Bariatric Surgery

Ensure nutrient goals are met and help manage existing conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol

Recommended For

Bariatric surgery, Gastric bands, Gastric bypass, Gastric sleeve, Lapband surgery, Obesity surgery, Sleeve gastrectomy, Stomach stapling, Weight loss surgery.

Diet Goals

Adequate nutrition; maintain weight loss

  • Eat protein foods first at each meal
  • Avoid foods high in sugar and fat; can cause dumping
  • Avoid very hot or cold foods; eat slowly, chew well
Meeting nutrition goals is even more important after bariatric surgery because it alters digestion and absorption.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Lean proteins: Poultry, white fish, low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, tofu, beans
Low sugar: Berries, greek yogurt, DIY fruit smoothie
Low fat: Lean meat, low fat dairy, fish, beans, eggs
Fruit, Berries: Raspberry, blueberry, strawberry
Cooked veggies: Soft without skin; fibrous hard to digest
64 oz water/day: Drink fluids between meals, sip slowly

Foods to Avoid

Carbonated drinks: Gas can cause expansion of stomach
Fatty foods: Chocolate, fast foods, chips, pastry, pies
Fibrous veggies: Asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, corn, celery
Starchy foods: Without fluids during meal, can form paste
Tough meats: Chew food well, small bites, mince soft meats
High sugar: Fruit yogurt, granola, energy bars; raisins, ketchup, pasta sauce

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

A large study showed weight loss surgery lowers a person’s risk of death from any cause by over 40%.
Weight loss from bariatric surgery can improve asthma, GERD, high BP, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and T2 diabetes.
Success of weight loss surgery often defined as 50% weight loss maintained for 5 years.

Caveats

Chew food thoroughly; opening from stomach into small intestines can be narrow, may be blocked by larger pieces of food.
Heart healthy diet is a lifelong priority even after surgery and weight loss.
Supplements required for life; ability to absorb nutrients from food decreased.
2 L of water/fluids between meals.

References

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery. (2020). American Society for Metabolic. https://asmbs.org/patients/benefits-of-weight-loss-surgery
Arnett, D., Blumenthal, R., Albert, M., Buroker, A., Goldberger, Z., Hahn, E., Himmelfarb, C., Khera, A., Lloyd-Jones, D., McEvoy, J., Michos, E., Miedema, M., Muñoz, D., Smith Jr, S., Virani, S., Williams Sr, K., Yeboah, J., & Ziaeian, B. (2019). ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. The American college of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Arterburn MD, D., Wellman MS, R., Emialano, A., & others. (2018). Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Bariatric Procedures for Weight Loss. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(11), 741–750. https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2711394/comparative-effectiveness-safety-bariatric-procedures-weight-loss-pcornet-cohort-study
Bagley, D. (2018). Unforeseen Consequences: Bariatric Surgery Side Effects. Endocrine News. https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/unforeseen-consequences-bariatric-surgery-side-effects/
Pre and Post Op Bariatric Surgery Diet Plan. (2018). Baptist Health/Flourish. https://share.baptisthealth.com/guidelines-bariatric-pre-and-post-op-diet/
Bonner, K. (2018). GASTRIC BYPASS DIET: PRE AND POST OP BARIATRIC WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY MEAL PLANS. Baptist Health. https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/weight-management/gastric-bypass-diet-pre-and-post-op-bariatric-weight-loss-surgery-meal-plans
Dagan, S., Goldenshluger, A., Globus, I., Schweiger, C., Kessler, Y., Sandbank, G., Ben-Porat, T., & Sinai, T. (2017). Nutritional Recommendations for Adult Bariatric Surgery Patients: Clinical Practice. NIH, National Library of Medicine, Advances in Nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347111/
De Luca, M., Angrisani, L., Himpens, J., Busetto, L., Scopinaro, N., Weiner, R., Sartori, A., Stier, C., Lakdawala, M., Bhasker, A., Buchwald, H., Dixon, J., Chiappetta, S., Kolberg, H.-C., Frühbeck, G., Sarwer, D., Suter, M., Soricelli, E., Blüher, M., … Shikora, S. (2016). Indications for Surgery for Obesity and Weight-Related Diseases: Position Statements from the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). NIH, National Library of Medicine; Obesity Surgery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6037181/
Garey, T. (n.d.). 8 Foods to Avoid: Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet. GuideDoc.com. https://guidedoc.com/8-foods-to-avoid-post-bariatric-surgery-diet
Hsu, S.-Y., Lee, W.-J., Chong, K., Ser, K.-H., & Tsou, J.-J. (2015). Laparoscopic bariatric surgery for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia. Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S101595841400061X
Nutrition Guidelines for Weight Loss Surgery . (2021). Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/bariatrics/_documents/nutrition-guidelines-for-weight-loss-surgery.pdf
Kostecka, M., & Bojanowska, M. (2017). Problems in bariatric patient care – challenges for dieticians. NIH, National Library of Medicine, Videosurgery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5649507/
Kreider, R. (2010). GUIDELINES FOR THE NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF BARIATRIC SURGERY PATIENTS: PRE- AND POST-OPERATIVELY. University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Master’s thesis. http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/8634/1/KreiderRachelLJuly302010.pdf
Gastric bypass diet: What to eat after the surgery Print. (2020). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/in-depth/gastric-bypass-diet/art-20048472
Mechanick, J., Apovian, C., Brethauer, S., & Garvey, W. (2020). Position Paper, Interventions for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. The Academy of Nutrition.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Gastric bypass surgery. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm
MichiganMedicine. (2018). Possible Nutritional Side Effects Following Bariatric Surgery. Michigan Medicine Adult Bariatric Surgery Program; Patient Education. http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/Surgery/Bariatric%20Surgery/NutritionalConsiderationFollowingBariatricSurgery.pdf
Parrott, J., & others. (2017). American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Integrated Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient 2016 Update: Micronutrients. Surgery for Obesity. https://asmbs.org/app/uploads/2017/06/ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf?/app/uploads/2008/09/asmbs-nutritional-guidelines-2016-update.pdf
Pullman, J. (2014). Guide to Carbohydrates After Weight Loss Surgery. Bariatric Bits. https://bariatricbits.com/truth-about-carbohydrates/
Nitrogen balance—An overview. (n.d.). Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/nitrogen-balance
Shelby, S., Labott, S., & Stout, R. (2015). Bariatric surgery: a viable treatment option for patients with severe mental illness. Surgery for Obesity. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26363716/
Smith MD, J. (2018). How effective is bariatric surgery? University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. https://uihc.org/health-topics/how-effective-bariatric-surgery
Garey, T. (2013). 8 Foods to Avoid: Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet. GuideDoc. https://guidedoc.com/8-foods-to-avoid-post-bariatric-surgery-diet
Bariatric Surgery Services/Bariatric Surgery Resources. (n.d.). University of Alabama Medicine. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.uabmedicine.org/specialties/bariatric-surgery/
Dietary Guidelines After Bariatric Surgery. (n.d.). University of California San Francisco Health. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary-guidelines-after-bariatric-surgery
Post Bariatric Surgery Diet. (n.d.). University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.upmc.com/services/bariatrics/surgery-process/post-surgery
Zendel, A., Abu-Ghanem, Y., Dux, J., Mor, E., Zippel, D., & Goitein, D. (2017). The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Thyroid Function and Medication Use in Patients with Hypothyroidism. SpringerLink/PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28255851/