Bariatric surgery is one of the most popular surgery methods these days. It can help you to lose weight and get that dream body you desire.
Unfortunately, once you have Bariatric surgery, there are some foods and beverages that you will be prohibited from eating. Some good examples are coffee and alcohol.
While many of us can stay without alcohol, some people must drink coffee daily. If you are such a person, you may feel like ignoring your doctor’s advice and drinking coffee after Bariatric surgery. Would that be detrimental to your life and health? Let’s find out.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Although the term Bariatric surgery sounds complicated, it is simply used to refer to different types of weight loss surgery.
These surgeries are primarily performed on the gastrointestinal section of the body by reducing the stomach to help patients eat less and lose weight fast.
Once you have Bariatric surgery, it will affect your digestion process. Any food or drink you consume will be absorbed faster by your intestines.
People who’ve had Bariatric surgery are more likely to exhibit extreme caffeine sensitivity symptoms after taking coffee.
You’ll notice that while you could drink several cups of coffee before your surgery, now you feel sick or extremely uncomfortable after taking one cup. It may even lead to a stint in the hospital or reverse any benefits you’ve gained from your surgery.
No Coffee after Bariatric Surgery
Doctors advise people who’ve undergone Bariatric surgery to avoid caffeinated drinks, especially coffee. Here are a few reasons.
- The polyphenols in coffee make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients such as iron and calcium from foods.
- It can trigger issues such as gastric reflux and diarrhea
- The diuretic effect of coffee may cause frequent urination and dehydration.
- The acid in caffeinated drinks can also irritate the stomach lining, causing you to vomit or bloat.
These are not problems you want to face after a procedure such as Bariatric surgery. After all, your body needs all the nutrients it can get to heal. It’s also time to rest and recuperate without straining.
You may also be surprised to note that coffee is an appetite stimulant. Anything that will increase your appetite is the last thing you want to take after bariatric surgery. That’s mainly because you are not allowed to eat foods in high quantities.
So what can you drink after Bariatric surgery to heal fast?
What Should You Do after Bariatric Surgery
Now that you know coffee and other caffeinated drinks are not good for you after Bariatric surgery, you may wonder what else to drink.
You’ve probably missed your coffee and can’t wait to get back to it. Maybe it’s the taste, or you need your daily caffeine hit.
How do you get these things while ensuring you don’t interfere with your healing process? Here are some suggestions.
1. Take Decaf
Decaf contains a much lower caffeine content than regular coffee. Many decaf coffees also taste just like coffee, with some tasting even better.
If you choose to drink decaf coffee after Bariatric surgery, ensure you limit your intake. 2 cups of decaf a day are enough to satisfy your coffee cravings.
Note that decaf coffee is also acidic, just like regular coffee. Therefore only start drinking it a month after your surgery or after you get your doctor’s consent.
2. Date Seed Coffee
You may also explore the fascinating world of coffee alternatives. These are beverages other than decaf that do not contain caffeine but can energize you.
Any of these beverages will also support your body in the healing process.
A good example is date seed coffee which is packed with antioxidants. It is made by grinding date seeds and brewing them the same way you brew regular coffee.
Date coffee is also a natural energizer that will give your system the same boost as coffee.
The Right Time to Start Drinking Coffee after Bariatric Surgery
Drinking coffee too soon after Bariatric surgery may cause dumping syndrome. It is a painful condition that develops in people who re – introduce foods such as sugar, caffeine, and salt back into their diet too fast after Bariatric surgery.
Dumping syndrome also called rapid gastric emptying is characterized by diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps. These symptoms exhibit themselves 10 – 30 minutes after eating.
You need to follow your diet plan after Bariatric surgery to avoid problems such as dumping syndrome.
Doctors advise recovering patients to minimize the size of their meals and limit the intake of beverages such as coffee. But what if you desire coffee and can’t stand coffee alternatives?
Well, doctors prohibit the intake of any caffeinated beverages such as coffee for one month after bariatric surgery.
Therefore, you can only start drinking coffee a month after your Bariatric surgery. Diluted black coffee is the best to start with.
Ensure you do not exceed 200 mg of caffeine daily; otherwise, you will suffer from caffeine sensitivity. Also, avoid adding sugar, creamer, flavored syrups, artificial sweeteners, or any other additives to your coffee.
You may suffer gastrointestinal discomfort or pain from some ingredients in these additives, such as sugar alcohols from sweeteners and lactose from creamer.
Conclusion
It’s important for people healing from Bariatric surgery to stick to their Bariatric diet plan.
Therefore, after your surgery, try other energizing and healthy foods such as fruits and water to keep your energy up. Protein-rich beverages such as Bariatric protein powder may also hasten your healing process.
We’ve also given you some coffee alternatives to try. You may find that you prefer them over coffee.
You may also engage in simple exercises that do not require you to expend a lot of energy, such as taking slow walks. The adrenaline rush and release of dopamine you experience outdoors will enhance your healing process and boost your energy levels.
If you can’t stay without coffee, consult your doctor before taking it after Bariatric surgery. He or she will decide whether your stomach has healed enough for you to drink it.
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