The sleeve gastrectomy operation converts the stomach into a long tube with a capacity of around 120 ml (or whereabouts). Obviously, you cannot exceed the newly reduced capacity, and your meals are going to be small, though much bigger than after a gastric bypass.
To make matters better (and more interesting) you do not feel too hungry anyways, and there are usually no cravings for food that go unfulfilled. It is not as if the operation will leave you salivating for a huge meal, and you are cursed with a tiny portion of it all your life. You will be happy with what (and how much) you can eat.
For three to four weeks after surgery, you will consume liquids only.
Week One: Thin liquids only
Sample Full Liquid Meal Plan (1 week post-op)7:00 am — 4 ounces of milk
8:00 am — 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt
10:00 am — 1 ounce whey protein isolate drink (e.g. Isopure Zero Carb) with 4 ounces
of skim or 1% milk
11:00 am — cup of dal
1:00 pm — 2 Tablespoons low fat cottage cheese (plain)
3:00 pm — 4 ounces whey protein isolate drink
6:00 pm — tea
8:00 pm — 4 ounces whey protein isolate drink made with skim or 1% milk
9:00 pm — 4 ounces of vegetable/chicken soup
Week Two to Week Four: Pureed/blenderized diet
Use natural, whole foods (like vegetables, meats, fish, dal and milk) and blenderize them till you obtain the consistency of a thick sauce. Strain out the larger particles/seeds/skin and use the rest.
How to measure your portions: use a measuring spoon or shot glass or an ice tray (each cube in the tray measures 1 ounce.
1. No colas, sodas, or alcohol.2. No sugar, commercial ‘low-fat’ drink, honey, agave nectar, corn syrup or HFCS, chocolate syrup, ice cream, etc. Your protein shake (as in the pic) may be chocolate-flavored.3. Very limited ghee, butter, or olive oil.4. Avoid coffee, especially if you have heart problems or diabetes.5. Avoid restaurant food (they generally tend to be unhealthy).6. Avoid hard meats and nuts till well into your second month after surgery.7. If you feel like having something sweet (like milk or tea or a smoothie), add a sugar substitute, avoiding overuse.8. No processed foods like chips, cakes, cookies, breads, pizzas, burgers, whatever!9. Total fluid consumption in a day should be at least 1.5 to 2 litres (including water)10. Take time in having your meals- your stomach is not what it used to be!11. Have only less than 4 ounces of feeds at a time.12. Eat 60 to 100 grams of proteins daily.13. Use an online food journal like Fitday to calculate your protein intake or contact us.14. Drink water at a different time from your meal.15. Avoid fruit juices– they have a high glycemic index and could raise your blood glucose.(pic source: here)In regard to the above, weight training is as important, but that is another article!
