If you've had bariatric surgery, congratulations! You are well on your way to a healthier weight and lifestyle.

Your meal portions are much smaller now. To maintain optimal health, it’s important to make each bite count. Your new diet is designed to help you progress with weight loss in a nutritionally sound manner to help you reach your health goals. Eating a variety of foods will help you obtain adequate protein, vitamins and minerals.

To help increase the variety in your diet, the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Bariatric Surgery Program is offering a selection of recipes for you to enjoy. Many of our recipes were shared by individuals who have undergone gastric bypass, lap band or other gastric bypass weight loss surgery at Froedtert & The Medical College. All of the recipes provided have been reviewed by our registered dietitians for optimal nutritional content. (Be sure to review our “Nutrition Basics” below for additional information.)

Recipes by RSS

Our recipes our available by RSS feed. To get the address of the feed, click the orange button on the bottom right of this page. Learn more about RSS.

Please note, recipes may need to be modified based your own gastric bypass diet stage. If you have any questions about using the recipes offered here, please consult your healthcare provider.

We’ll add new recipes at regular intervals, so please be sure to check in often. Bon Appétit!

List of Recipes

Faux Fried Chicken
Cheesy Vegetarian Chili
Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken
Cheesy Crustless Quiche
Spicy Avocado Spread
Fruity Breakfast Wrap
Creamy Cauliflower Puree
Provencal Chicken Supper
Squash Apple Bake
Protein Packed Pesto
Tzatziki Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Saucex
Good Morning Casserole
Low Carb Veggie Pizza
Creamy Pumpkin Mousse
Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
"Fluffy" Jello
Stuffed French Toast
Sweet and Sour Pork
Turkey Bean Enchilda
Turkey Turnovers
Whopper Burger
Bean Spread
Creamy Balsamic Honey Mustard Dressing
Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Chicken Casserole
Broccoli, Egg and Cheese Bake
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Tuna or Chicken Salad
BBQ Roasted Salmon
Magically Moist Chicken
Lemon Broiled Orange Roughy
Crustless Spinach Quiche
Crunchy Tuna Patties

Quick Guide: Nutrition Basics

As you continue to lose weight, it is important to develop and maintain healthy eating habits. Success with weight loss will depend on your adherence to nutritious food choices and avoiding snacking or “grazing” between meals. The stomach pouch created by your surgery is a tool you will need to become accustomed to in order to meet your weight loss goals. The following nutrition overview provides a few quick tips to keep you on the right track.

Protein

Because your body cannot store protein, it needs a constant supply to repair and replace tissues that become worn out or damaged. Therefore, you need to eat protein every day to refresh your body’s basic protein needs. Aim for a minimum of 60 grams of protein each day. The gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery procedure reduces the capacity of the stomach to a very small volume. Therefore, protein-rich foods must be eaten with each meal to be sure the body gets enough to preserve lean muscle mass. We do not advise using high calorie protein supplements or beverages. We recommend eating high protein-containing foods at the beginning of each meal. Lean proteins like fish, poultry, eggs and low fat cottage cheese are just a few good choices.

Vitamins and Minerals

After gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery, you will not be able to eat the amount or variety of foods needed to meet recommended vitamin and mineral requirements through your diet alone. A high potency multivitamin/mineral supplement with iron must be taken every day. Daily calcium and vitamin B12 supplements are also recommended to maintain adequate vitamin and mineral stores and prevent anemia and osteoporosis. Some patients require additional supplements after surgery. Your physician will determine your individual needs based on the results of lab work.

Sugar and Fats

After gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery, a condition called dumping syndrome will occur if you eat foods high in sugar and fat (greater than 10 grams per serving). Symptoms of dumping syndrome include profound sleepiness, light-headedness, profuse sweating, rapid heart rate, cramping abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Avoiding foods or liquids with high sugar and fat content will help prevent dumping syndrome. Sweets, candies, fruit juice, soda, high fat meats and fried foods are examples of selections that may cause problems.

Date: Dec. 20, 2011

Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler