Foods to Avoid after Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery involves reducing your stomach’s capacity so that you consume less food and fewer calories. Because your stomach will hold significantly less food after surgery, you must be picky with what you choose to eat. Also, eating certain foods can cause uncomfortable side effects, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In this post, Dr. V. Kuzinkovas of Advanced Surgicare reveals some of the foods you should definitely avoid after weight loss surgery.

Tough or Chewy Foods

After surgery, you will start with a liquid or soft foods-only diet, and gradually ease back into eating solid foods. 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. Instead of eating tough or chewy foods like red meat, you should get your protein from leaner cuts of meat, chicken or fish, or even beans, cottage cheese or yogurt.

Empty Calories

Eating foods void of nutritional value (e.g., pastries, candy, chips or pretzels) is unwise. These foods offer nothing to nourish your body and can lead to weight regain. Foods that are especially high in sugar or fat can lead to “dumping syndrome,” meaning the foods are dumped into the bowel quickly after being consumed. Dumping syndrome causes uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, weakness, cold sweat, vomiting and diarrhea.

Raw Vegetables

Raw, fibrous vegetables are often a problem after bariatric surgery because they are hard to digest. It’s better to eat cooked, soft vegetables without skin, like beans or peas.

Spicy Foods

Initially, spicy foods may be difficult for your digestive system to process. It’s best to re-incorporate foods into your diet slowly after bariatric surgery. If you find that you cannot tolerate spicy foods at first, you should wait awhile before trying to re-introduce them to your diet.

Caffeinated Beverages

It is recommended that you avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea immediately following weight loss surgery, as they can stimulate acid secretion and irritate your digestive tract. Caffeine can also lead to dehydration, as it has a diuretic effect, so even if you can tolerate it, you should be mindful of staying hydrated.

Contact Dr. V. Kuzinkovas

Our excellent team of nutritional experts will guide you to make great dietary choices after your bariatric surgery and put you on the path to long-term success. If you have a question about anything in this post, please call Advanced Surgicare on 1300 551 533 or send an email on info@advancedsurgicare.com.au today.