The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common type of bariatric surgery performed in the United States. Weight loss via the RYGB procedure involves bypassing the distal stomach, duodenum, and proximal jejunum to reduce nutrient absorption and gastric volume (16) (Figure 1). With RYGB surgery, the stomach is reduced to a capacity of 15 to 5 50 mL, which requires patients to consume small frequent meals and sip liquids throughout the day. (3) The general guidelines include the consumption of foods and liquids at separate times, allowing at least 30 minutes apart from each other. (7) In addition, the consumption of small meals should take at least 20 minutes to allow satiation and to foster thorough chewing. (7,18) Although such meal patterns help to decrease post-surgical complications, the patterns do increase the frequency of substrate exposure which may present an increased risk for dental caries. (19,20) Dehydration is also a common concern due to the reduced gastric …
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