Bariatric Surgery: Why Coffee Must Be Avoided

For those who are morbidly obese, and cannot live a normal life, Bariatric surgery seems to be the only option they have, to lose weight and gain control over their lives. Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic surgery. This surgery does not enhance a person’s looks and appeal though after weight loss that may change. It is a surgery that can be life threatening to a morbidly obese individual.

All about Bariatric surgery

Bariatric is a word derived from Greek words that mean weight treatment. Bariatric surgery is essentially is a weight treatment surgery. This Bariatric surgery is also called Gastric Bypass Surgery. Bariatric surgeries are surgeries performed on the gastrointestinal regions of the body.

There are different types of Bariatric surgeries that can be performed. These can be performed with the help of general anesthesia or through laparoscopic instruments. There are two types of Bariatric surgeries. The first being restrictive Bariatric surgery like the lap band surgery. This is when the surgeon decreases the size of the stomach by using a band or staples. This results in restricting the amount of food that the person can consume. The second type of surgery is a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive methods. The roux – en – Y gastric bypass surgery is of this type, where the size of the stomach is reduced and at the same time a part of the small intestine is removed to restrict the amount of food and calories absorbed by the body.

Risks and Dangers

Like every surgery, this surgery too has its risks. But, this surgery can be more dangerous as the person undergoing this surgery is obese and that is a risk in itself. Questions that arise are whether or not you should do the surgery and if the benefits of the surgery are greater than the risks of not getting the surgery done. If the person has a BMI of more than 40, 50 or 60 then they are suffering from morbid obesity, super obesity or end stage obesity. The chances of fatalities with this kind of obesity are high. Bariatric surgery is the best option to improve the lifespan of the person. The risks of the surgery are nothing compared to the risks of being morbidly obese. There are complications that can arise out of the surgery. Research shows that 4 out of 10 patients who have had this surgery have complications in the six-month period following this surgery. Some patients even need to be hospitalized again as the complications can get very serious.

Dietary restrictions – especially coffee

There are lots of restrictions on diet after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. These restrictions have to be followed with discipline as they can affect the body and cause complications. Certain foods cannot be eaten as they affect the intestine and the stomach. Foods have to be consumed in small quantities as the size of the stomach has been reduced. Consumption of beverages and water has to be disciplined. Drinking sufficient amount of water is necessary as dehydration of the body can cause complications. Carbonated or caffeinated beverages like coffee and colas must be avoided in the first six months of the surgery and later has to be taken in very small quantities, it at all. This is because caffeine increases gastric acids, which causes heartburn and gastro esophageal reflux. Caffeine also increases urine production, which can lead to dehydration of the body. This surgery has a lot of complications. Think it over before opting for it. Diet has to be taken care of after the surgery, especially the intake of coffee and other caffeine products.

Sources:

Boekema PJ, et al. Coffee and gastrointestinal function: facts and fiction. A review. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1999; 230:35-39.

Elliot K. Nutritional considerations after Bariatric Surgery. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly. 2003; 26(2): 133-138.