The full liquid diet is the second diet phase you will advance to after your lap band surgery. Full liquids are liquids that you cannot see through and include protein shakes, soups (smooth, no large pieces of food), drinkable yogurt like Lifeway Kefir (ideally Greek, non-fat), sugar free Jell-O, sugar-free pudding, sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc. These full liquid enter your post LAP-BAND® diet on day 3 through approximately day 9. The goal is to slowly advance to foods with a thicker consistency and prep your lap band for solids and other appropriate foods.

During this period, the goal caloric intake is 600-800 kcal/day minimum although an overall goal of 1200 kcal should be reached by day 28. We recommend our patients start with protein shakes such as Bariatric Advantage Meal Replacement which we sell in the office or a quality whey-protein shake like Premier Protein. The minimum protein shake intake per day for women should be two servings and three for men. Don’t forget to start back on your vitamins at this phase as well! Chewable vitamins are recommended as they dissolve and won’t sit in the pouch above your band potentially causing irritation like a tablet would.