full liquid foods - phase two
I remember well the transition from clear liquids to full liquids. I was really afraid to eat food again, even if it was mostly soup, milk, yogurt and applesauce. I recall my tummy demanding something besides broth and I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied when I was able to have soup for the first time.
When?
Once you can handle clear liquids without complications you will begin the second or full liquid phase. This is usually the phase you will start when you return home from the hospital.
The most important thing is to take it slow and easy. Your new pouch will fill quickly but empty slowly.
This phase could start as early as two days to two weeks after surgery. Be sure that you follow the advise of your surgeon, who is the one who will decide when you should transition from the clear liquid phase to having full liquids. This phase of full liquids is defined as thin pureed food and including the clear liquids on phase one.
Emotions that follow
It may be about this time that you begin to experience the “What have I done?” or “What was I thinking?” barrage as you begin to realize that life as you have known it, will be a bit different from this point forward. Be assured this is normal and part of the “grieving” and healing process and once you have accepted the change in your life, these feeling will be replaced with jubilation and victory as you embrace the new you.
Let’s review what’s new in this phase two or full liquid phase. To obtain energy and adequate protein select 2 servings for a total of ½ cup per meal. Make soups with lactose free milk to increase protein content.
Food choices
- ¼ cup all lactose free milk; low carb, skim, 1% acidophilus, or soy,
- Sugar free or no sugar added yogurt (carb grams should be less than 15 per cup) and 100-120 calories per container
- Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast drink
- Low carb or low fat smoothie like Dannon Light n Fit carb control smoothie
- ¼ cup Healthy Request or low fat cream soups including: split pea, chicken, celery, mushroom, tomato, sweet potato, squash, white potato, cream of black bean, cheese or lentil.
- 2 no sugar added fudgesicles
- ¼ cup tomato or V-8 juice
- all juices and drinks listed on clear liquid phase, diluted 50/50 with water
- ¼ cup creamed potatoes
- ¼ cup sugar free ice cream, pudding or custard
- applesauce
- infant strained fruits
- non-sugar sweeteners
- Protein drinks and powders list under protein
Portion: each meal is about ½ cup
It's imperative that you measure everything!
Rou en Y gastric bypass patients will need to avoid sugar. Sugar grams should be 10 grams or less per serving (to avoid dumping).
Lap-band patients, although you will be able to tolerate more sugar, it provides excess calories with no additional volume, or nutritional needs and does not aid in weight loss.
Length on full-liquid phase 2-3 weeks for gastric bypass patients and sometimes longer for lap-band.
Protein
To get proper nutrition you will need to consume high protein drinks either as one meal such as breakfast and between meals. Total protein from drinks should equal 50-60 grams. It’s important to find as many protein supplements that you like before surgery so that you will have plenty of choices and options after surgery. Choose high quality proteins that offer high protein, low fats, carbs, and sugars.
Be sure to try to get in as much of the 64 ounces of your liquids as possible, this amount also includes your protein fluids. It may be difficult to get it all in at the beginning, but just keep trying, you will increase as time goes on. Continually sip, 30 minutes after each meal and up until 30 minutes before a meal.
Sample Meals and Snacks
Breakfast : 1/2 cup no sugar added yogurt
Snack: (drink over 2 hour period) 8 oz protein drink (1 cup)
Lunch: 1/2 cup no sugar added pudding
Snack: (drink over 2 hour period) 8 oz protein drink (1 cup)
Dinner: 1/2 cup lowfat cream of chicken soup
Snack- bedtime (drink over a period of 3 - 4 hours) 16 oz protein drink (2 cups)
Reader Comments (1)
Hi Julia - I just wanted to say that being 4 days post-op now (yay), with as many notes as I have and reading I've done, I continue to return to your page as I clarify what I can eat in what phase - thank you for having this post here - it's a God-send! I moved into full liquids today and I've never been so excited to have chocolate protein powder ;) !!