Pizza After Bariatric Surgery | WeightWise

(Updated March 2025)

Pizza is one of the most popular comfort foods, and if you’ve had bariatric surgery, you may be wondering if it’s still on the menu. The good news is that you don’t have to give up pizza forever. However, traditional pizza with a thick, doughy crust and high-fat toppings isn’t the best option for bariatric patients looking to maintain their weight loss goals.

After weight loss surgery, your stomach is smaller, making it essential to prioritize nutrient-dense, high-protein foods that support healing and long-term weight loss. Standard pizza, with its refined flour crust, greasy cheese, and processed meats, can be difficult to digest and may not align with the balanced diet needed for success.

But that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to pizza—it just means getting creative with bariatric-friendly alternatives. It’s one of the biggest worries patients can have about undergoing a bariatric procedure: you won’t be able to eat anything “good” again. But with a few alterations, healthier toppings, and smaller slices, pizza is still a viable option.

When Can You Eat Pizza After Bariatric Surgery?

The timeline for eating pizza again depends on where you are in your post-op journey. In the early stages, your stomach is still healing, and you’ll be following a strict diet of liquids, soft foods, and purees. This means traditional pizza is off-limits.

Once you transition to solid foods, typically a few months after surgery, you may be able to reintroduce pizza in a modified, bariatric-friendly way. This means making smarter choices about crust, sauce, and pizza toppings to create a meal that aligns with your weight loss goals while still satisfying your cravings.

The Best Bariatric Pizza: Your Options

Just like with any food after weight-loss surgery, choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference in the world. From the dough to the cheese to the mouth-watering toppings, you can still make pizza one of your go-to meals. Let’s take a closer look at how you can still have one of your favorite foods.

Bariatric Pizza Crust

Traditional pizza dough, with its high carbohydrate content, might not align with your long-term weight loss goals. Fortunately, bariatric crust pizza dough options are designed to meet the unique dietary needs of those who’ve undergone bariatric surgery. These options are specially crafted to accommodate reduced carbohydrate intake and portion control–or get rid of the crust entirely!

A few options for bariatric-friendly pizza dough include cauliflower, almond flour, chickpea flour crust, and even portobello mushroom caps can act as the tasty foundation of your pizza. Cauliflower crust is a popular choice for bariatric pizza because it’s low in carbohydrates and can be made at home by mixing cauliflower with cheese, eggs, and seasonings.

You can also find pre-made cauliflower crusts in many grocery stores. Almond flour crusts are typically gluten-free and have a nutty flavor that compliments pizza toppings well. Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour, can be used to create a gluten-free and protein-rich pizza crust that holds up well to toppings.

If you like a little pizza with your mushrooms, why not start with the fungi? Portobello mushroom caps can serve as a creative and low-carb pizza base by removing the stems and gills and adding your favorite pizza toppings before baking. Even eggplants can provide a sturdy crust. Experiment with these crust options to find the one that you like best. Happy testing!

Bariatric Pizza Sauce

For many of us, the sauce is what makes a pizza in the first place! Luckily, you won’t have to make many concessions here, but you still need to be mindful about what kinds of sauces you use. Opt for a tomato-based pizza sauce that is lower in sugar and sodium–no added sugars or artificial additives are best. Make sure to read the table of contents and nutritional value.

Making your own pizza sauce allows you to have full control over the ingredients. You can use fresh tomatoes, herbs, and spices like black pepper and garlic powder to create a flavorful, low-sugar sauce. Some creamy or Alfredo-style pizza sauces can be high in fat. It’s best to choose a sauce that is lower in fat and calories, as excessive fat intake may lead to digestive issues post-bariatric surgery.

Always check the nutrition label and ingredients list to ensure the sauce aligns with your dietary needs and restrictions. Pizza sauce can be bariatric-friendly as long as you choose a sauce that is low in added sugars and you pay attention to the ingredient quality. Homemade or carefully selected commercial pizza sauces can be part of a bariatric-friendly pizza meal.

Bariatric Pizza Toppings

Here’s where you have a little more freedom to make the pizza your own. Part-skim mozzarella or reduced-fat cheese are the best choices for bariatric patients, providing classic pizza cheese flavor and meltability with fewer calories and less saturated fat. Just remember not to overdo it with the cheese–you still need to be mindful of portions.

From there, any high-protein low-fat meats are perfect for the finishing touches. Remember that portion control is important when adding meat to your bariatric pizza. You don’t need a large amount to enjoy the flavor and protein benefits. Season it with your favorite herbs and spices for extra flavor.

Grilled chicken breast or lean ground chicken or turkey are excellent, lean protein sources for bariatric pizza. Turkey pepperoni is lower in fat than traditional pepperoni while still giving you that familiar pepperoni look and taste. Canadian bacon is typically lower in fat than regular bacon. Lean turkey sausage and even ground beef can also be used, just be sure to drain all the grease.

Don’t forget the veggies! They can add flavor and texture without compromising your dietary restrictions. Sliced bell peppers, sliced or diced mushrooms, fresh spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, sliced black or green olives, and more can add color and even more nutrition to your pie. And you can sprinkle it all with a little parmesan cheese.

Tell us the truth: does the above sound like you’re on some crazy diet? Or does it sound so delicious you’re already making a shopping list for dinner tonight? You don’t have to tell us–we think we know the answer.

Bariatric pizza is just one of the ways you don’t have to compromise on taste to meet your dietary guidelines after weight loss surgery. You can even take some liberties with recipes to create crustless pizza casserole or chicken crust pizza!

Take the Next Step in Your Weight Loss Journey

Pizza can still be part of your life after bariatric surgery—it just takes a few smart swaps. If you’re considering weight loss surgery and want to know how to maintain your favorite foods while achieving your health goals, take our quick assessment today. Your journey to a healthier you starts now!