After Surgery Follow Up: Lap Band Surgery

Nutrition & Fluid Intake after Lap Band Surgery

1. What can I eat and when?

Day 1-7: You will follow a liquid only phase, This means juice, jello, yogurt chicken or beef broth only.

Day 8-14: You will be able to move to thicker liquids like pudding, cream soups, egg drop soup, cream of rice or wheat, blended soups, soft cooked fruits, mashed potatoes, refried beans. (Read Our Guide to Lap Band Surgery Dieting)

Day 15-21: You can now eat solid food but slowly progress from fish, chicken (only if moist and tender)cooked vegetables to more hard food. Day 22-30: You can now eat most solid foods but avoid soft doughy breads, dry, tough meats such as pork, chicken if firm or steak, raw vegetables.

2. How much liquid should I be consuming during a 24 hour period?

At least one-two liters every day.

3. If you are not able to consume as much liquid as recommended by your lap band surgeon, What should you do?

Start here by measuring the amount of liquid you intake for 24 hours, then if you calculate less than one liter that day you should contact your lap band surgeon's office.

4. How soon can I start eating solids?

No less than day 15 after your lap band surgery.

5. What types of solids are suggested after day 21?

Soft solids like fish, chicken (if tender and moist), soft cooked vegetables & fruits.

6. What types of foods should I avoid after banding?

Nuts, soft breads, carbonated beverages, high calorie foods, gassy foods, and sticky foods.

7. What if I become pregnant shortly after banding?

It is best not to conceive during your rapid weight loss phase although should you become pregnant notify your obstetrical doctor that you have the lap band in place and you will need close pregnancy follow up for nutrition.

Physical Activity after Lap Band Surgery

1. When can I return to work?

Usually although depending on your physical requirements of your job within a few days of arriving home.
You should not lift more than 10-15 pounds for at least four weeks later.

2. When can I begin an exercise routine again?

You can usually start walking up to thirty minutes per day after just one week. Very strenuous exercise is not recommended until after 4-6 weeks post operatively.

3. When can I start driving an automobile again?

It is usually no problem just a few days after surgery unless you are traveling a long distance.

4. When can I resume normal sexual activity?

Within one week after surgery although much depending factor is how you are feeling. Of course use judgement on this and no real strenuous activity until after one month post operatively.

5. When can I begin bathing & swimming again?

It is best to shower for the first four weeks after your surgery and wash normally with soap. Swimming can be more strenuous and should be avoided for at least one month after surgery.

6. Will I need to have loose skin removed later?

Much of this will be individual and can depend on your age, amount of weight you lose, and your desire to want cosmetic procedure after a few years.

7. How long should I wait before lifting weights or doing sit-ups?

You should wait 4-6 weeks after surgery to begin a weight lifting routine again and about the same for sit-ups.

Pain Tolerance, Nausea and Incisions after Surgery

1. How much pain should I be in after surgery?

The first 24 hours you will feel some gas pains in your shoulder and chest areas which can be uncomfortable although remember the sooner you become mobile and walk the gas will dissipate better. You may also feel a bit of stinging around your port incision nothing that pain medication cannot control.

2. What type of pain should I expect is normal?

Some pain in the shoulder blades and chest area, and possibly a slight stinging feeling around the port incision mainly but your pain tolerance can be very individual.

3. Should I expect to have any oozing or bleeding from my incision sites?

It is normal to have some oozing or bleeding usually from the port site and you may have to change your bandages a few times after surgery. Although after about a week you should not see any bleeding or oozing. If you notice this after day 8 please contact Dr. Sanchez.

4. If you are experiencing more pain than we have described, what should I do?

Just go back to taking the Dolac that we gave you after surgery as needed for pain every four to six hours. If this is still not enough you can take one 500 mg Tylenol every 6-8 hours as needed. For anything else contact your surgeon's office.

5. What if I suffer from nausea or vomiting after arriving home?

Depending on whether you are vomiting or not you may need to visit your regular Doctor there at home to get a prescription for anti-nausea medication. Keep a close on eye this and obtain the help of your Doctor there if needed.

6. If I suffer from acute vomiting after surgery can I have a slippage of the band?

Of course this is possible although very rare that is why it is so important that if you are feeling a lot of nausea before leaving Monterrey you should notify your surgeon so that maybe he can send you home with medication to treat this before your nausea turns to this.

7. When should I remove the bandages off the incision to bath?

You should not remove them at all, they will remain on during your bath and they should fall off on their own.

8. How much swelling or bruising should be expected after surgery?

There is usually moderate swelling on the port site, and some mild swelling on the other incisions as well. This should subside after a week or two. There can be some bruising on the incision sites although it is more common on the port site than anything. If you feel it is more than normal you should apply a warm compress for 20 minutes several times that day. If you are very concerned about this you should contact your surgeon's office in Monterrey.

Surgical Complication

To see the full list of possible side effects from Gastric Banding read our guide.

1. How will I know if I have a slippage of the band?

If the upper pouch of the stomach slips and the larger stomach slips up you may not notice any symptoms and it may go undetected until you have an adjustment under x-ray . If your band slips the opposite way you can experience some difficulty in swallowing liquids and food. It is not difficult to determine and is also very rare with the techniques used by your surgeon to implant the band.

