Soft and Pureed Food After Bariatric Surgery

Steph Wagner MS, RDN

August 8, 2022

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Soft and Pureed Food After Bariatric Surgery:

Bariatric soft diet menu ideas 

 

28 Bariatric Soft and Pureed Foods and Recipes when healing from Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass or other weight loss surgery procedures

A few notes on the healing diet after bariatric surgery

 

Goodbye Liquid Diet!

It is such an exciting moment to advance your diet from liquid protein shakes all day to have some actual texture!

(But if you are still on the full liquid phase and daydreaming of what’s tome come….here is a list of 26 Liquid Phase Recipes.)

When the bariatric liquid diet is finally over, it can be hard to know where to start. Let me help guide the way as you transition to puree and soft textured protein foods.

Start with one puree or soft food at a time

Start with one thing at a time. Some of these recipes will mix a few ingredients. The better way to ease into this mushy phase of the diet is to start with a single food and see how you tolerate it (similar to babies) before adding in more.

If you have any discomfort, this will allow you to identify what food caused the trouble.

However,

In my experience, if someone is not tolerating their pureed or soft food well it may be related to the size of bite, the speed of eating or a little too much.

Anytime you go from one phase of the bariatric diet to the next, take it very slowly. Increasing texture means hitting fullness much faster!

If you are afraid of vomiting after bariatric surgery

Who wants to vomit anyway?

There are two main reasons why a new post-op patient may vomit after a meal. One, they ate too large of a bite, too quickly, or too much.

In some instances, a patient may have what we call “foamies” or “frothing.” This is when mucous collects around the healing stomach and causes food to come up with foam or mucous around it. (I know, so lovely.)

If you ever have foamies or frothing, drink a warm beverage before eating like hot broth or herbal tea. This will help break up collected mucous. You may also consider allergy medication, and consult with your doctor.

Compare these recipes with your Puree and Soft Phase 2 or 3 program guidelines

Be sure and compare your program guidelines against any of the puree food or recipes below. All bariatric programs differ based on what they feel is best for your healing. Your stomach is in a healing state for about eight weeks after surgery. Take it slow and steady and learn from every bite and meal.

STALLS HAPPEN!

It is very normal and very common for weight loss to stall out when you advance your diet from liquids to the next phase of pureed food or soft food.

Check your scale once a week to see how it’s going but avoid weighing more often. I know it is difficult but this is a confusing time for your body and the scale has made many a patient anxious in the early months after surgery.

Pay attention to how your clothes fit and how you feel. They are much more reliable indicators than the scale! Here is a video about weight loss stalls after bariatric surgery. 

Stay hydrated!!

By the way, HYDRATION is still the most important thing. Yes, even more than protein. Since you cannot drink with meals and for 45-60 minutes after your meal adding food in means taking time away from drinking water. If you are way behind on water, do not hesitate to contact your program.

Here is a blog post about the power of hydration in the bariatric lifestyle. This is part of my 10 Day Habit series that focuses on the habits of most successful patients!

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14 thoughts on “Soft and Pureed Food After Bariatric Surgery”

  1. I had gastric bypass 7 years ago and I have gained approx 50lbs back from my lowest weight. I would really like to lose at least 30lbs and figure out how to tighten the saggy skin on my stomach

  2. @Betty you are in the right place! This site is focused on patients needing tools and encouragement for the years after WLS. For you I would recommend my Back on Track course for members. This is a great place to get started and membership also allows you and I to get connected as well as our closed Facebook group to connect with others who are losing regain! Here is the link to find out more about membership https://www.bariatricfoodcoach.com/product/premier-access/

  3. Thank you so much for these FABULOUS recipes!! I’m 2 weeks post-op and looking forward to trying some of these tasty ideas!! ❤

    SW-310
    CW-285
    GW-180

  4. Hello,
    I live in Salem Oregon and am so excited to try your recipes !! I am 4 weeks post RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. My highest weight was 368.
    SW 299
    CW 275
    GW 180

    Thank you for all you are doing to help me be successful!!!
    ~ Joni

  5. I’m post op 3 weeks and have been starving for flavors. The sweet drinks are getting to me!! I was moved to the puree phase this week. Having found your recipes I have hope for my taste buds to survive. Thank you!!!
    HW 317
    SW 306
    CW 273
    GW 165

  6. @Marilyn B congratulations on your surgery and thank you for your comment! I am so glad to hear these recipes are helping you get through a really hard time on the recovery journey! It definitely gets better soon. Feel free to reach out if you need any other suggestions!

  7. I am 2 weeks post op and been struggling through the liquid phase. I am preparing to transition to puréed foods this week and truly had no idea where to start. Thank you for all the amazing recipe ideas. Everything sounds super tasty!!
    HW – 340
    SW – 285
    CW – 280
    GW – 150

  8. @Antonia C Congratulations on your surgery and your incredible pre-op weight loss! All that hard work before surgery will only help you get even more out of your surgical tool! Very exciting!!!!! Yes, these healing diets aren’t for the faint of heart. I’m glad the liquids diet is behind you and you can start moving into tiny bites of food proteins! 

  9. Im very excited to start my purée diet next Tuesday. I’m currently 1 1/2 weeks post-op VSG. I love to have variety and flavor. And I LOVE to cook! I think that part definitely helps to keep me on track. Thank you for the recipes!
    HW-260
    SW-207
    CW-196
    GW-120

  10. Congratulations on your surgery! Wishing you all the best in your healing and as you progress to new foods and flavors!

  11. Om post op week 3 i was on cleas for 1 week an then changes to a blended diet. I have problem to eat on this diet everything hurts going down. Im going to switch to clears again. Then i will try this hopefully it will help.

  12. Thanks for some of the ideas! ive been on puree/soft foods for about 2 weeks now( am almost 4 weeks PO RNY Bypass) and have been struggling getting something that wont make me sick. im mighty afraid i may have to go back to liquids for a bit longer.

    SW-401
    HW- 483
    CW- 365
    GW- 200-225

  13. I hope you’re feeling better Jennifer! Bite sizes and speed make a HUGE difference in feeling well as you transition foods. Congrats on your weight loss! I know you’re still going but that is AMAZING!

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