Question:
Lemon- is it OK to have post RNY?

My doc says to avoid ALL citrus for at least one year after WLS because it is too acidic. I hear about people using lemon in their water or tea, or even having lemonade! What's the deal? Is having a slice of lemon worse than having lemon juice in your water? What about powdered lemonade?    — Michelle I. (posted on February 13, 2002)

February 13, 2002
Personally, I was able to go out to dinner with friends 9 days after my surgery. I was still restricted to liquids of course, and since they had nothing I could eat or drink, I requested water with a large lemon slice. I squeezed the lemon into the water and added one packet of SweetNLow, and was able to tolerate this with no problems. I must remind you though, that everyone is different. Some may tolerate it while others have trouble.
   — Monte N.

February 13, 2002
I put lemon in my water and tea from the first week and had no problems at all!
   — Tricia C.

February 13, 2002
I would imagine that the Lemon when squeezed in tea or water is diluted enough to drink....Mmmmm sounds yummy.
   — August S.

February 13, 2002
Once again it comes down to different Drs recommending different things:) My advice is always do what your Dr says. Having said that, I was allowed citrus on my liquid diet the first month, diluted half and half with water. Good luck
   — Becky K.

February 14, 2002
I have been drinking lemonade from about 2 weeks out. I have also had lemons with no problem. Strawberries on the other hand make me very sick. Good Luck Kelly
   — Kelly C.

February 14, 2002
I drink my Water with a slice of Lemon in it. I can hardly stand the taste of water anymore, but a lemon slice takes the minerally smell, and taste out of it so I can get my fluids in. I am 2 months Post op today, and have not had any problems from lemons.
   — sbinkerd1

February 14, 2002
I was told to avoid citrus for a while--not because of the acidity, but because of the pulp/rind possibly getting stuck. And I was told OJ was okay, but not to eat oranges themself for the pulp/rind reason. For the first few months after surgery I craved sharp tastes and used lemon juice a lot!
   — PT LawMom

March 4, 2002
I put lemon in my water all the time. It makes it taste better. I also like it in my green tea. I have not had any trouble with it. I am 3 weeks post op.
   — Theresa B.

May 9, 2002
I am a little over 4 weeks out and I use lots of lemon juice in my water - I absolutely hate the taste of water now and lemon juice (the more the better) makes it go down.
   — Rhonda W.

June 18, 2002
FYI: Not too many people know this but squeezing fresh lemon into hot or iced tea eliminates the caffeine. There is some chemical reaction between the citric acid and the caffeine that eliminates the amount of it in the tea. Interesting, huh!
   — Colleen H.

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