What Kind of Diet is Best Suited After a Lap Band Surgery?

Are you planning to undergo a lap band surgery any time soon? Have you gone through a lap band surgery? If the answer for both the questions is yes then for you taking care of the diet should be the utmost priority. When you undergo a gastric band surgery it relatively reduces the size of your stomach by closing a part of your stomach with a band and as a result, you feel full even after eating less. As a result, your calories intake is very less.

You shall always remember that after the lap band surgery diet will progress in stages. After the surgery for a month you will not be allowed to eat any solid food, then in the second month you will be recommended pureed food, later soft food is recommended. After 6 months post the surgery your diet can be normal consisting of healthy food. But, it is strongly recommended to consult your doctor as well as a dietician for after lap band surgery diet.

However, there is general information on what your diet should be like.

Liquid Diet

It is strongly recommended to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks after the surgery. You can drink liquids like water, herbal tea, broth, juices, and jellies. Make sure to drink slowly.

Slowly and steadily, you will be on a full liquid based diet. This is the point when you shall focus on having the right amount of protein, vitamins and other essential nutrients required by the body for proper functioning otherwise you may fall sick. You can also have a milk-based liquid diet; try to include broth, curd, soups, and natural juices in your diet at this point.

Pureed Diet

Pureed liquid diet shall be started around 3rd to 4th week after lap band surgery. At this point in time, you can eat pureed as well as blended food. However, at this point in time, you still need to avoid eating solid foods. 

Try to eat in fewer portions for about 4-5 times in a day this would put less pressure on the stomach. Eat slowly, drink lots of water but avoid drinking it before and after the meals.

Soft Food Diet

After 5-6 weeks you can now slowly move towards having a soft food diet. This diet primarily consists of food that can be mashed and is easily chewable. You can include rice, minced meats or chicken, eggs (boiled or scrambled), boiled or sautéed vegetables, fruits, and mashed potatoes.

Normal Diet

Six months after gastric band surgery you will be recommended to be on a normal diet however the time may vary from person to person depending upon your progress reports. You can slowly switch to a normal diet and have three meal plans that are nutritious, balanced and contains solid food as well. Make sure to eat your food slowly and chew it properly it will aid in better digestion. Do not overeat as it may result in discomfort and vomiting. 

Try to eat proteins as by now your body is more likely to be a deficit on proteins which are much needed by the body to function properly. Make sure to avoid eating snacks and sticks to the three meals also drink lots of water.

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions) For Lap Band Surgery

Before you head towards lap band surgery you need to know what is Lap-Band surgery. The Lap-Band is an adjustable silicone band placed around the top part of the stomach during a laparoscopic surgical procedure designed to restrict food intake. During the time of surgery, a small device called a port is placed under the skin of the abdomen. Normally, lap band surgery is less invasive than open incision surgery because it is performed by placing the instruments and a camera through several small incisions in your abdomen.  Lap band surgery risks are less and patients often discharged the same day.

These are few FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) that are listed below. These questions will help you get a clear picture.

• How does the Lap-Band Promote Weight Loss?

The lap band surgery restricts the amount of your food intake to your stomach and it also extends the feeling of being fully satisfied after eating a small amount of solid food.  The success of this procedure depends on how motivated you are to change your eating behaviors. You need to eat three small high protein and low carb meals daily. Eating too fast or too much might cause you vomiting. You should not take any fluid with meals because it will cause the stomach empty quickly. You should also avoid high-calories beverages such as non-diet sodas, fruit juice, milkshakes, and smoothies.

• How does the Surgery Differ from Gastric Bypass?

The lap-band procedure requires no stapling or cutting of the stomach and no surgery on the intestine. No intestine and no intestinal bypass are done so there is no change in the number of calories and nutrients absorbed in the intestine. Normally, lap band patients do not experience any dumping syndrome after consuming high-sugar foods or beverages. The tightness of the Lap-Band is adjusted to suit your individual situation and it can be removed if you want to.  The Lap-Band procedure takes about one hour and usually, you have to stay one night in the hospital.

• How much Weight can I Expect toLose?

A weight loss of 2-3 pounds a week is possible during the first year of your surgery and it also depends upon the person’s commitment to new eating habits and regular exercise.  Weigh loss usually is a slower rate after gastric bypass surgery. The average weight loss in lap band surgery was approximately 40% excess weight.

• What are the Risks?

Lap- Band surgery carries the same risks as other laparoscopic surgical procedure but the risk is much less than gastric bypass surgery.  If the band needs to be removed or replaced it also additional surgery but there are few problems that occur after lap band surgery. Surgical techniques have been improved to reduce the risk of complications.