Post-Bariatric Sip Navigating a Caffeine-Free & Fizz-Free Lifestyle

Navigating Your Post-Bariatric Lifestyle: Why Avoiding Carbonated Drinks Matters

Avoiding Carbonated Drinks Post-Surgery

After undergoing weight loss surgery, you might be advised to avoid soda and carbonated drinks to avoid issues like bloating and belching. While the belief that carbonation stretches the pouch after gastric sleeve surgery is a myth, the bubbles in these beverages can cause discomfort for bariatric patients. Embracing a post-bariatric lifestyle means understanding these potential discomforts and making appropriate beverage choices.

Types of Carbonated Beverages to Avoid

Carbonated beverages include sparkling water, regular and diet sodas, seltzer water, carbonated alcohol, etc. Basically, if your beverage fizzes or pops, it contains carbonation.

Recommendations from Your Surgeon or Dietician

Your Bariatric Surgeon/Dietician will likely recommend a period of abstaining from carbonation during the healing process. Though, mostly bariatric surgery programs suggest avoiding carbonation for life, primarily due to the added sugars and calories present in many carbonated drinks, which can lead to weight gain, and also to prevent discomfort associated with ingesting fizzy drinks.

Effects of Carbonation Post-Surgery

After gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery, a significant portion of your stomach is removed. Consuming carbonation can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable as your stomach fills with carbon dioxide. High sugar and calorie content in carbonated drinks, like sodas, can contribute to weight gain. Better to opt for non-carbonated alternatives like water, zero-calorie flavored water, protein shakes, plant-based milks like soy and almond milk, or decaf coffees and teas without added sugars.

The Impact of Caffeine and Alcohol on Your Post-Bariatric Lifestyle

Caffeine acts as a diuretic, potentially leading to dehydration and stomach ulcers with excessive consumption post-surgery. Dehydration is more common post-bariatric surgery due to limited fluid intake. Alcohol, being a diuretic, poses risks of rapid absorption and alcohol poisoning, especially considering the reduced stomach size post-surgery.

Tips for Consuming Alcohol Post-Surgery

If you choose to consume alcohol in your post-bariatric lifestyle, opt for lower sugar options, avoid sugary mixes, and fizzy alcoholic beverages like Beer and Champaign, limit your intake, and go slow to minimize side effects and risks. Remember, being overly restrictive on your diet can have negative effects, so choose wisely, follow the expert advice, and enjoy in moderation!!

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Family Support is of Prime Importance Post-Bariatric Surgery

Supporting a Loved One Post-Bariatric Surgery: A Guide to Encouragement and Care

The journey of Bariatric surgery from start to end can be a long and arduous one, but it is worth all the effort. Sometimes, our loved ones can be discouraging or hypercritical about weight loss surgery, or else, they may say that it is a shortcut to weight loss because they think weight loss is assured post-bariatric surgery. They may overstress about possible complications because of a stray incident that they heard from someone. Bariatric candidate needs all the confidence and support to help them get to where they desire to be.

There are many things you can do to help your loved ones feel supported, here are a few suggestions:

Show interest in knowing more about Bariatric surgery. The more you know about the surgery and the lifestyle changes needed post-surgery, the more helpful you can be. You can assist them when planning their aftercare, meals, workout routines, etc. You should offer to go along with them for their follow-up with the doctor and the dietician.
Your loved one should not feel as if you are “judging or criticizing” them because they have chosen to get the bariatric surgery done. They are taking this big decision knowing all the risks involved so, respect their choice.
They should not feel like they are the only one who has to eat in a particular way and the one making healthy choices which is not easy for them. It is very difficult when trying to make healthier food choices and the people around you are eating extremely appetizing food that smells good. Some people can’t resist food and may not want to see others eat in front of them. So, if the food is out of sight, it will be out of mind.
Apart from supporting them emotionally, you could also support them in preparing their meals and doing grocery shopping. You may also give them a commitment in joining them during their exercise regime or other fun activities.
Be careful what you say after surgery; avoid making comments about weight post-bariatric surgery. Also, sometimes friends and family members start acting like the “food police”. They observe and find fault in eating habits because they want to be of help. Try avoiding this, instead motivate the person and recommend them other healthy options or activities.

Doing things together as a family is a great way to bond, stay motivated, and also have fun. Look forward together!