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
You are more likely to have dumping syndrome if you eat a meal heavy in starches or sugars. The sugars can be either fructose or table sugar (sucrose). Insulin levels can increase to high levels, and then lower your blood sugar too much.
What foods can I not eat after gastric bypass surgery? ›
To ensure you meet your post-surgery weight loss goals, here are some food items to avoid:
- High-fat Meats. After your gastric bypass, high-fat meats like bacon, sausage, bologna, and salami should be avoided entirely. ...
- Sugary Foods. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Dry Foods. ...
- Caffeinated and Carbonated Beverages. ...
- Dairy Products.
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.
You are more likely to have dumping syndrome if you eat a meal heavy in starches or sugars. The sugars can be either fructose or table sugar (sucrose). Insulin levels can increase to high levels, and then lower your blood sugar too much.
What are the restrictions after gastric bypass? ›
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 things you can never eat again after gastric bypass? ›
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.
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.
Do and don'ts after bypass surgery? ›
Light household chores, such as setting the table, folding clothes, walking, and climbing stairs, should be OK. Slowly increase the amount and intensity of your activities over the first 3 months. Do not exercise outside when it is too cold or too hot. Stop if you feel short of breath, dizzy, or any pain in your chest.
Can I eat mashed potatoes after bypass surgery? ›
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 you live 20 years after bypass surgery? ›
Some people go on to live 20 years or more after CABG. And a very small number of people may die during or shortly after surgery. There are a number of factors that help influence life expectancy after CABG.
Sixty three percent of these deaths occurred within 30-days of the initial bariatric surgery, 40% occurred after hospital discharge. Anastomotic leak was the most common underlying cause of death (36% of deaths), followed by pulmonary embolism (12%) and cardiac causes (9%).
What is the fastest way to recover from gastric bypass? ›
The single most effective way to shorten recovery time is to get active right away. Simply walking short distances and even changing positions in bed promotes circulation. Good blood flow enhances healing and discourages the formation of blood clots.
What helps you poop after gastric bypass? ›
Tips for Relieving Constipation After Bariatric Surgery
- Drink Benefiber or Metamucil.
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day.
- Drink at least 64 oz of water per day.
- Incorporate plain probiotic yogurt into your diet.
- Take a gentle over the counter laxative (Miralax)
What is the recovery time from gastric bypass surgery? You'll likely spend a day recovering in the hospital, then a few weeks recovering at home before you feel ready to go back to work. You may need to avoid strenuous activity for up to six weeks, and it may take up to twelve weeks to resume a normal diet.
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.
How to reset your stomach after gastric bypass? ›
The 5-Day Pouch Reset Test
- Day 1: Clear liquids like watch broth and sugar-free popsicles.
- Day 2: Full liquids only, including yogurt, protein shakes.
- Day 3: Pureed foods, including low-fat cottage cheese and scrambled eggs.
- Day 4: Soft foods, like soft cereals, steamed fish, soups, mashed fruits.
- Day 5: Healthy solid foods.
What is the recovery time from gastric bypass surgery? You'll likely spend a day recovering in the hospital, then a few weeks recovering at home before you feel ready to go back to work. You may need to avoid strenuous activity for up to six weeks, and it may take up to twelve weeks to resume a normal diet.
Can you eat snacks after gastric bypass? ›
It's recommended to have 3 meals per day and one snack. However, it's important to have portion-controlled, nutritious meals to keep you full and nourished in between. Following a schedule and eating 3 nutritious meals a day can help you stay in control of your diet and avoid impulsive late-night snacking.
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.
What happens if you eat bread after gastric bypass? ›
Because of the starchy nature of bread, rice, and pasta, after your surgery, they can form a paste in your throat that is hard to swallow without liquid. In some cases, they can block the stoma, the hole to the pouch that is your new stomach.
