Understanding Your New Eating Plan
After a gastric sleeve, your eating habits will change completely. A structured, gradual diet is essential to reduce the risk of postoperative complications and to help you build lifelong, healthy habits. Your nutrition plan is divided into four stages, each designed to protect the stomach and support recovery.
Stage 1: Clear Liquids (Days 1–3)
This first stage takes place during your hospital stay. After routine tests, you’ll begin with 2–3 glasses of fluids per day, which is enough because you will also receive intravenous hydration. Start with small sips of clear liquids such as apple juice. The goal is to stay hydrated without putting pressure on the stomach.
Stage 2: Full Liquids (Days 3–10)
During this stage, liquids should still resemble thin, clear beverages, without grains, spices, sugar, or salt. You can now include protein powders, lactose-free milk, buttermilk, and meat or chicken broth. This stage lasts about a week. Protein supplementation is crucial, as it supports tissue regeneration and prevents muscle loss during early weight loss.
Stage 3: Pureed Foods (Days 10–20)
From day 10, you can introduce eggs, cheese, vegetable or fruit purees, thick soups, and well-cooked minced meat. All foods must be in a smooth, blended form. From this point forward, remember to drink fluids 30 minutes before or after meals, not during them, to protect the stomach and improve digestion.
Stage 4: Soft & Solid Foods (Day 20 onward)
Solid food starts around day 20. The foods allowed are similar to the puree stage but should now be eaten in tiny, well-chewed pieces. For the first 3 months, avoid nuts, raw vegetables, and high-carbohydrate foods that are hard to digest or remain in the stomach for too long.
Hydration and Long-Term Habits
Try to increase your fluid intake between meals while keeping solid and liquid foods separate. If you find plain water difficult to drink, you can flavour it with fruit or add water to other beverages to increase your total intake.
Following this step-by-step plan is key to achieving safe, steady, and long-term weight loss after a gastric sleeve. Over time, you will develop healthy eating habits that help you maintain your results and support your new lifestyle.
