My surgeon's diet guide says no more citrus fruit ever after gastric sleeve surgery. Does anyone know why? I know the juice isn't great because of the sugar, but is there a problem digesting the pulp or pith or something? I'll be sad to lose clementines.

VSG 1/20/17 HW: 325 CW: 305

I'd ask your surgeon or nutritionist for the reasoning - I'm guessing it has more to do with the seeds, which may get lodged in the crease of your new stomach, or the acidity of the fruit itself. I've not heard of citrus being banned for life.

Personally, I had fresh-squeezed OJ about 5 days after my surgery; it was about an ounce and it was my Christmas dinner, haha!

My surgeon has no such restriction on citrus after healing (3 months or so).

Just an aside, fresh OJ has less sugar than store-bought.

These are just speculations, ask the person with the PhD - good luck!

I would guess it is the acidity. But definitely ask to be sure.

I'm sure it varies like everything seems to do with approved diets. My nut said it is OK but remove the membrane around the individual sections.

I'm almost 2.5 years out, and I have citrus fruits and have no issues.

took me 18 mo to drink OJ its the only one that has less sugar ..

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I'm on day 2 post op barely and I put lime in my broth not thinking, no problems thus far though!

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I am a year post op and have small portions of citrus. I don't drink juice anymore but that is because of the "don't drink your calories" rule. It wouldn't make me sick. It is always odd how opinions of NUTs and Doctors differ so much. My guess it that fruit in general is full of fructose which is sugar and citrus is very acidic. I like clementines these days because they are the perfect portion for me.

Edited January 1, 20179 yr by ocgirl15

I am 3 months out and I eat pineapple and oranges and everything, I don't have any issues at all. Every doctors guidelines are different, talk to him about it.

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I am in the solid food stage (3), and I'm restricted to cooked/canned fruit only. Yuck. We got a huge shipment of citrus fruit for Christmas from family in Florida and I am not letting it go to waste. I've been eating grapefruit segments about twice a week with no problems. Definitely talk to your doctor.

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Ask your doctor about the reason behind his "rule". I eat oranges, tangelos, grapefruit and limes and drink OJ all the time with no issues. If it's the calories, that's something you can monitor and consume in moderation. If it's an acid thing, then unless you have GERD, you should still be able to do citrus at some point after your sleeve is completely healed. No different than coffee, tomato juice or other acidic foods. If it's anything else, I'd be interested to hear.

I have found that there are not any bariatric rules that can't be broken. You find what works for YOU and make those your own rules. This isn't a one size fits all and to universally restrict something forever for every case is not realistic or responsible medicine.

Ask your doctor about the reason behind his "rule". I eat oranges, tangelos, grapefruit and limes and drink OJ all the time with no issues. If it's the calories, that's something you can monitor and consume in moderation. If it's an acid thing, then unless you have GERD, you should still be able to do citrus at some point after your sleeve is completely healed. No different than coffee, tomato juice or other acidic foods. If it's anything else, I'd be interested to hear.

I have found that there are not any bariatric rules that can't be broken. You find what works for YOU and make those your own rules. This isn't a one size fits all and to universally restrict something forever for every case is not realistic or responsible medicine.

This! ^^^^^^

Newer post ops, you'll get this as time goes on. I abhor the 'absolutes' we hear all the time from surgeons and other post ops. This is supposed to be for the rest of our lives, not the restricted diets so many of us have grown to dispise. Just thinking about something being a 'never' makes me want to do it our of spite

Ever or just in the beginning phases, post surgery?

You probably don't want to drink your calories instead of eating them (OJ vs an orange).

Some fruit is more fattening than others; but in moderation it should be part of a normal diet.

Just thinking about something being a 'never' makes me want to do it our of spite

Oooo, me too! Tell me not to do something and I'll be the first in line! My daughter and now my oldest grandson have definitely inherited that characteristic.

I usually don't drink OJ because it's so surgery, but will eat oranges or the occasional piece of pineapple. Small Mandarin oranges/Clementine's are my best friend. They are perfect in size. Regular oranges I share with my kids as one slice is all I can have.

I am a sucker for a cara cara orange and I am always the person who uses lemon juice to deglaze everything! I have been severely missing the deglazing especially cuz the pop of citrus is just me in a nut shell.

I have been following my docs rules to a T which says no citrus until 3 months and I have been trying to track down the reason why to see if I can maybe just incorporate it into my cooking. Not sure if I should give it a whirl or not. Doesn't add that many calories.

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