Bariatric Common Nutritional Problems and Prevention Tips
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Cause: overeating
- Prevention tip: eat slowly, chew your food very well, and stop eating as soon as you feel full
- Chronic Malnutrition Problems
- Cause: Nutrients are absorbed differently following surgery
- Symptoms: fatigue and aching muscles; tingling feet, calves, or hands
- Prevention tip: eat a healthy diet and always take your vitamin and mineral supplements
- Lactose Intolerance
- Cause: digestive tract changes after surgery
- Symptoms: gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea after drinking milk or eating yogurt
- Treatment tip: switch to lactose-free dairy products, unsweet almond milk, unsweet soy, milk, etc. for a couple of months before reintroducing lactose-containing products
- Gas and Bloating
- Cause: digestive tract changes after surgery
- Prevention tip: eat slowly, avoid overeating, avoid carbonated beverages and drinking through straws. Make sure not to swallow air with your food. Try switching to lactose-free foods and beverages. Try using Gas-X chewable tablets.
- Temporary Hair Loss
- Cause: rapid weight loss and lack of protein in the diet
- Prevention tip: eat the recommended amount of protein for your given place in the post-op diet course
- Dehydration
- Cause: not drinking enough fluids or persistent vomiting
- Symptoms: dark and strong-smelling urine, dry mouth, headache, and fatigue
- Prevention tip: take frequent sips of fluids throughout the day
- Constipation
- Cause: reduced food, fluids, and fiber after surgery
- Prevention tip: drink at least 48oz of fluid per day, exercise daily, add a cap of Miralax to your morning beverage, add a fiber supplement (Metamucil or Benefiber) to your diet
Ainsley Freshour, MD, FACS, DABS
Robotic, Minimally Invasive, and Bariatric Surgeon
Board Certified General Surgeon and Surgical Intensivist
