Phases at a Glance

Quick reference—tap a card's anchor below to jump to full details.

Phase 1 — Clear Liquids

Days 0–2 Phase 1
Phase 2 — Full Liquids

Days 3–14 Phase 2
Phase 3 — Pureed

Days 15–21 Phase 3
Phase 4 — Soft Solids

Days 22–28 Phase 4
Phase 5 — Regular

Day 29+ Phase 5

Daily Lifestyle Tips

Simple actions that compound into success.

  • ✔ Track daily protein, fiber, and calories.
  • ✔ Stay hydrated.
  • ✔ Measure portions (especially slider foods).
  • ✔ Move at least 3×/day.
  • ✔ Take your supplements.
Pre‑surgery practice

Pre‑Surgery Practice & Checklist

  • ✔ Plan a schedule for meals, fluids, vitamins, and minerals.
  • ✔ Start brisk walks and light resistance bands.
  • ✔ Limit alcohol; none on liver‑shrink diet.
  • ✔ Choose low‑fat foods; avoid fried foods and sugary snacks.
  • ✔ Drink ≥64 oz/day of low or no‑cal beverages; stop sugary drinks.
  • ✔ Eat 3 meals/day; don’t skip breakfast; add whole fruits/veg.
  • ✔ Find a protein supplement that meets the program criteria.
  • ✔ Chew 20–40× per bite to paste; sip liquids between—not with—meals; practice no straw.
  • ✔ Purchase chewable vitamin/mineral supplements.
  • ✔ Prefer natural sweeteners (stevia/monk fruit); reduce fast food; downsize to <6 in plates.
  • ✔ Wean off caffeine/carbonation for first 30 days post‑op.
  • ✔ Keep this handout handy; keep tracking with an app.

Dietary Information & Phases

Advance one step at a time. Portions start tiny and grow slowly as healing progresses.

Phase 1 — clear liquids

Days 0–2 Phase 1 — Clear Liquids

Hydration first. 1–2 oz per meal (shot‑glass size). Use a protein supplement to reach ~30 g/day.

Examples

  • ✔ Broth
  • ✔ Powerade Zero
  • ✔ Sugar‑free gelatin & popsicles
  • ✔ Herbal, caffeine‑free tea
  • ✔ Boost Breeze Clear / Premier Protein Clear / Isopure Clear

One protein drink can cover 4–8 mini‑meals; refrigerate and discard leftovers.

Phase 2 — full liquids

Days 3–14 Phase 2 — Full Liquids

Still 1–2 oz/meal; target ≥30 g protein/day from shakes. Liquids = consistency of milk.

  • ✔ Skim/Lactaid/soy/almond milk
  • ✔ Strained smooth cream soups (no pieces)
  • ✔ No‑added‑sugar instant breakfast (with non‑fat milk)
  • ✔ Pourable light yogurt (no fruit pieces)
  • ✔ Thinned sugar‑free, fat‑free pudding/custard
  • ✔ Thinned cream of wheat/rice (+ protein powder)
  • ✔ Thinned smoothies/milkshakes (no chunks)

Avoid citrus/tomato 3 weeks; avoid (de)caf coffee 6 weeks.

Phase 3 — pureed

Days 15–21 Phase 3 — Pureed

2–4 Tbsp/meal. Applesauce/baby‑food texture. Dry meals—no liquids with meals.

  • ✔ Protein first; then produce.
  • ✔ Start small; if not tolerated, step back to liquids and retry.
  • ✔ If you can chew it, don’t do it—puree it; strain seeds/skins/lumps.
  • ✔ Add liquid to blend (milk/broth/yogurt/etc.).
Phase 4 — soft solids

Days 22–28 Phase 4 — Soft Solids

2–4 Tbsp/meal; introduce 1 new food per meal; space meals 4–5 hours.

  • ✔ Moist baked fish or rotisserie chicken
  • ✔ Scrambled/poached eggs
  • ✔ Soft cheeses (feta, ricotta, cottage, cream)
  • ✔ Canned peaches/pears (in water/juice)
  • ✔ Banana, shaved deli meats, imitation crab/baby shrimp
  • ✔ Well‑cooked veg (no skins/seeds; avoid corn/peas)
Phase 5 — regular diet

Day 29+ Phase 5 — Regular Diet

Go slow; small bites; test tolerance. Rice/pasta/doughy bread may need 2–3 more months.

  1. 1) Try one small bite; chew well; pause and assess.
  2. 2) If too full/nauseated/vomiting: stop → clear liquids → pureed next meal → retry solids later.

