Your Diet Right After Bariatric Surgery

Your Diet Right After Bariatric Surgery

Level 1 at the Hospital

Immediately after surgery, you’ll follow the Level 1 clear liquid diet that’s prescribed by your surgeon. This is what will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the hospital following your surgery:

  • 4 ounces broth
  • 4 ounces protein juice
  • 4 ounces decaffeinated coffee/tea
  • 4 ounces sugar-free Jello

You CANNOT have the following immediately after surgery:

  • Soda or carbonated beverages
  • Cream or sugar for coffee
  • Salt packets
  • Lemon packets

In addition, you’re not allowed to use straws. It’s recommended that you SLOWLY sip the liquids provided.

Level 1 at Home

After you’re discharged from the hospital, you’ll continue a Level 1 clear liquid diet as prescribed for the type of surgery you had. This is usually 1 to 3 days for people who have had lap band surgery or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and up to 6 days for gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgeries.

You should eat about 4 times a day. Each meal should equal a TOTAL of 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of liquids.

Your at-home clear liquid diet may include:

  • Vegetable, chicken or beef broth (should be low-fat or fat-free). You can add in a beaten egg white or Eggbeaters to boiling broth for a healthy “egg drop” soup.
  • 100% clear fruit juice (apple, cranberry, grape) diluted with water (2 ounces of juice to 2 ounces of water)
  • Sugar-free Jello
  • Crystal Light or sugar-free drinks
  • Sugar-free popsicles
  • Decaffeinated coffee or decaffeinated tea WITHOUT creamer
  • Skim milk is allowed in coffee/tea and can be mixed with protein supplements; to maintain your health, it’s very important to drink your protein supplements
  • Sugar substitutes such as Splenda or Equal are allowed in moderation

It’s recommended that you SLOWLY sip liquids.

You CANNOT have the following:

  • Soda or carbonated beverages
  • Cream or sugar for coffee/tea
  • Fruit nectars or juices with pulp
  • Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Propel, or any drink with more than 5 calories per 8-ounce serving

Moving to Level 2

Your surgeon will let you know when it’s okay to move to a Level 2, full-liquid diet. You usually follow this diet for about 4 weeks after surgery.

What to expect

  • You should eat about 4 times a day and sip water throughout the day.
  • Each meal should equal a TOTAL of 2 to 4 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 cup) of liquids.
  • Take your time and drink/eat meals over 20 minutes; time yourself with a kitchen or phone timer.
  • Drink at least 1 high-protein supplement a day until you move toward protein intake of at least 40 to 60 grams of protein a day.   

A full-liquid diet includes:

  • Cream of wheat, cream of rice, plain, strained (baby) oatmeal, grits or farina; thin cereals with skim or 1% milk, as needed
  • Strained/pureed low-fat cream soups without chunks of meat or vegetables; thin soups with skim or 1% milk, as needed
  • Broth-based soup; add in a beaten egg white or Eggbeaters to boiling broth for a healthy “egg drop” soup
  • Sugar-free and low-fat or fat-free regular or Greek yogurt, without fruit
  • Unsweetened applesauce and fat-free or low-fat whipped cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, pureed together

You should avoid the following:

  • Fruit nectars or juices with pulp
  • Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Propel, or any drink with more than 5 calories per 8-ounce serving
  • Soda and carbonated beverages
  • Milkshakes
  • 2% or whole milk, cream, half and half
  • Alcohol

In addition, you shouldn’t have more than 8 to 16 ounces of regular coffee or tea. And, you can’t drink 15 minutes before a meal or for 30 to 60 minutes after a meal.

Updated December 16, 2020

navigator access center

Questions about weight-loss surgery?

Attend one of our FREE Weight-Loss Surgery Information Sessions or email Virtua’s bariatric navigator at VirtuaBariatrics@virtua.org


888-VIRTUA-3 888-VIRTUA-3

You may also like

How to Bounce Back After a Holiday Food Binge - Virtua Article

How to Bounce Back from Holiday Overeating

If you ate too many cookies or drank too much wine over the holidays, all your healthy eating efforts aren't lost. Feel better and get back on a healthy track with these tips.

Read More
Female Virtua Health Patient - Bariatric Success Story

Carleatha Lost 95 lbs. After Bariatric Surgery and Gained a Life Free of Knee Pain

Carleatha lost 95 lbs. with bariatric surgery, and her knee pain is gone. She is now embracing a healthier life without the need for a cane or wheelchair. Learn more about her journey.

Watch Video
Learn How to Snack Your Way to Weight Loss - Virtua Article

Learn How to Snack Your Way to Weight Loss

You don't have to give up snacks just because you're eating healthy. Here are some smart snack choices – and a recipe for healthy potato chips to make at home.

Read More
Showing 3 of 114