The goal of gastric band surgery, gastric bypass surgery and weight loss surgery is to reduce the size of your stomach, so you feel full quickly, making you less likely to engage in excessive eating. However, the surgery alone is not enough and lifestyle and diet changes are also needed. Your medical practitioner will advise you upon the correct changes to your diet and lifestyle, which will be discussed before and after your surgery. Selecting the right foods to eat will be a key aspect of your weight loss and recovery program. To achieve optimal results from gastric band surgery an initial liquid diet followed by a soft food diet is recommended, before resuming to a combination diet of both soft and hard foods.

Liquid diet: dos and don’ts

A liquid only diet is prescribed for an approximate two week period after weight loss surgery and your doctor will advise you on the fluid intake relevant to your body mass. Fluids that are suitable for your new diet include semi-skimmed milk, low-calorie milkshakes and fruit juice, liquid-only soups, herbal tea and water. Feeling hungry during this time is normal, but always avoid the temptation to eat any solids. www.gastricbands.co.uk provides more details on tips and advice.

Here are some dos and don’ts about the liquid diet:

  • Supplement your liquid intake with multivitamins and calcium in liquid form.
  • Drink about 2.5 to 3.5 litres per day with 200 ml per portion.
  • Monitor the colour of your urine for hydration.
  • Avoid carbonated or fizzy drinks that increase gas and cause bloating that may result in the gastric band shifting out of place.
  • Avoid chewing gum that stimulates the digestion process.

Soft food diet dos and don’ts

After the two-week liquid diet period, a soft food diet is usually advised for a fortnight, before introducing a combination diet.

Dos and don’ts for the soft food diet include:

  • Eat foods with soft texture like cooked cauliflower, scrambled egg and cottage or fisherman’s pie.
  • Select mashed food, like potato, parsnips and butternut squash.
  • Choose soft fruits like bananas, mangoes, pears, and avocados.
  • Blend soft foods into smoothies or soups.
  • Reduce portions as recommended by your Dietician.
  • Avoid crunchy steamed vegetables and salads.
  • Drink fluids about an hour before meals and not with meals.

It is vital to record your progress and consult with your dietician about meal-planning. Do not eat hard foods like meats and bread until your practitioner agrees it is safe to do so.