Lap Band Food Stages Suggestions List

[tattooedsuess]

Here are the lists that my nutritionist gave to me for the different stages of eating after having surgery. The moderator/admin may want to make this thread a sticky for those who don't get defined lists.


*STAGE 1 - LIQUIDS

START: When you return home from your surgery

DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.

DIET: Clear and full liquids

GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of fluid for the day by continuous sipping.

LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:

Water
100% Fruit Juice (No sugar added)
Bouillon
Strained soups or broths
Skim or 1% milk
Soy milk
Milk Shakes - thinned
Gatorade or equivalent sports drink
Yogurt Smoothie Drinks - not including homemade
Crystal Light
Sugar free beverages
Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee
Popsicles (Pedialyte)

LIQUIDS TO AVOID:

Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple)
Acidic liquids (tomato juice, tomato soup, buttermilk)
Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea)
Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water)
Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies
Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test*


*STAGE 2 - MUSHIES

START: 2 weeks post surgery

DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage

DIET: Soft food

GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOODS RECOMMENDED:

Milk (skim or 1% only)
Cottage cheese
Eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled)
Blended cream soups
Yogurt
Low Fat Cheese - unmelted
Peanut Butter
Tofu (silken only)
Pudding
Applesauce or other fruit sauces
Canned fruits
Mashed potatoes
Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk)


*STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS

START: 4 weeks post surgery

DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage

DIET: Semi-solid food

GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOOD RECOMMENDED:

Deli cuts of meat
Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken
Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey
Beans
Tofu
Baked fish or crab meat
Pasta, rice, and corn
Fresh fruit - eliminate skins
Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks
Low Fat melted cheese

FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES:

Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies
Regular Jello
Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high fiber foods


*STAGE 4 - SOLIDS

RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES:

PROTEIN GROUP:

1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish

1/4 cup yogurt

1/4 cup pudding

1/4 cup cottage cheese

1 egg, 2 egg whites

1/4 cup egg substitute

1 tbsp. peanut butter

1 ounce tofu

1 ounce cheese

1/4 cup canned flake meat

1 slice deli meat

2 tbsp. grated cheese

1/4 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup beans

1/4 cup hommus

GRAIN GROUP:

1/2 slice toast

1/4 bagel or english muffin

1/2 cup cereal (cooked or dry)

1/2 cup broth-type soup

1 oblong graham cracker

1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato

1/2 small baked potato

1/4 cup corn

4 crackers

FRUIT GROUP:

1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices)

1/4 cup grapes

1/2 piece fresh fruit

1 tsp. jelly or jam

1/4 cup dry fruit

VEGETABLE GROUP:

1/2 cup cooked vegetables

1 cup raw vegetables

1/2 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa

OTHERS GROUP:

1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine

1 tsp. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. Miracle Whip

1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese

1 tbsp. salad dressing

2 tbsp. guacamole

4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans

1 ounce cheese

2 tsp. peanut butter

1 tbsp. tahini

1/4 cup Cool-Whip

1 tsp. sugar, honey, or syrup

COMBINATION FOODS:

1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal

1/2 cup per snack

CORE PLAN:

BREAKFAST:

1-2 proteins

1 fruit

2 grains

1 other

LUNCH:

2-3 proteins

1 vegetable

2 grains

1 other

SNACK:

1 fruit

1 protein

DINNER:

2-3 proteins

1-2 vegetables

2 grains

1 other

SNACK:

1 vegetable

1 grain


I hope that this helps those who are researching getting the band, with knowing what your eating habbits will be like after surgery. I also hope that this will help those who are never given a clear eating plan after surgery too.

Please know that this is just the plan that was given to me, and I do not expect all bandsters to follow this plan. It is simply a guidline for those who need one/are not given one.

Please remember to follow exactly what your surgeon/nutritionist says, even if it is different than this list.

[reblynd]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have not seen the dietician yet, and I am 11 days out. I was told I could have smoothies...were you told not to have them? Again...thanks a ton for all the info it was sooooo helpful!!

[tattooedsuess]

reblynd -

The way the dietician explained it to me was that the store bought yogurt style smoothies were ok because they were thinner. She said that homemade ones tended to be thicker, and that that could cause problems.

I know that's only 1 person's perspective though, so maybe your dietician can give you some guidance as well? I just went ahead and followed what she said to be on the safe side.

The Nouriche smoothies gagged me and I hated the flavor (funny that I still remember that after 2 years - LOL), but the other brands seemed to agree well with me.

I hope this helps you out.

["Just Jess"]

Thanks so much for this post!!! I have not seen anything yet from my doc as comprehensive as this list! I am printing it out! Thanks for the help!


Jess

[tattooedsuess]

You are most welcome Jess! I know that before I was banded I really craved information. Even just to get an "idea" of what I would be eating like post band was good for me.

I know that all doctors and dieticians are different, but if this can even help one person get an idea of how things might look afterwards, then I'm happy to oblige.

Godspeed!

["Just Jess"]

It is so strange to me that "that" information is so hard to find. In all the paper work I've received from the nutritionist, nurse pratictioner, surgeon, etc.. etc.. I have yet to find any information similar to that of what I've seen on this website and in the books I've purchased such as "weight loss surgery for dummies" etc. Why is that??? Shouldn't that be in the forefront of the info. they hand out - it is OF COURSE what we're all wondering!!!

Anyway, I look forward to finding all the answers to my thousands of questions before 24 days passes (DEC. 21st - My surgery!!)

:)

[damirra]

I been on the band since July 4 2006, and I can't still figure it out. I thought I was doing OK until last week when I started having disconfort on my esophagus and my back. The dr. say I over ate, so I am still looking for ways to eat. He told me to skip bread, rice or anything that may be hard on the esophagus until It gets better.
I am also new to this group.

[tattooedsuess]

I'm bumping this for newbies and visitors.

[vahoneybee]

Wow! I was banded 1/4/07 and my MD told me pureed diet for 4 weeks post op. I've been doing broth; juices, applesauce, yogurt, pudding, protein shakes, etc. and have been doing ok. I go back to see the nutritionist 1/31, and at that time I expect to hit the "mushie" stage.

[Kathy]

Can we Sticky this please? It's super helpful. :)

[tattooedsuess]

Bumping this up for the newbies.

[tattooedsuess]

Bump for newbies