Post Bariatric Surgery Diet Guide: Adjustable Gastric Band

This information is brief and general. It should not be the only source of your information on this health care topic. It is not to be used or relied on for diagnosis or treatment. It does not take the place of instructions from your doctor.

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Day of Surgery and for Rest of Hospital Stay

Drink water and clear liquids (broth, decaffeinated tea and G2), lemon packet and sugar substitute, based on your surgeon’s diet order.

  • Slowly consume 1-2 ounces of fluids every 20 minutes while awake.
  • Stop drinking if you feel any discomfort.

First Week at Home

Try full liquids with 2 high protein shakes daily (at least 25g of protein each).

  • Consult your diet booklet for the acceptable liquids.
  • Sugar free pudding, watery pureed soup and fat free or light yogurt are OK.
  • Slowly consume 1-2 ounces every 20 minutes while awake.
  • Stop drinking/eating if you feel any discomfort.

Second and Third Week at Home:

Move on to pureed food and liquids. The pureed food should be high in protein.

  • Consume one high protein shake daily, with at least 25g protein.
  • No more than 2 ounces of a pureed food every 2 - 3 hours, except for yogurt and pureed soup.
  • Up to 4 ounces of yogurt and ½ cup of pureed soup can be consumed at one time.
  • Eat slowly.
  • Use a baby spoon or espresso spoon to eat.
  • Do not use the medicine cups any longer for food or liquids.
  • Every day consume at least 60g of protein. 

Notes

  • Do not drink with your meals and wait 30 minutes after you have finished eating to drink again.
  • Aim for at least 40 ounces of beverages every day. This can include your high protein shake. You can have caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea.
  • Try to drink 4 ounces every half hour. 

Avoid

  • Food or beverages with too much sugar (such as juices, fruit drinks, non-diet fruited yogurt).
  • Alcoholic drinks for 1 month.
  • Carbonated beverages like diet soda and seltzer.
  • Straws for drinking
  • Whole pills/capsules until you can tolerate soft solid food.
  • Pills/capsules that are smaller than the tip of your pinkie can be swallowed one week after surgery.
  • Crush pills or open capsules and add to food or beverage. 

Vitamin And Mineral Supplements

When you get home from the hospital, you should start taking: 

  • 2 children’s or 1 adult chewable multi-vitamin with minerals tablet(s) every day. 

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