The decision to go in for lap band surgery affects diet, behavior and lifestyle. During the pre-operative period some surgeons demand weight loss up to 10% of body weight or no weight gain.
The size and condition of the liver prior to surgical placement of the band is of primary concern of the surgeon. An enlarged fatty liver is common among the morbidly obese patients and may obstruct the view or prevent the completion of the surgery. The specific diet is thus prescribed during the pre-operative period to shrink the size of the liver.
After the first pre-operative screening visit to the doctor certain food are immediately banned. They include bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, crackers, chips, or any other high calorie carbohydrates, snack food, cookies, cakes, pies, candy or sugar sweetened food.
The patient is required to follow some very simple rules of eating such as the food should be cut in small pieces and chewed thoroughly. Food should be eaten slowly and attention should be paid to signs of fullness. There should be no distractions while eating. There should be a gap of half an hour before and after the meal.
Two Weeks Before the Surgery
Just two weeks before the surgery, a diet of high protein drink and one meal a day is recommended. The number of drinks may vary. These protein drinks include Milk based High Protein-low sugar beverage such as Advance Shake (Walmart, GNC), Slim Fast (Hannafort), or Myoplex Lite or Carb Control. Another category of the protein drinks is Lactose free High Protein such as Isopure, Smartforme shakes which can be purchased online. . These are ready to drink formula and one can have it by mixing it in skimmed milk or water. The meal consists mainly of fruits and vegetables such as broccoli and lettuce. The vitamin supplements and loads of fluids are also essential.
One day before the surgery no solid food is allowed. The patient may have 5 Protein drinks and non-caloric liquids. On the day of surgery patients do not eat or drink unless specified by the doctor.
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