Implementing everyday, normal foods back into your diet is the last phases for post-op bariatric surgery patients. Creating admireable eating habits in these phases will help make your surgery a success.Phase #3 And #4:
Soft Foods - Real Foods
Transitioning to 'Real' Foods
(Week 7 - 6 Months - Forever Post-op)

Pureeing food is no longer necessary. Take small bites and chew your food well. Remember to eat slowly, don't eat too much, and prepare foods moistly to prevent clumping.

Just because someone says you can eat chicken, doesn't mean you can actually do it. Many of us live in the soft food zone forever. I am not suggesting purees or baby food pablum, but just softer moister foods. Foods will always need to have a soft moist texture in order for us to comfortably eat them. Dry or dense will not work for us; not just for a few weeks or months but for always.

Welcome to the real world of bariatric surgery. Protein foods such as chicken or fish need to be cooked so they are not dried out and then need to be further moistened with salsa's, sauces, low fat gravies, salad dressings, low or no sugar sauces, or flavored mayonnaise so that they chew up into a moist mouthful.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7149/realfood.gifTuna, chicken, shrimp, and egg salads are very good first foods and make nice lunches for work. Paired with a few tender bites of tossed salad they are easy to eat and healthy too.

Eat moist protein first, followed by a couple of bites of the accompanying salad or vegetable.

6 Months post-op -- Once you are released to go on your merry way and eat 'real' or 'normal' foods proceed with caution. Slowly start to introduce starches such as bread, pasta, rice, corn, potatoes, crackers, cereal, etc... You may also add other forms of red meat. Cut meat into dime-sized pieces and chew well.

Remember the eating behaviors that you creat now will help you succeed in the future. Continue to avoid high calorie foods even in small amounts.

When you feel satisfied, and dont really want any more food, STOP. Do not eat past a point of satisfaction or fullness.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8950/realfood3.gifThe following are examples of allowable foods in these latter phases:

Soft, high protein foods

Cheese
Eggs
Cottage cheese
Fish
Chicken
Turkey
Ham
Tofu/soy
Beans
Yogurt
Introduce ground beef (but no other red meat because it is harder to digest)

Add fruits and vegetables

Raw is okay if tolerating soft first
Avoid tough peelings and seeds as they can cause diarrhea

All Phase 1 & 2 foods are allowed of course
Continue to avoid starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice, peas, corn, potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, etc...



Eating Rules for Week 7 - 6 Months Post-op

Serving size during this phase is 2-3 oz.

Choose 3 oz. of a protein source or 2 oz. of a protein source and 1 oz. of a fruit or vegetable.
Weigh meats and measure (using a measuring cup) all other foods.
Do not eat more than 1 oz. of fruits or vegetables per meal to ensure you are meeting protein needs.

Chew well; small dime-sized pieces
Meal time should not exceed 20 minutes to avoid overeating. Only eat to the point of fullness. If you are full before you eat 2-3 oz., do not continue to eat or finish the meal at another time. This will only create bad habits.
Fluid load: drink 4-8 oz. prior to a meal to help you with your fluid intake and to help prevent overeating. Continue to hold liquids 60 minutes after a meal.
64 oz of fluid per day
Continue to avoid caffeine carbonation, sugar & alcohol


Eating Tips

Avoid restaurant child-menus - they are often high in fat
Avoid appetizers and dipping sauses - they are often high in fat and sugar
Avoid greasy and fatty foods for weight loss as well as to prevent diarrhea
Avoid tough meats, dry meats and gristly meat to prevent clumping
Avoid sweets because they can hinder weight loss and still cause dumping syndrome.
Hold liquids with your meal and for 60 minutes after. This will prevent you from feeling hungry faster and will help prevent you from overeating at meals.
Continue to fluid load: drink 4-8 oz of fluid prior to eating
Continue to strive for 60-75 grams of protein per day.
When dining out, ask for food to be prepared without added fat. Restaurants will always offer a grilled lean protein source as well as fruits or vegetables.