Gastric sleeve surgery helps individuals achieve significant and lasting weight loss, but the procedure itself is only the beginning of a lifelong transformation. Gastric sleeve surgery involves making a drastic change to the size of the stomach, means that individuals who have had the procedure will need follow a post-surgery diet to experience and maintain the weight loss results.
As one of the more seemingly harmless foods (and not necessarily unhealthy), there’s been some debate to whether or not it’s safe to eat popcorn after gastric sleeve surgery.
The post gastric sleeve diet
After undergoing the gastric sleeve procedure, individuals will be instructed to follow a specific diet consisting of liquids at first, with it gradually shifting to include solid foods over time. Naturally, this means that eating popcorn right after gastric sleeve surgery is out of the question.
There are two main reasons for the restrictiveness of the post-op diet — to kickstart the process of weight loss in the body, and to allow the tender gut and stomach area to heal safely and comfortably.
In the first 1-2 weeks following the surgery, the diet will consist of liquids only. Foods like thin soup or broth, sugar-free gelatin, and water will make up the majority of what you can consume, alongside protein supplements to give your body the nutrients it needs.
At the 2-4 week stage, you may progress on to pureed foods such as strained soup, mashed potatoes, and yoghurt. The focus for food will still be on protein rich sources.
Between 4-6 weeks after the procedure, the stomach may be healed enough to handle soft foods like thoroughly broiled vegetables, fish, or chicken. Only soft textured foods are allowed — tough or chewy foods that will require more digestion will still be out of reach.
At the final stage of 6 weeks and beyond, most types of solid foods will finally be able to be introduced back into the diet. However, this greater freedom in your diet can often make it difficult to avoid the foods that you were used to eating prior to surgery, like popcorn.
Is it okay to eat popcorn after gastric sleeve surgery?
Unfortunately, eating popcorn after gastric sleeve surgery is generally advised against by nutritionists and bariatric surgeons.
This isn’t really because popcorn is an unhealthy snack — in fact, most people consider popcorn to be a ‘healthy’ snack option since it is relatively low in calories, high in fibre, and low in fat.
So, what’s the problem with eating popcorn after gastric sleeve?
The problem is that more often than not, popcorn comes with toppings or coatings — these additions are what make them risky for someone who has undergone gastric sleeve surgery.
Risks of eating popcorn after gastric sleeve
Dumping syndrome
In addition to the sugary or savoury topping, popcorn on its own consists mainly of carbohydrates which often converted to a form of sugar in the body. Eating too much popcorn in one sitting can lead to something called “dumping syndrome”.
Dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from the stomach into the small intestine too rapidly, resulting in feelings of bloating or nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, dizziness, and an accelerated heart rate. Dumping syndrome is a condition that gastric surgery patients are especially prone to, due to the reduced size of their new stomach.
Dehydration
Popcorn is a dry snack that can lead to symptoms of dehydration as it absorbs moisture from the body. It’s hard to notice these symptoms as well, due to the fact that they happen gradually.
Dehydration is already a risk for those who have undergone gastric surgery as the stomach can has limited space for both food and water, causing the consumption of popcorn to have a high risk of triggering it.
Blockage in the digestive system
As popcorn absorbs water in the stomach, it can expand to larger sizes and potentially cause blockages in the digestive system. Large chunks of popcorn that have not been sufficiently chewed can damage in the sensitive stomach pouch and cause issues that range from discomfort to severe complications.
Considerations for eating popcorn after gastric sleeve
The safer option is to avoid popcorn all together, at least until you’ve become very accustomed the new diet and smaller portion sizes, and even then, it’s very important to be cautious and mindful of how you eat snacks like popcorn.
If you’re set on eating popcorn, it’s advisable to keep these considerations in mind to minimise the potential risks that come along doing so.
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Stick so small servings – avoid eating the entire bag in one sitting by setting a small portion aside for yourself.
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Skip additional toppings – stay away from flavoured popcorn or those that come with butter or caramel.
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Choose low-fat popcorn – look for popcorn with low-fat options in stores.
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Speak to your doctor – always check with your nutritionist or doctor on whether popcorn can be included in your diet without causing any issues.
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Remember your weight loss goal – while it’s not a crime to indulge once in a while, keep in mind the long term goal of weight loss, which is the reason for the surgery.
While popcorn isn’t the worst option for a light snack, there are many other alternative snacks that can help satisfy your cravings without having to worry about the issues that can come with eating popcorn.
If you’re looking for a nutritious snack, try a mix of nuts and seeds instead. Nuts are a great source of protein and can deliver the crunchy texture you’re looking for. For a savoury alternative, try cottage cheese or ricotta cheese for a creamy and satisfying snack.
At Central Coast Surgery, we offer effective gastric sleeve surgery for those who are looking for a transformative way to achieve their ideal weight and improve their quality of life. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help you meet your weight goals, or learn more about the cost of gastric sleeve surgery.