Eating and Drinking after Lap Band Surgery
After your
lap band surgery, you will need a new diet.
You should discuss this in detail with your lap band surgeon and/or
dietitian. They can help you learn and get used to the changes
in lifestyle and eating habits you need to make.
Note: The following information is meant to
be an overview. Your
lap band surgeon may give you specific instructions
just for you. Be sure you know the instructions your lap band doctor
wants you to follow.
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Important |
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It is very important to
follow the eating and drinking instructions
right from the start after the lap band operation. That's
because you must allow the new stomach structure
to heal completely and in the right position. It
may take a month or more for this to happen. |
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It is important, especially in the early
weeks, not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the lap band.
Vomiting can do this, so it is important not to vomit. Vomiting
can increase the chance of stomach tissue slipping up through
the lap band.
The first few days after the lap band operation, you can have an occasional sip of water or
suck on an ice cube. You shouldn't drink more than this and you
should take only a small amount at a time. Besides water you
should also choose liquids that have an adequate number of
calories. lb prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much.
The First One to Four Weeks
These drinks and very soft foods are recommended
for the first four weeks after the
lap band operation:
- clear broth or soup (with no vegetables or meat and not
creamy)
- low-fat yogurt
- milk (preferably skim)
- jello
- fruit juice or pureed soft fruit
As time goes on, you will slowly move to solid food based on
your lap band surgeon's and/or dietitian's advice. In the first
few weeks, you may be able to eat foods that may not be allowed
in your diet later because these foods may contain too many
calories. It is more important in the first few weeks to let
your stomach adjust to the lap band than it is to lose weight.
In general you should follow the advice of your dietitian about
these foods.
Four to Six Weeks
At this time you may start having slightly
thicker, creamier soups. This will help you switch gradually to more
solid foods later. Some products like bread, red meat, and rice may
still cause you problems. So it is better to eat softer foods that
are easier to digest. These might include foods such as moist white
meat (chicken, veal) and fish.
Chew all your food well. If you have dentures be
sure to cut your food into small pieces and to chew it thoroughly.
If you don't follow these precautions, you may have vomiting,
stomach irritation, and swelling. You could also have stomach
obstruction. If you have problems with solid foods and suffer from
nausea or vomiting, go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then
slowly add soft foods to help you transition to solid foods later.
Always ask for advice that is specific to your situation from your
lap band doctor or dietitian. Vomiting may increase the incidence of
lap band
slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch
above the band.
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