You’ve probably noticed that there are lot of changes after WLS when it comes to eating. And while your providers and other patients have told that this or that can happen, you never know how things will change for you until you’ve had surgery. In this post, we’ve summarised common food intolerances after bariatric surgery and what to do about them.
It’s not uncommon for certain foods to cause digestive problems after surgery. These can include stomachaches, cramping, nausea, gas, constipation, and diarrhoea. Your vitamins and minerals may also cause some of these symptoms. Since there can be many causes for digestive issues after surgery, it’s important to pay attention to what the main triggers are so that you can address them. For example, if your vitamins cause you nausea, you might need to change how you take them. The same goes for food. If chicken breast turns your stomach in knots, maybe go for the dark meat instead. Let’s explore the food side this a bit more below!
Foods commonly not tolerated after bariatric surgery:
- Soft, Doughy Foods: Pasta, rice, bread…anything you can squish into a ball in your hand basically. If is balls up in your hand, it can feel like it’s doing that in your stomach as well. On the other hand, foods that crumble (crackers, toast, etc) tend to sit just fine. Go for those if you are having trouble with the softer foods.
- Tougher Meats: These tend to be an issue because you don’t have as much acid in your stomach after surgery. Plus, the enzymes needed to break down fats and protein can also be affected by surgery. There are a few things you can do here: cut the meat into small pieces, chew well, use sauces, and marinate or tenderize before cooking. You may also want to stick to cooking methods that help break the meats down. For example, stewing or using a slow cooker can make a big difference.
- Eggs: For some reason, many people have problems with eggs after surgery. However, just because eggs cooked one way bother you does not mean eggs cooked another way will. Also to note, overcooked eggs tend to be more problematic that softer eggs.
- Alcohol: Blood alcohol levels rise faster and stay higher longer after bariatric surgery. This is why you may feel a bit buzzed after just a little to drink. A lower-carb diet and rapid weight loss combined with alcohol can also lead to low blood sugars. So be careful if you drink alcohol, take is slow, and make sure you’ve had something to eat.
- Acidic Foods: Particularly after a VSG, acidic foods like citrus, coffee, and tomatoes can cause acid reflux, as can chocolate, garlic, and fatty foods. Many people take acid-lowering medications to prevent this. Try to determine which (if any) foods provoke this for you and talk with your doctor about using medication to control it if needed.
- Lactose: Some people become lactose intolerant after surgery. This issue is often temporary and can be helped by taking lactase enzymes when you have dairy.
Other items that can cause issues include sugary foods (cakes, sweets), fatty foods (think greasy, fried, or heavy foods), string fruits and veggies (citrus membranes, pineapple, celery), and carbonated beverages.
Are there any foods that you react to? Follow us on Instagram and comment there!