Gastric bypass is a major weight-loss surgery that helps reduce the amount of food you can eat and how much nutrition your body absorbs.
The amount of weight you may lose depends on your diet and exercise plan.
Read more: How Much Weight Will I Lose After Gastric Bypass Surgery?
To ensure you meet your post-surgery weight loss goals, here are some food items to avoid:
1. High-fat Meats
After your gastric bypass, high-fat meats like bacon, sausage, bologna, and salami should be avoided entirely. Not only are these types of meat fatty and high in calories, but they can also cause digestive issues due to their rich fat content. Eating high-fat meats can lead to more stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
2. Sugary Foods
When it comes to bariatric surgery, you must avoid sugary foods. Sugary foods can spike your blood sugar levels, which can cause weight gain and other health issues. Many of such foods are also high in calories and low in nutritional value. Examples of sugary foods to avoid include candy, cakes, pastries, cookies, ice cream, sodas, and other sugary drinks.
3. Alcohol
Gastric bypass involves a drastic change in how your body absorbs food and drinking alcohol after the procedure is not recommended. It can be challenging for your body to process the toxins in alcoholic beverages, which could lead to liver damage and serious health risks over time. Additionally, alcohol has a high-calorie content which can contribute to weight gain if you do not account for them in your daily caloric intake. If you choose to drink alcohol after gastric bypass, you must limit yourself to no more than 1-2 servings per day and avoid high-calorie beverages such as beer or wine coolers.
4. Dry Foods
Dry, crunchy foods are not recommended after gastric bypass surgery because they can be challenging to digest. Dry-roasted nuts, crackers, and pretzels should all be avoided, as these can create a blockage in the stomach or intestine. Additionally, some dry cereals, such as oatmeal, could cause nausea and vomiting if your stomach has not healed completely. Stick to softer, less processed foods that are easier to digest.
5. Caffeinated and Carbonated Beverages
Caffeinated and carbonated beverages should be avoided after gastric bypass surgery. This includes caffeinated coffee or tea, energy drinks, soda, and sparkling water. Caffeine can cause dehydration and increase the risk of dumping syndrome for those who have post-gastric bypass surgery. Carbonated beverages may cause bloating and discomfort.
6. Dairy Products
High-fat dairy products, such as ice cream and cheese, should be avoided after gastric bypass surgery. Dairy products are more likely to cause nausea, vomiting, and dumping syndrome due to their high-fat levels. Try to choose low-fat alternatives such as low-fat or non-dairy milk and yogurt. Also, many dairy products are high in sugar, so it is essential to read the nutrition labels carefully. Call Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital for the best Roux-en-Y in Maryland. We offer a range of surgical services with excellent outcomes and take every precaution to ensure safety and comfort. Our team will also provide comprehensive after-care instructions and advice regarding lifestyle changes.
FAQs
Avoid sugar, sugar-containing foods and beverages, concentrated sweets and fruit juices. For the first two months following surgery, your calorie intake should be between 300 and 600 calories a day, with a focus on thin and thicker liquids. Daily caloric intake should not exceed 1,000 calories.
What foods are off limits after bariatric surgery? ›
Avoid sugar, sugar-containing foods and beverages, concentrated sweets and fruit juices. For the first two months following surgery, your calorie intake should be between 300 and 600 calories a day, with a focus on thin and thicker liquids. Daily caloric intake should not exceed 1,000 calories.
Are there foods you can never eat again after gastric bypass? ›
But what can you not eat after gastric bypass? Firstly, avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat. This could include bread, pasta, pizza, and cookies. And avoid carbs or excess sodium while you're still healing, for several weeks.
What foods make you dump after gastric bypass? ›
Foods that are high in sugar are likely to cause dumping syndrome. This is because high amounts of sugar draw more water into the small intestine and can move gastric contents faster. High fat foods can also cause dumping syndrome in some people.
How do you get enough nutrients after gastric bypass? ›
You will need to make sure you are getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while you are losing weight quickly. Eating mostly protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help your body get the nutrients it needs. Protein may be the most important of these foods early after surgery.
Can you ever eat normally after gastric bypass? ›
A gastric bypass diet follows a staged approach to help you ease back into eating solid foods. How quickly you move from one step to the next depends on how fast your body heals and adjusts to the change in eating patterns. You can usually start eating regular foods about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
Can I eat mashed potatoes after gastric bypass? ›
Other food ideas include scrambled egg beaters or egg whites, canned chicken or salmon, tofu, ricotta cheese, sugar free yogurt, sugar free pudding, hot cereals (oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, grits), mashed winter squash or sweet potato, mashed potato, pureed soups.
Can I ever eat pizza again after gastric bypass? ›
If you frequently enjoy a slice of pizza, you may wonder, 'When can I have pizza after gastric bypass surgery? ' Fortunately, you do not have to eliminate pizza from your diet forever after a bypass surgery, but you should wait for at least 6 weeks before you can comfortably enjoy your delicacy.
What is not allowed after gastric bypass? ›
Eating fatty foods after surgery may make you nauseous and they aren't good for long-term success at weight loss. Skip the bacon, sausage, butter, whole milk, and hard cheeses and choose lower-fat options instead. Select low-fat sandwich meats, lean beef, chicken, turkey, and low-fat cheeses.
What can you no longer do after gastric bypass? ›
Avoid the use of drinking straws, carbonated beverages, chewing gum and ice. They can introduce excess air into your surgically created pouch and cause discomfort. Avoid sugar, sugary foods and beverages, and fruit juices.
For weight loss surgery patients, a good breakfast should include a lean protein, such as an egg white or a fat-free dairy product, a vegetable and a small amount of fruit or a whole grain. Remember to eat your protein first.
Can food get stuck in stomach after gastric bypass? ›
It's important to understand that the opening that leads from the stomach to the intestines may be much smaller after surgery, and large pieces of food can get stuck. You must chew food thoroughly, to avoid blocking the opening.
Can you eat junk food after gastric bypass? ›
Bottom Line. Ultimately, fast food may be an option when you're in a pinch and you have no other option. However, for most, staying away from the fast food is a good idea and one that you will certainly not regret as the pounds continue to fall and your health improves dramatically.
What happens if you don't eat enough protein after gastric bypass? ›
Without an adequate amount of proteins in the diet, the body can begin to show signs of a deficit. Increased Hunger: Cravings and poor food choices can be accelerated with irregular eating patterns and skipping meals. Unlike carbohydrates which provide the body with quick energy, proteins take longer to digest.
What is the most common deficiency after gastric bypass? ›
The most common clinically relevant micronutrient deficiencies after gastric bypass include thiamine, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, iron, and copper.
What happens if you don t chew your food enough after gastric bypass? ›
After bariatric surgery, it takes a while to realize exactly how big (or rather how small) your new stomach is and what it will hold. If you don't chew your food well, it's possible to have larger bites of food get stuck, which is not fun! Just ask any post-op patient that has experienced this before if you haven't.
What is not recommended after bariatric surgery? ›
Avoid rice, bread, raw vegetables, fresh fruits, and meats that aren't easy to chew, such as pork and steak. Ground meats may be easier to tolerate. Eat balanced meals with small portions. In the initial period after surgery, you may only be able to tolerate one to two tablespoons of food at a time.
What foods should I avoid after bypass surgery? ›
Examples of foods you should try to avoid include:
- meat pies.
- sausages and fatty cuts of meat.
- butter, lard and ghee (a type of butter often used in Indian cooking)
- cream.
- cakes and biscuits.
Foods to Avoid After Bariatric Surgery
Red meat that's tough or dry. Greasy, high fat foods. Heavily seasoned or spicy foods. Sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol.
