Gastric Bypass & Caffeine

About one-third of Americans are obese, according to a report by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Gastric bypass surgery helps weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach, so you feel fuller while eating less. Recent techniques are less invasive and as safe as gallbladder or hip replacement surgeries, says the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. No matter which technique you and your doctor choose, you must follow some basic diet guidelines, including caffeine use.

What to Eat After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Your doctor or a dietitian can guide your food preparation and choices in the first few months following your surgery. The overall goal of weight-loss surgery is to improve health, though, so to reach that goal, your diet should include high-protein, low-fat foods. Protein helps with healing, but fats are hard to digest. You'll also need to take vitamin and mineral supplements, because intake of these nutrients is affected by the surgery. The Mayo Clinic outlines the phases for reintroducing food to your diet following gastric bypass surgery.

What Not to Eat After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Besides limiting fat intake, you also must be careful how much fiber you eat in the first few months after your surgery. Your stomach takes longer to digest foods, and fiber tends to be bulky and remain in the stomach longer. It's possible for undigested fiber to get stuck in the stomach or block the opening between the stomach and the intestines. Seeds, nuts, popcorn, dried fruits, granola, bread and gristly meat are all slow to digest, so talk to your health care provider before adding them to your diet.

What About Caffeine?

According to Scott J. Belsley, M.D., a board-certified surgeon and robotic surgery researcher, you should be cautious in drinking caffeine -- whether in coffee or other beverages -- following weight-loss surgeries. Caffeine is the subject of a lot of research, much of which is contradictory. Caffeine is known to increase stomach acid, causing indigestion and possibly leading to an ulcer. Even decaffeinated coffee can upset your stomach. Some studies suggests coffee increases your risk for a gastrointestinal bacterial infection called H pylori, as well as acid reflux, but the research has been inconclusive. Caffeine is a known diuretic that may slow healing. You need to control fluid intake and output after your surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, which recommends waiting a bit after surgery before adding coffee or caffeinated beverages to your diet.

Safe Eating Tips

No matter your food or beverage choices, eat slowly and chew your food well following weight-loss surgery. Eating too fast can cause nausea, vomiting or dumping syndrome, which occurs when foods enter the intestine too quickly without adequate digestion. Large chunks of poorly chewed food may cause a blocked intestinal opening. Your stomach will fill up fast, so consider smaller, more frequent meals. Liquids will also fill you up faster, so drink those beverages between, not with, meals.