Top Foods and Drinks to Avoid after Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of stomach to decrease the appetite so that patients feel full faster and are able to lose weight more quickly. At Tijuana Bariatrics, gastric sleeve is one of our most popular surgical techniques. Gastric sleeve has a high rate of success and minimal risk of complications.
After surgery at our Tijuana, Mexico, facility, patients should stay away from foods that could increase the risk of complications or make weight loss more difficult. Here, we go over the top foods and drinks to avoid after gastric sleeve treatment.
Alcohol
After gastric sleeve surgery, patients will consume less food and beverages. Because patients need to be sure they are getting enough protein and nutrients in their diet, they should refrain from drinking beverages with meals. Although gastric sleeve patients can drink between meals, they should avoid high calorie beverages, including alcohol.
Alcohol has a high calorie content and can make patients feel too full to eat a proper meal. The body will also absorb alcohol more quickly after gastric sleeve surgery, which means that it will be easier for patients to become intoxicated.
Soda
Soda is another poor choice after gastric sleeve surgery. Soda is full of sugar, meaning that it contains “empty” calories, or calories that do not benefit the body.
Soda is also carbonated. Carbonated beverages can cause bloating and discomfort after gastric sleeve surgery. It is not just soda that patients should avoid; any beverage that is carbonated or has a high sugar content should be avoided after bariatric surgery.
Bread and White Grains
Bread and white grains make the stomach feel full without providing any real nutritional value. Starchy foods like these can also be more difficult to chew and swallow. In extreme cases, starchy foods can even block the small opening of the stomach.
Our patients do not need to avoid starches altogether, but they should either stick to small portions, or choose whole grain options that provide more nutrients.
Fatty Foods
Fatty foods and beverages, including whole milk, butter, oil, and fried foods, should be avoided after gastric sleeve. Fatty foods are high in calories and low in nutrients. If patients continually eat fatty foods after gastric sleeve surgery, they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies, and weight loss results will slow down. Eventually, patients who regularly eat fatty foods can regain weight they lost immediately after surgery.
Desserts and Sugary Snacks
Just like fatty foods, desserts and sugary snacks contain substantial calories, yet provide no nutritional benefits. Patients should avoid these foods completely while they recover from gastric sleeve surgery.
Contact Us
Gastric sleeve surgery helps obese patients lose weight to improve their health. Although gastric sleeve surgery makes it easier to lose weight, patients still need to be committed to adopting a healthier lifestyle after their procedure.
If you have questions about gastric sleeve surgery, or what to expect after treatment, contact us at your earliest convenience.