There are plenty of changes to a person’s lifestyle that come as a result of bariatric surgery. Not only will gastric sleeve help you lose a lot of weight quickly and safely, it will also help inspire you to eat better and exercise.
Our network of bariatric surgeons have helped so many patients at our Tijuana weight loss surgery center. Helping means more than just performing surgery, however. It also means providing advice for after surgery. With this in mind, let’s consider a general grocery shopping list for the gastric sleeve process.
What to Eat in the Weeks Before Bariatric Surgery
Before gastric sleeve, it’s a good idea to eat healthy and prepare yourself for procedure ahead. Consider eating the following before surgery to be as healthy and prepared for the procedure as possible:
- Protein shakes
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Nuts
- Berries
- Lean meats
Foods and Beverages to Consider in the First Week After Surgery
In that first week of recovery from gastric sleeve surgery, patients will be on a liquid diet. The liquids should ideally be clear, sugar-free, and low in sodium. If you have any questions about a particular liquid you’d like to ingest, be sure to discuss these matters with your bariatric surgeon.
Common items for your first-week shopping list include:
- Water
- Broths
- Jell-O
- Sugar-free non-carbonated beverages
- Sugar-free popsicles
Foods and Beverages to Consider in the Second Week After Surgery
By week two, patients will often begin to add some proteins to their liquids. Proceed conservatively and cautiously based on your surgeon’s instructions, and don’t push yourself with eating.
In addition to the items above, you can add the following to your gastric sleeve grocery list around week two:
- Protein powder
- Soup with soft noodles
- Thin creamy soups
- Non-fat yogurt
- Sugar-free pudding
- Sugar-free sorbet
Patients may be able to add watery oatmeal and thin applesauce as well, though be slow about incorporating any soft solids into your diet.
Foods and Beverages to Consider in the Third Week After Surgery
By the third week, very soft solids can be more easily incorporated into and accommodated by your diet. Be sure to chew thoroughly and really savor your food.
In addition to the items above, consider the following for week three:
- Eggs
- Non-dairy milks (almond milk, coconut milk)
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Hummus
- Soft fruits (mashed bananas, mashed avocados)
- Soft vegetables (steamed or boiled until soft)
- Soft fish (steamed) and canned tuna
- Ground chicken or ground beef
Foods and Beverages to Consider by the End of the First Month
By the end of one month, many patients will be able to go back to a solid food diet, but it’s important to take this at your own pace, chew thoroughly, and really listen to your body and its needs. The liquids and soft foods above are all still great to consider as staples of your healthier diet and lifestyle.
Some solid foods to add to your grocery list by the end of the month include:
- Sweet potatoes
- Cereals
- Fruits and vegetables
- Chicken, fish, lean beef
Feel free to check back with our team, check online, or check with people in your support network for helpful recipes and diet tips for the foods you’ll be enjoying in the future.
Schedule a Consultation at Tijuana Bariatrics
To learn more about gastric sleeve and your many other options when it comes to bariatric surgery, be sure to contact our weight loss surgery center today.
