2 Weeks Pre-Op
Pre-Op Diet
Leading up to surgery you will first meet with a dietitian who will guide you through your eating journey. Your new diet actually starts two weeks before your surgery date. Believe it or not, the main reason you are put on a diet so far in advance is to shrink the size of your liver. Being overweight will also mean your liver is too. Over the years you have acquired fatty liver disease in which fat cells accumulate around and inside your liver. A large liver during gastric sleeve surgery would increase your risk of complications. By following the gastric sleeve diet that is recommended by your dietitian will cause your liver to shrink in size, and allow for safer surgery.
Day 1 – 2 Post-Op
Gastric Sleeve Diet • Stage 1 • Clear Liquid
For the first day after surgery, you will only be allowed to eat ice chips or even very small sips of water. For the next day or two, you will be on a clear liquid diet, such as apple juice, broth, popsicles, and Gatorade (sugar-free). You must record what and when you drink. Remember to take small sips, not gulps, no straws , and keep sipping throughout the day to stay hydrated- your body is used to getting a lot of fluids from food which it will no longer be getting.
Goal:
- 1oz every hour for 4 hours • 2oz every hour for 4 hours • 3oz every hour for 4 hours • 4oz every hour for 4 hours
Day 3 – 13 Post-Op
Gastric Sleeve Diet • Stage 2 • Full Liquid
After a couple of days post gastric sleeve diet, you will be able to introduce liquids such as vegetable juice and milk. This diet consists of low-fat blended and full liquids. The portions are very small to help prevent vomiting. These small high protein meals will help your new stomach heal. You are to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
Goal:
Total fluids: • 6-8 cups /day; more if tolerated. • Drink 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup fluids every hour. • Protein: 40 – 50+ grams/day; more if tolerated • Number of meals: 4 – 6 meals. Most meals average 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup. You will be drinking throughout the day
Weeks 2 – 3 Post-Op
Gastric Sleeve Diet • Stage 3 • Pureed Food
This diet is blended foods with one new solid food added daily. The portions are very small to help prevent vomiting. You will need to avoid spicy foods, raw fruits, raw vegetables, rice, and crackers. The moister the food is, the better it will blend. An example would be, yogurt pureed with frozen strawberries, or low-fat cream of chicken soup blended with canned, drained chicken breast. You still need to drink plenty of water in between the 6 mini-meals per day.
Goal:
•Total fluids: 6-8 cups /day; more if tolerated. •Drink 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup fluids every hour. •Protein: 40 – 50+ grams/day; more if tolerated •Number of meals: 3 small meals + 3 small snacks every 2 hours.
Weeks 4 – 6 Post-Op
Gastric Sleeve Diet • Stage 4 • Soft Food
After a few weeks of soft, pureed foods it’s time for a change. With your nutritionist’s approval, you can typically add soft, solid foods to your diet. These would typically include: soft fruits, finely diced moist meats, cooked vegetables.
Goal:
Total fluids: •7-8 cups /day; more if tolerated. •Drink 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup fluids every hour. •Protein: 50 – 60+ grams/day; more if tolerated •Number of meals: 3 small meals + 3 small snacks every 2 hours.
Weeks 7 – 8 Onwards
Gastric Sleeve Diet• Stage 5 • Regular Diet
After about 2 months, your surgeon will probably approve you to eat solid foods. While this is very exciting- start slowly. You may find that spicy and/or crunchy foods can be difficult to tolerate. Eat one new food at a time and give yourself time to digest. You’ll be surprised at how full you will feel. This is a great opportunity to start new eating habits. Enjoy every bite of your food.
Goal:
•Total fluids: 8 + cups /day; more if tolerated. •Drink 1⁄2-3⁄4 cup fluids every hour. •Protein: 60 – 80+ grams/day; more if tolerated •Number of meals: 3 small meals + 3 small snacks every 2 hours.
Protein
Protein is necessary for proper healing of your incision and your new stomach. It is also important for keeping muscle mass during weight loss. Not enough protein in your diet results in poor healing, hair loss, and an overall decrease in energy. Because you will be eating smaller amounts with your new stomach, it is important to choose foods that are high in protein. Meat and dairy foods are high in protein. Try to include at least one serving from one of these groups at each meal and snack.
Your first goal is 50 grams a day after surgery then aim for daily goal protein intake of 60 -90 grams a day.
When possible, swap out high fat protein for healthier lean protein.
| Choose: • Lean cuts of red meat • Skinless chicken breast • Tofu • Lentil and legumes • Low-fat dairy | Limit: • Fatty cuts of red meat • Bacon • Pork sausages • Battered and fried meat • High-fat cheese |
The 360 Sleeve Experience
Water & Fluid
It is very important to stay hydrated before and after surgery. Water is the preferred choice of fluid.
It is found in every cell of your body and functions in many important ways.
Water:
- Helps break down stored fat
- Promotes kidney function and helps rid the body of waste
- Is the best treatment for fluid retention
- Maintains proper muscle tone and helps prevent sagging skin
- Helps relieve constipation
- Sip water and other fluids often between meals for the first few weeks
- Wait 30 minutes before and after a meal to drink
- Keep a record of your fluid intake. Daily target fluid intake 8 cups fluids (all fluids i.e. water, milk, juice, soup)
- Carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages are not permitted after surgery.
- Choose decaf coffee and herbal tea.
Micronutrient Supplements
- Take 1-2 Chewable tabs or liquid Multivitamin supplement daily for a lifetime
- Serving size will depend on individual products.
- MVI must provide at least 200% RDA for iron (36mg), folic acid (800mcg) and thiamine (3mg), and 2 mg of copper Separate and take with meal, protein drink, or milk to improve tolerance
- DO NOT TAKE with calcium to improve iron absorption. Separate calcium and iron by 2-4 hours
- DO NOT TAKE ANY supplements in gummy form. Gummies do not have all the vitamins and minerals you need, are not well absorbed & can get stuck.
Gastric Sleeve Diet Portion Plate
A gastric sleeve portion plate is a great tool to help patients with portion control.
The sections on the gastric sleeve portion plate reflect post-surgery diet recommendations to help patients maintain a healthy diet.
These plates are usually small, around 7 -9 inches in diameter, which gives patients the illusion of a “full” plate despite smaller portions.
Protein – 3 oz.
Choose Lean Protein: •Lean cuts of red meat •Skinless chicken breast •Tofu •Lentil and legumes •Low-fat dairy Eat Protein first – Eating the protein portion of your meal first helps you to get enough protein even if you are too full to finish the entire meal. Your body needs 60 to 80 grams of protein each day. Because of the small amount of food you are eating it is important to make sure half (50%) of the food you eat is protein.Vegetables – 1/3 Cup
Choose Non-Starchy Vegetables:
•Artichoke •Asparagus •Arugula •Brussels •Sprouts •Broccoli •Cabbage •Carrots •Cauliflower •Celery •Cucumber •Eggplant •Leafy Greens •Lettuce •Mushrooms •Peppers •Spinach •Sprouts •String Beans •Tomato •Zucchini
Healthy Carbs – 1/4 Cup
Choose Complex Carbs:
•Vegetables •Quinoa •Barley •Legumes •Oat •Potatoes •Whole Grains
