After surgery, you’ll have to make important changes in your diet in order to keep your weight off*. Most of the patients who regain their weight do so because they slip into old dietary patterns like grazing and eating large or sugary meals.

We typically recommend that patients eat 5 very small meals per day as part of life after bariatric surgery. Initially these should only be ¼ cup of food each, but they should be high in protein to avoid nutritional deficiencies. You should aim for 60-90 grams of protein per day post-bariatric surgery, depending on your surgery and your individual needs.

Additionally, because of the changes to your stomach, you’ll need to change how you eat. Here are some dietary guidelines to help you with life after bariatric surgery:

When you start eating solid food, eat very slowly. Chew each bite thoroughly, and wait two to three minutes between bites to give your stomach time to adjust.

Don’t drink fluids while eating. Drinking fluids—even water—with your meals can cause dumping syndrome and vomiting, and can leave you feeling hungry sooner after a meal.

Don’t eat desserts or other items with sugar if they have more than 3 to 5 grams per serving size.

Don’t drink your calories! Avoid carbonated beverages, high-calorie nutritional supplements, milk shakes, and drinks that have no nutritional value.

Limit snacking between meals.

If you stick to these tips and prepare healthy recipes, you’ll maximize your chances to keep your weight off post-bariatric surgery and feel great*.