.

Stage or Phase 3: Solid foods or “Regular” Bariatric Diet

Broken record alert, every program is different so the regular diet might come at stage 8 for you! The framework of the diet stages is liquid, then soft, and then solid…but…the number of stages is going to be different.

Once you are cleared to move into solid textured proteins (ground beef, pork chops, lean steak, chicken breast, etc) then you are on what’s often called the Bariatric Regular Diet.

This phase is exciting but can bring up a lot more questions! This is why I have a full video library covering all of those big questions like Hunger after Bariatric Surgery

Here is a blog on what I call my 2:1 protein method to help describe my approach to knowing how much to eat after surgery. It compares it against the Bariatric Plate Method.

Hydration, it’s a BIG deal

The number one reason why patients are re-admitted to the hospital after bariatric surgery is not from a complication, it’s from dehydration.

Along all the phases, the number one priority will be getting in your water every day and not getting behind. Nausea increases with dehydration which makes it even harder to drink. Ugh! Rude. However, if you feel you need help getting back hydrated don’t hesitate to go in.

Here is a blog that deep dives on water and how much you need after bariatric surgery.

These diet phases are not for the faint of heart! It’s part of the process to heal from a major surgery, stay hydrated, and learning how to eat for your small stomach pouch after surgery.

I am so excited about your bariatric journey! I hope you save this site as a resource for you in daily life with resources, education, and community. Find out more about Premier Access here!