Gastric bypass procedures can help most morbidly obese -- more than 100 lbs. overweight -- individuals lose about 70 percent of their excess weight within the first 12 to 15 months, according to the Obesity Action Coalition. Because the surgery permanently alters the digestive system, patients must make long-term changes to their diets to avoid unpleasant symptoms or weight regain. Always follow your surgeon's dietary guidelines, as opinions vary about the necessity to avoid certain foods, including citrus fruits.
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass, considered the gold standard of bariatric or weight loss surgery, facilitates weight loss in two ways. First, the surgeon removes part of your stomach, creating a tiny, egg-sized pouch that limits the amount of food you can take in at one time while making you feel satisfied with smaller meals. Second, the surgeon rearranges the small intestines so food bypasses the area where it is normally digested, blocking some calorie absorption.
Focus on Protein
After a gastric bypass, your nutritional focus must be on getting enough protein -- about 60 to 80 mg or more a day -- to prevent loss of lean muscle mass, says Linda Aills, R.D., lead researcher in a study published in the September 2008 issue of "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases." Eating too many vegetables and fruits -- including citrus -- and whole grains will prevent you from getting enough protein.
Sugar
Some gastric bypass patients can enjoy vitamin C-rich citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes and tangerine as low-calorie snacks or desserts. However, other patients may react to the high levels of naturally occurring sugar in these fruits and their juices. Gastric bypass patients who ingest high levels of sugar may experience dumping syndrome, a condition that causes abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea and nausea.
Digestibility
Certain foods may cause digestive problems after gastric bypass, including fibrous fruits and vegetables, tough meats and doughy breads. The smaller stomach pouch and rearranged intestinal tract cannot break these foods down completely and some patients also complain that the foods seem to stick in the stomach opening. If you can tolerate the fruit itself, be sure to remove all of the membranes to avoid digestive issues. The acidity of citrus fruits may also cause discomfort.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Gastric Bypass Diet
- West Penn Allegheny Health Sytstem: Bariatric Surgery: Risks and Complications
- Sunkist.com: Health & Nutrition
- "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 4"; ASMBS Allied Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patients; Linda Aills, R.D., et al.; September 2008
- Cleveland Clinic Florida; Medical Nutrition Therapy For Gastroparesis; Lillian Craggs-Dino, M.S., R.D.
- Obesity Action Coalition: Bariatric Surgery
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