Foods You Can't Eat After Gastric Bypass Surgery
One of the keys to lasting bariatric surgery results is maintaining a proper diet. Knowing what to eat and what not to eat can make a major difference after surgery. That’s why our Tijuana, Mexico surgical weight loss specialists take great interest in the nutrition and fitness needs of patients.
To help weight loss surgery patients experience long-term weight loss after bariatric procedures, we would like to go over the do’s and don’ts of dieting after gastric bypass. You should avoid the foods and beverages listed below after you’ve undergone a surgical weight loss procedure.
Soft Drinks and Sodas
Carbonated beverages can cause you problems after you undergo bariatric surgery. The carbonation can make you feel uncomfortably full due to your smaller stomach size. In addition, sugary drinks or liquids with corn syrup can increase your risk of dumping syndrome. Stick with water to quench your thirst.
Alcoholic Beverages
If you’re eating or drinking something after bariatric surgery, it should ideally be nutritious. Alcoholic beverages are full of empty calories. Given the changes to your digestive tract, your alcohol tolerance tends to be much lower; a little bit of alcohol can cause you to become seriously intoxicated.
Caffeinated Beverages
Caffeine leads to dehydration, which needs to be avoided after bariatric surgery. If you enjoy coffee and tea, go for decaf to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Tough Meats and Jerky
Chewing your food thoroughly is important for digestion after gastric bypass surgery. Certain foods are much harder to chew thoroughly. Tough meats and jerkies tend to be extremely difficult to chew properly. That’s why the Tijuana Bariatrics team recommends that patients eat soft meats instead. They’re a better protein source and easier on your stomach.
Dry Foods
Dried fruits, nuts, and granola may be delicious, but they are difficult to swallow without water. Since patients are advised to drink between meals rather than during meals, dry foods should be avoided. That said, you can still have granola and cereals with low-fat milk.
Raw Fibrous Vegetables
Fibrous vegetables are healthy, but when eaten raw they can be difficult to digest. Examples of these vegetables include:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Corn
- Cabbage
- Celery
You can still have these healthy vegetables, but it’s a good idea to cook them first so they are softer and easier to chew and digest.
High-Fat Foods
Foods that are high in fat can lead to weight regain even after bariatric surgery. These fatty foods can also cause you to feel nauseous because of the richness of the meal. Try to avoid bacon, sausage, hard cheeses, whole milk, and butter.
Popcorn
Popcorn is healthy and filling, but after gastric bypass it can take up space in your stomach and be difficult to digest. You can have popcorn in small amounts after gastric bypass surgery, but save the popcorn for the end of a meal. This ensures you eat the most nutritious foods first and do not overeat.
Breads and Pastries
Anything made with flour is a recipe for weight gain. They also take up a lot of space in the stomach. Like popcorn, wait for the end of a meal to have any bread or pastries. Ideally, avoid anything with flour as much as possible.
Rice and Pasta
Rice and pasta are essentially like bread. Starchy foods like these take up room in your stomach and can cause you to pack on the pounds. Consider avoiding rice and pasta. After bariatric surgery, you should only have these kinds of foods in very small amounts if at all.
Empty Calories and Junk Food
There are so many snacks foods out there that should be completely avoided after bariatric surgery to maintain a healthy weight. Avoid potato chips, chocolate bars, candies, and other kinds of junk foods whenever possible.
Learn More About Weight Loss Surgery
For more information about losing weight in a safe and rapid way, be sure to contact our trusted bariatric surgeons and weight loss specialists.