Life After Bariatric Surgery

The Post-Op Diet

Your special diet actually starts before surgery with 10 days of a high protein liquid diet.  After surgery, the diet progresses from liquids to regular food slowly over 6 weeks.

Phase 1 – Sugar free clear liquids enough to stay hydrated (includes water, broth, diet gelatin, decaf coffee or tea, sugar free clear beverages, etc.)

Phase 2 – High Protein liquids – includes milk and milk-based drinks, protein supplements, low sugar yogurt, creamed soup, low sugar pudding

Phase 3 – Blended – includes foods blended to a smooth consistency, plus protein supplements

Phase 4 – Soft - small portions of soft cooked foods

Phase 5 – Regular – small portions of high protein foods These diets are explained in great detail at the mandatory post op nutrition class.

Lap Band Adjustments

Gastric lap bands may require adjustment (fills with saline through the port) in order to be fully effective.  Post operatively, lap band patients are seen in the clinic monthly until adequate restriction is achieved.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation

Because intake of food is restricted, the post bariatric surgery patient may become vitamin or mineral deficient. All post op patients are prescribed nutritional supplements. Bypass and sleeve patients, because their surgeries also cause malabsorption of nutrients, receive multivitamins, iron, calcium with Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and a B complex. Lap band patients take a multivitamin and calcium with Vitamin D. Labs are tested periodically to assure good nutrient status.

Bariatric Surgery Support Groups

Research has shown that support group attendance is key to continued weight maintenance after bariatric surgery.

Fletcher Allen Health Care offers a monthly support group at the Blair Park Road Clinic in Williston on the first Tuesday of every month. The support group meets from 6PM-7PM.

All pre- and post-operative patients and their families are encouraged to attend. In addition, several "satellite" support groups comprised of former patients have started in the outlying areas. Contact us for further details.