How to manage your lap band diet.
Posted by Dr. David Ward at 3/22/2011 8:48 AM 
Categories: Gastric Banding
Tags: lap band diet weigh loss bariatric surgery diets banding
Categories: Gastric Banding
Tags: lap band diet weigh loss bariatric surgery diets banding
Every physician has different programs for post banding diets. I will outline what I find works well with my patients. Initially I do not fill the band with much fluid at the time of surgery. This reduces the chances of vomiting and therefore the risk of having the band slip.
The day of surgery you stay on clear liquids. The day following surgery starts a soft diet consisting of foods like oatmeal, soups, soft fish, cottage cheese. After one week the diet changes to regular food for lunch and dinner but the amount should be 3-4 oz of your protein, i.e. meat or fish, and 1/2cup of salad or vegetables. Breakfast should be a protein drink with at least 30gms of protein and no more than 200 calories.
At the one month visit the band is usually adjusted unless you feel full with the present amount of food and you have lost at least 4 lbs in a month. The key to success is filling the band to allow the small meals to fill you up. If you always over eat with every adjustment, you will have excessive nausea and vomiting. This leads to constantly adding and subtracting fluid from the band which reduces weight loss over time.
Remember the band acts as a restriction device only. It makes your stomach into an hour glass. Just like an hour glass liquids always pass easily, and rocks do not. Chew your food well and eat slowly. Avoid high calorie liquids or foods that become liquid once eaten.
The day of surgery you stay on clear liquids. The day following surgery starts a soft diet consisting of foods like oatmeal, soups, soft fish, cottage cheese. After one week the diet changes to regular food for lunch and dinner but the amount should be 3-4 oz of your protein, i.e. meat or fish, and 1/2cup of salad or vegetables. Breakfast should be a protein drink with at least 30gms of protein and no more than 200 calories.
At the one month visit the band is usually adjusted unless you feel full with the present amount of food and you have lost at least 4 lbs in a month. The key to success is filling the band to allow the small meals to fill you up. If you always over eat with every adjustment, you will have excessive nausea and vomiting. This leads to constantly adding and subtracting fluid from the band which reduces weight loss over time.
Remember the band acts as a restriction device only. It makes your stomach into an hour glass. Just like an hour glass liquids always pass easily, and rocks do not. Chew your food well and eat slowly. Avoid high calorie liquids or foods that become liquid once eaten.
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