Question:
is there a list of foods that can't be eaten anymore post op
are there any foods that the body will not tolerate anymore or be harmful after surgery and forever after — lpampalo (posted on January 12, 2009)
January 12, 2009
I think this question is best answered by your surgeon and dietition or
nutritionist, because they know you and your situation on a medical and
personal level. However, I personally know of a good book that you might
want to read, and another I wasn't aware of but that might have information
for you, also. The first one is called "Before and After" by
Susan Maria Leach - and has over 135 recipies in it for post op patients,
and the other, which I have not read but might have some sensible info is
"Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" - someone on the list mentioned
it a week or so ago. I hope you find the answers you need. I started out
looking for a list like that, too.... and I've pretty much had to just
become an avid reader of labels and watch the protein, carb and fat content
of what I'm eating and/or drinking.
— Erica Alikchihoo
January 12, 2009
Surgery is a dietary lifestyle change...Food is not harmful in itself,
unless you personally have reactions to it. (Such as allergies) I was
taught to look for high protein and fiber...and lower sugar and fat...No
foods were forbidden BUT, I was told to eat carbs and sugar and good fats
in moderation and only occassionally...Not all people dump fats and sugars
and even your surgeon cannot guess who will or will not dump...And there
are so many that do not dump (And are very disappointed) and have a harder
time controlling the "moderation" after 1-2 years post op. The
only things I was told was not allowed were NSAIDS (such as advil, motrin,
aspirin, etc) These are harmful to the pouch and can cause ulcers and
other problems because they are very harsh on your new surgery. Simple
carbs are discouraged from eating daily...and to try to replace with
complex carbs...Replace white flour foods with whole grains....Replace
sticky white rice with a drier more chewy rice like brown rice...The longer
you cook rice the more carbs it has...If you eat your rice or any pasta
slightly undercooked (al dente) It has less carbs...The softer it gets the
more carbs you absorb! The universal rule is to always eat protein first,
then your complex carbs (fruits, veggies and whole grains)...
When you over eat carbs, and do not burn them off as fuel, your body stores
them as fat...SO don't over eat! Work off a heavy meal! That's the
lifestyle changes you MUST make for long term success! Plus the more
refined the carb,...the faster it turns to sugar. The brain is happy...It
likes sugar and calories (fuel)...but no nutrition and it says "let's
start storing this stuff"...and "let's eat more, more,
more!"(cravings) So knowing this, you make better choices whenever
possible...I eat fruits and veggies anytime...any amount...But I limit
grains, starchy veggies and certainly sugar. I don't drink sugar or soda
(Totally empty calories and no nutrition at all!)...But will have a SF soda
once in a while...Which I can only sip anyway...Gulping carbonated drinks
would lay me out on the floor in pain! Everyone is different in what they
can and cannot tolerate...We all have surgeons and Nuts with different
opinions also...ULTIMATELY, it is YOUR body and you need to stay on track
LONG TERM...not just til you real goal, but always! ...When you have
surgery to correct a problem, you need to take it seriously and commit
yourself to certain changes...It won't matter if you are very strict or
very lienent with your choicesIF you over eat; you will gain weight
back...It doesn't matter if you over eat apples...or if you eat protein or
if you over eat supplements...CALORIES make you gain weight...As far as
food being harmful, the only time it is harmful is when you are newly post
op and healing...Your surgeon should give you a list of foods to stay away
from initially...Generally that's what the stages are all about until you
graduate to eating like a regular small person...only
healthier...leaner...and better choices whenever possible. (Baked or
broiled over fried...Chicken with no skin...SF drinks...Fruit over baked
desserts) That sort of thing... Good luck and ask your surgeon for a the
stages of what foods you can have and when!
— .Anita R.
January 12, 2009
I think if you asked 100 bypass people, you would get 100 different
answers. I can't tolerate Kraft Macoroni and cheese(good thing) skin of
almost all fruit. Blueberries are the worse. Milk and anything with alot of
sugar or fat. I am 4 years post op.
— smparker2
January 12, 2009
Linda, as soon as you swallow something, you will probably know if you can
eat it or not! If not, you will feel terribly ill for quite a while, those
are the things that you shouldn't eat. This also includes the sweets, the
treats and all the fatty and sugary things that we like but shouldn't have.
Ask your surgeon and nutritionist what would be best for you and remember
that you are doing this to improve your life and health. If it's not
healthy, don't consider it.
Good luck
— anitak
January 12, 2009
Each person is different on things they can and can not
"tolerate". I could probably walk around with a tub of butter
flavor crisco and a spoon (since I haven't dumped from fats), but that
doesn't mean it's something I want to do.
Some can't eat certain types of meat anymore. Some are told no to popcorn.
Some aren't. Some are told no to gum. Some are encouraged to chew it.
My surgeon had me bring it to the hospital. Some are told no caffine ever.
Some aren't. Some can drink coffee. I, personally, can't. It burns my
pouch.
Like everyone else said: the basic rule is to cut out refined carbs and
focus on protein...adding in fruits and veggies and whole grains (in
moderation). Does that mean that you can't have a nibble of wedding cake
at your daughter's wedding??? That really depends on you and your plan. I
could because cake isn't a trigger. I can take it or leave it. Could I
have a coke? No way! IF my body tolerated it, I would be hooked. There
are things I've decided to not even try...real ice cream, fried foods, soda
of any kind, sugary drinks of any kind, white rice, regular pasta,
pancakes, waffles...I could go on and on with the things I've removed from
my diet. My body probably could "tolerate" them, but I know I
can't have those things in moderation. If you spend your time eating the
things you're SUPPOSED to, then you won't have any time or space to eat the
junk.
— Launa N.
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