Development of ARFID Following Bariatric Surgery: A Case Study

A case study of a man in his early 40s who developed Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) following gastric bypass surgery approximately six months earlier. The client presented to The Emily Program with significant weight loss and limited dietary variety due to adverse experiences with early dumping syndrome, reactive hypoglycemia, and a history of esophageal strictures. The client avoided carbohydrate-containing foods, maintained rigid food rules, and experienced anxiety and distress around mealtimes. Key nutrition interventions included gradual meal plan increases to support nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration, repeated exposure to fear foods such as desserts and starches, and nutrition and therapeutic counseling to improve mealtime distress tolerance. More research is needed on the development of ARFID following bariatric surgery. Although increasing GLP-1 use and declining bariatric surgery rates may limit future research in this area, greater provider awareness of disordered eating behaviors after bariatric surgery could support earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Materials Available

• Poster

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Project Type(s): MNT Concentration Clinical Poster

Author(s): Katie Allen

Program(s): Master of Science, RDN Training

Year: 2026

Adviser(s):

• Michelle Averill