What Foods Should I Avoid After The Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass, a type of weight loss surgery, helps morbidly obese people lose significant amounts of weight and keep it off. However, only about 80 percent of patients experience successful results, according to the Highland Hospital Bariatric Surgery Center. The other 20 percent fail, primarily because of poor patient compliance with postoperative diet instructions. Avoiding certain foods, limiting portions and otherwise following nutritional guidelines help to maintain a healthy weight after gastric bypass

Gastric Bypass Procedure

Gastric bypass is usually performed laparoscopically, using a tiny video camera and special instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. The procedure involves reducing the size of the stomach to a small pouch and diverting the digestive system around most of the small intestine. Patients lose weight rapidly because they feel full after eating small amounts of food and some of the calories they eat do not absorb completely. The procedure is reserved for morbidly obese individuals -- those at least 100 pounds heavier than their ideal weights -- to assist them in reducing their risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and other serious obesity-related conditions.

Postoperative Diet

Gastric bypass patients must eat a high protein, low sugar and low fat diet after surgery to facilitate weight loss and prevent unpleasant digestive symptoms. For the first 8 to 10 weeks after the procedure, the patient progresses gradually from a clear liquid diet to solids to allow the body to heal. Although surgeons' guidelines vary, most patients drink clear liquids for a day or two, followed by full liquids, pureed foods and soft foods before beginning to eat regular food. During the recovery period, patients must avoid all foods not on their approved foods list.

Sugary Foods

Most gastric bypass patients must avoid sugary foods for the rest of their lives. These foods provide empty calories without nutritional value that contribute to weight gain. They may also cause dumping syndrome, a condition that causes gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal cramping, fatigue, rapid heart rate and diarrhea shortly after eating. Early dumping syndrome occurs within 30 minutes to 1 hour, and late dumping syndrome occurs 1 to 3 hours after eating. To prevent dumping syndrome, limit simple carbohydrates including candy, cakes, cookies and other sugary desserts. Read food labels carefully and avoid foods that list sugar, glucose, sucrose, fructose, dextrose, honey and corn syrup. Beverages, such as milkshakes, soft drinks and fruit juices, can also cause dumping syndrome and weight gain.

High Fat Foods

Fatty foods are high in calories and as such, may contribute to weight gain. They may also cause dumping syndrome. Avoid high fat meats, including bacon, sausage and spareribs, hot dogs, salami and bologna, as well as fried meat and fish. Choose nonfat or reduced-fat cheese and milk instead of full-fat dairy products, and avoid high fat pastries, pies, ice cream and other desserts.

Difficult-to-Digest Foods

Some foods are difficult for patients to digest and should be avoided. Add new foods slowly and, if a problem occurs, try it again in a few weeks or avoid it altogether. Many patients find that soft, doughy bread tends to stick in the opening to the stomach after surgery. Other difficult-to-digest foods include tough or dry meat and fish, popcorn, nuts and fibrous vegetables.

What Foods Should I Avoid After the Gastric Bypass?

Gastric Bypass Procedure

Postoperative Diet

Sugary Foods

High Fat Foods

Difficult-to-Digest Foods

References

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