Common Problem Foods (first 2–3 months)

  • ✔ Chips & hard taco shells
  • ✔ Nuts/seeds unless chewed to paste
  • ✔ Breads/rolls/biscuits (toast may be easier)
  • ✔ Pasta and rice
  • ✔ Citrus membranes; dried fruit; popcorn; coconut
  • ✔ Fried/greasy foods
  • ✔ Early post‑op: red meats incl. hamburger/hot dogs (1 month); steaks/roasts/pork/wild game often poorly tolerated

Important Eating Patterns & Habits

  • ✔ 3 meals/day; avoid grazing.
  • ✔ Measure meals ≤ 1/2 cup long‑term (first month 2–4 Tbsp).
  • ✔ Protein first.
  • ✔ No liquids 30 min before → during → 30 min after meals.
  • ✔ Daily vitamins/minerals for life.
  • ✔ Meals last 20–30 min; chew to paste; use small utensils; mindful eating.
  • ✔ 64+ oz/day zero‑cal, non‑carbonated, caffeine‑free fluids between meals.
  • ✔ Sliders (yogurt, soups, oatmeal, cottage cheese, puddings) = measure 1/2 cup max.

Protein Guide

Target 60–80 g/day from shakes + food

Choosing a supplement

  • ✔ Whey or plant‑based; pea if whey intolerant.
  • ✔ Powder or ready‑to‑drink.
  • ✔ ≥20–30 g protein/serving; total carbs < 1/2 the grams of protein.

Protein in common foods

Egg (1 whole) 8 g
Milk, skim (8 oz) 8 g
Cottage cheese 1/4 cup 7 g
Chicken/Beef/Turkey 1 oz ~7 g
Tuna/Salmon 1 oz 7 g
Edamame 1/4 cup 7 g
Tofu 1/4 cup 5 g

Make shakes interesting

  • ✔ Add extracts/spices (vanilla, almond, cinnamon).
  • ✔ Use cocoa powder; add water/milk if too sweet/thick.
  • ✔ Blend with ice for a slushy; freeze into pops.
  • ✔ Mix into yogurt/Greek yogurt or sugar‑free gelatin.

Daily Vitamins & Minerals

  • ✔ Chewable/liquid/crushed for 6 weeks (per provider).
  • ✔ Calcium citrate 1500–2000 mg/day in 3 × 500–600 mg doses with Vit D.
  • ✔ Bariatric multivitamin (150–200% RDA); consider without iron if constipated.
  • ✔ Vitamin D3 2000 IU/day (separate if not in calcium).
  • ✔ Vitamin B12 350–500 mcg PO daily or 1000 mcg IM/SQ/day.
  • ✔ Iron: 18 mg/day males; 45–60 mg/day menstruating women.

Fluids

  • ✔ No liquids 30 min before meals, none with meals, none for 30 min after.
  • ✔ Sip steadily between meals; avoid gulping/straws 4–6 weeks.
  • ✔ Goal ≥64 oz/day (≥½ plain water).
  • ✔ Zero‑cal flavored beverages okay; avoid sugared drinks.
  • ✔ Avoid caffeine first 30 days; carbonation 4–12 weeks; alcohol 3–6 months.

Caffeine Guidance

  • ✔ After 30 days, keep total ≤300–400 mg/day; ≤100 mg at once.
  • ✔ Not after 5 PM or within 3 hrs of bedtime.
  • ✔ Protein needs first—protein + coffee shakes after 30 days.

Sugar & Fat

  • ✔ Avoid high‑sugar foods and calorie‑dense soft foods/liquids (ice cream, shakes, candy, sweet drinks).
  • ✔ Limit fried foods and added fats; choose healthy fats in moderation (olive/canola/avocado/nut butters/olives).

Possible Complications & What Helps

Nausea / Vomiting
  • Often from large bites, fast eating, poor chewing, too much volume, or liquids with meals.
  • Eat slowly; stop at first fullness; avoid lying down after meals.
  • Call your doctor if frequent or persistent.
Hair Loss (Telogen Effluvium)
  • Ensure 60–80 g protein/day; consider zinc ≤50 mg/day if needed.
  • Evaluate iron deficiency if persistent; regrowth often follows after several months.
Constipation
  • Prevent with ≥64 oz fluid, frequent walking, gradual fiber when on regular foods (chew well).
  • Consider baby food prunes/unsweetened prune juice/oatmeal; inulin‑based soluble fiber if needed.
  • If persistent, call our office before using laxatives.

Questions? We’re here for you

Nurse line: 208‑782‑3993

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