2. Can the upper pouch of my new stomach become enlarged?

Yes it can, should you suffer from a slippage of the band, upper pouch dilation. And even from eating solid foods too soon after surgery, or acute vomiting. This again is very rare and less than 3% of patients experience this complication. Should you suspect this in any case contact your surgeon anytime.

3. What can happen to the new pouch if I begin eating solids too soon after surgery?

In this please remember you have to put some effort into this procedure. Do not eat any solids at all until day 22 after surgery. Although it is still rare you can have the occurrence of a slippage of the band if you begin solids too soon.

4. What if I form an infection at the port site?

If you believe you may have an infection at any of your incision sites contact your surgeon right away or go to your local Doctor as soon as possible. This will need treatment of anti-biotics right away.

5. Does the band contain any latex in it?

None what so ever, it is latex free and safe to implant even if you suffer from an extreme latex allergy. Being in a hospital setting will need to be determined by the Doctor of course.

6. In case of a medical emergency can the band be removed?

The band can be removed laparoscopically in usually less than an hour although can depend on the skills of the surgeon whom is doing the procedure.

7. If I ever suffer from a complication that is surgical what should I do?

In this case you should go to your local hospital and tell the attending emergency Doctor whom did your procedure so that your surgeon can be contacted and possibly give advise on the surgeon who will be operating on you. Although it is very rare that an emergency complication can arise from this procedure and actually patients if they have one usually fly back to your surgeon whom they are most comfortable with to have the complication corrected.

Medications

1. What medications should not be taken after the banding?

The most common drugs known to be associated with gastritis are: Analgesics, Anti-inflammatory, Aspirin, and alcohol. Mainly Naproxen, Ibuprofen, and Drugs containing Codeine. These medications should be avoided if you have the band. There are many other brand names to avoid check with your regular Doctor before taking these types of medication for they will have a better overall view of your general health.

2. What about taking Vitamins?

It is not necessary for you to take any vitamins the first three months after banding although if you prefer to we do not discourage you. Many of us use chewable vitamins for convenience sake.

Band Adjustments

1. How do I know when it is the right time for an adjustment?

Adjustments should not be done before six weeks pot-operatively. If when you reach six weeks you notice very little restriction in eating with solids and you have also noticed no weight loss for a few weeks then it is time you obtain an adjustment.

2. How will I know if my band is in the proper position and is working properly?

It is best to do your first adjustment under fluoroscopy, that way the Doctor or Technician can view the placement of your band.

3. Where can I go closer to my home to obtain a Doctor do my adjustments for me?

If possible it is always best to return to Dr. Zapata - your fills are free for life and you need only cover the cost of the fluoroscopy, your transportation and the hotel if you are staying overnight. If you would like to stay in the U.S., R4AC will provide you with an extensive database of U.S. doctors who may do your adjustments.

4. What if the first adjustment does not restrict me enough?

It is best if you give the adjustment time at least a few weeks to see if you are losing before you consider going in for another one.

5. What is it the right time to consider having a second adjustment to your band?

When you are eating too much and not losing any weight or dropping in clothing size.

6. How much fluid should the band be filled with during the first adjustment?

This is very individual and must be done under fluoroscopy to get a fill that is appropriate for you and your band.

7. Can my band be over adjusted?

Yes it is possible although unlikely. This is why it is always better to use x-ray for a more precise adjustment the first time.

8. How many years can my band be adjusted for?

This is hard for anyone to tell even the band manufacturer due to the fact that band has only been available for ten years. There are people whom have the original Swedish band for twenty years now and still can have their band adjusted.

9. Can my band be adjusted without x-ray?

Yes it is very possible although we always recommend the x-ray to provide the patient with better restriction and a longer lasting fill.

10. If I suffer from reflux, what should I do?

Depending on the severity mostly it is treated without medication like Prilosec, Pepcid, Tums, and if this does not resolve the symptoms you may need to take a little fluid out of the band until it resides.

11. Will I be able to see the port from outside the skin?

No you will not it is buried deep below your fat.

12. How noticeable is the port under the skin?

It is usually not ever seen, maybe felt if you push down into the fat over the port. Unless you become extremely thin at this time you might see a little lump under the skin.

13. What if the port cannot be accessed by the Doctor I choose to my adjustments in the U.S.?

This is very rare because they will usually due an x-ray to find the port if they are having any problem to access it. Although if they still cannot it is best to have the Doctor contact your surgeon to inquire what they may be doing incorrect. If in doubt ask the expert.

14. How many adjustments can be expected in the first two years after the surgery?

The normal is anywhere from 3-5 adjustments during the first two years although this can vary depending on the person and the band.

15. Can the port be damaged if the adjustments are done too frequently?

Usually no as long as they use a huber tip needle which is what the manufacturer recommends.

16. What if the Doctor I choose to do my adjustments in the U.S. for me is not familiar with the band I have?

It would be best if you ask the Doctor to contact your surgeon directly. You can also take him your operative report which you are given at the time of the surgery.

Where can I go in my area to get an adjustment?

You may return to Monterrey, if you desire, or R4AC will provide you with an extensive database of U.S. doctors who may do your adjustments.