When I went in for my consult, prior to either surgery, I asked the question about diet as I had gastric sleeve surgery 8 years ago for weight loss and there was a regimen of starting with clear liquids (water, juices, jello), followed by soft "mushies" (mashed potatoes, oatmeal), followed by gradual reintroduction to regular foods (see: http://www.bariatric-surgery-s.../bariatric-diet.html for the regimen).
My surgeon said that I would be able to take regular foods immediately after both surgeries as they were at the end of the gastro-intestinal tract rather than at the start.
Well, while I was in the hospital immediately after my takedown, I had issues where food apparently was not passing properly where the small intestines were reconnected (the temporary ileostomy). This caused severe pain and vomiting every time I ate. I had to have my stomach pumped and an X-ray to ensure that the pathway was clear. It was clear in the X-ray, so it was not known why food was not getting through. My surgeon thought that perhaps the small intestine was swollen, but not shut entirely, at the suture site resulting in the pain.
Needless to say, after the episode above, I immediately went to the weight-loss post eating (though at an accelerated rate) and the nausea, vomiting, and pain stopped. My ability to take food returned with little to no issues after that, though I occasionally had some pain as the solid food passed by that sensitive area.
As time went on, and the healing continued, the "episodes" of nausea and pain were further and further apart and now at 9 months out, I believe I am now at the turning point where the only residual lasting issue is the frequency of stools (4-6 times during the day and 1-2 times at night) and no pain(!) which I've been told is normal at my recent surgical update last week.
So, in my case, following the weight-loss approach I previously experienced helped a lot! Make sure, however, that you run this by your surgeon first as I did.
Hope this helps.
