Ulcers after gastric bypass (the no-no list)

The "don't list" after gastric bypass surgery is pretty long.

Don't drink out of a straw
Don't drink with your meal
Don't drink soda/carbonated beverages
Don't eat sugar/bread
Don't chew gum
Don't drink coffee
Don't take aspirin
Don't drink alcohol
Don't overeat
Don't snack

Blah blah blah

How many of these rules do most of us end up breaking?  Well, today I want to talk about why we shouldn't break a few of these rules especially. 

After gastric bypass surgery, the acid in our stomach is severely reduced, leaving our stomach lining slightly more vulnerable and potentially at a higher risk for ulcers.  Although I have read conflicting reports (shocker, huh) about what actually does and does not cause an ulcer, there are a few items I'd like to specifically discuss today.  There are different types of ulcers.  I won't bore you with a medical lesson (although you can read the Mayo Clinic's list of potential complications HERE, if you're curious).  Let's just talk generalities (especially since everyone is on their own journey). 

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory)

Aleve (naproxen), aspirin, Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen) are all no-no's after gastric bypass.  Tylenol (acetaminophen) is really all we are safely supposed to be able to take.  I don't know about you, but Tylenol only fixes my headaches, not my body aches. 

From ObesityHelp.com:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Excedrin and Celebrex, are used primarily to treat inflammation, fever and mild to moderate pain from headaches, arthritis, sports injuries and menstrual cramps. Taking NSAIDs after gastric bypass surgery significantly increases the risk of developing marginal ulcers at the connection between the stomach pouch and the Roux limb. Thus, gastric bypass patients should avoid these medications.

Side note: Also a good point from this article, which some patients might not realize, we shouldn't be taking time-release capsules:

The shorter intestinal length after gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery can make extended-release drug preparations less effective. Some extended-release drugs include antidepressants (Wellbutrin XL), anxiolytics and sleep medications (Xanax XR), and anti-hypertensives (Toprol XL, Verapamil XL). Because these formulations are intended to be absorbed over 2-12 hours, the pills may pass through the gastrointestinal tract before absorption is complete.

This same principle also applies to delayed-release and enteric- or film-coated pills, which are coated with a material that prevents the medication from being released until the pill moves through the stomach to the small intestine. (Sometimes the abbreviation “EC” is added to the name of a drug to indicate that it is enteric-coated.) Immediate-release dosage forms should be substituted, although they may need to be taken more often.

Now, that ALL being said...I take Aleve.  Almost daily (and multiple pills).  I didn't touch the stuff for six years, but when I started having hip problems three years ago, I gave in.  I make sure I take it with food, and I haven't (knock on wood) had any issues yet.

And now an even bigger issue (in my eyes).  Now that I have been told I have heart inflammation, my doctor has prescribed a baby aspirin.  Daily.  That one scares me more than the Aleve.  I don't know why.  So I take my baby aspirin in the morning with food.  And I make sure I don't take Aleve until later in the day after I get to work (now that I've swapped hip pain out for foot pain thanks to my heel spur).  I don't want to over-do it. 

Caffeine

I have never been a coffee drinker, so I will admit, this one was no big deal for me.  Or so I thought.  I have, however, in the last few years, picked up a Vitamin Water habit.  The yellow Energy Vitamin Water has a little bit of caffeine in it.  I drink it because it's yummy, not because I think I'm getting vitamins. And it isn't carbonated and has way fewer calories than soda anyway.  A bottle supposedly has about a quarter of the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.  Guess what, it's enough that I get headaches when I don't drink it now.  How did I get a caffeine monkey on my back?!

Anyway, according to LiveStrong, there are a few reasons not to drink caffeine: 

According to Scott J. Belsley, M.D., a board-certified surgeon and robotic surgery researcher, you should be cautious in drinking caffeine -- whether in coffee or other beverages -- following weight-loss surgeries. Caffeine is the subject of a lot of research, much of which is contradictory. Caffeine is known to increase stomach acid, causing indigestion and possibly leading to an ulcer. Even decaffeinated coffee can upset your stomach. Some studies suggests coffee increases your risk for a gastrointestinal bacterial infection called H pylori, as well as acid reflux, but the research has been inconclusive. Caffeine is a known diuretic that may slow healing. You need to control fluid intake and output after your surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, which recommends waiting a bit after surgery before adding coffee or caffeinated beverages to your diet.
Most reports I've read that say drinking coffee isn't the worst thing you could do post-surgery, say to wait at least six months to start that habit back up.

Alcohol

This is a biggie.  Not just from a potential ulcer standpoint.  Alcohol is a problem for those who may be switching addictions.  Before we get back to ulcers, you may want to read up on some of these articles relating to alcohol and gastric bypass:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57455416-10391704/gastric-bypass-surgery-may-double-a-patients-risk-for-alcohol-problems/

Researchers believe gastric bypass surgery also changes how the body digests and metabolizes alcohol; some people who've had the surgery say they feel alcohol's effects much more quickly after drinking less, compared to before the procedure. The study suggests that may cause problem drinking.

http://www.facs.org/news/jacs/gastricbypass0311.html

The results showed peak BAC percentage of patients after drinking five ounces of red wine was significantly higher post-operation. BAC was 0.024 percent at pre-operation and 0.059 percent (p = 0.0003) at three months. Tested again at six months post-operation, the patients’ BAC was 0.088 percent (p = 0.0008) which is more than the legal driving limit of .08 percent. Additionally, it took 49 minutes for patients to reach a zero BAC prior to their operation compared with 61 minutes at three months and 88 minutes at six months post-operation.

Ok, but let's get back to those ulcers.  Here is a blurb that sums it up pretty nicely in one paragraph:

Alcohol is basically a type of sugar and it slows down a patient’s weight loss and may cause dumping syndrome. It contains lots of calories and is not nutritional. After surgery, alcohol enters the blood stream more quickly than before surgery. The intoxicating effects of alcohol occur sooner than before surgery and after smaller amounts are ingested. A patient who has had gastric bypass surgery absorbs FOUR times as much alcohol from a given drink versus before surgery. It is best to avoid drinking alcohol for at least six months after surgery, since it can be irritating to the stomach pouch and cause ulcers. You may choose to drink alcohol after the six month mark, but only do so on special, rare occasions, and NEVER drive within 24 hours of having an alcoholic beverage.

[Empahsis added.]

I realize this was a long one and I apologize for that.  I know many of us push the boundaries after gastric bypass/weight loss surgery.  Just be aware of which boundaries are less "push-able" than others.  If you have any information that you think might be helpful regarding this topic, please feel free to share in a comment below.  Thanks!