Weight Loss Tips, Success Stories and Expert Advice

Last year we published an article on the concept of food cues—what they are and how to recognize them. In case you missed it, food cues are triggers that cause the desire to eat, whether you’re hungry or not. They come in almost every form, including visual, olfactory, auditory, and emotional. This includes everything from boredom to the smell of a cooking burger, to neon signs advertising fast food.

Food cues are everywhere. Unrecognized and unmanaged, they can lead to mindless eating, which, in turn, can lead to weight gain. In this article, we turn out attention to strategies to help you manage your food cues and keep them from sabotaging your healthy weight loss.

Your personal food cues

The first step to developing strategies to combat your food cues is understanding your personal triggers. Not everyone responds to food cues in the same way. Wherever you are in your weight-loss journey, spend a few weeks analyzing your desires to eat and identifying what triggers those urges.

Maybe driving past your favorite café cues you to stop for a sugary coffee and pastry. Maybe watching a movie automatically cues you to pop some popcorn, even if you just ate dinner. Or maybe, your emotions play a role in your desire to eat, with negative feelings triggering you to reach for a snack. Whatever your personal food cues are, identifying them and understanding their causes will make it much easier to develop strategies for managing them.

How to overcome food cues

Eliminate the food cue

For some food cues, it may be possible to avoid, replace, or even entirely eliminate the cue. If seeing that café on your way to work is a trigger, take a different route to eliminate the cue. If having an unhealthy treat around the house cues you to eat, stop buying the food. It’s also shown that people tend to eat more when they use larger dishes—adapt that food cue by using smaller plates and bowls for your meals.

Wait, water, walk

The 3 Ws are a fantastic strategy for managing food cues:

Wait: set a timer for ten minutes. Sometimes waiting out the urge to eat will allow the trigger to fade on its own.
Water: pour a glass of water. Thirst can feel very similar to hunger, so some extra hydration may quell the food cue.
Walk: go for a short walk. Physical activity is a great distractor from hunger and can help clear the urge from your mind.

Hunger cues, not food cues

If you’re still unsure whether you’ve been triggered by a food cue or if you’re actually hungry, turn to the physical signs of hunger. Food cues trigger “emotional hunger,” as opposed to “physical hunger.” As the name implies, physical hunger has physical signs you can recognize, not just psychological urges. These signs include:

Empty-feeling or “growling” stomach
Headache or light-headedness
Irritability
Inability to focus
Fatigue or low energy
Shakiness or weakness

Healthy weight loss with the Lap-Band® Program

Along with diet and exercise, understanding and managing your personal food cues are vital parts of your weight-loss journey. However, for some people, healthy eating habits and exercise may not be enough to reach their desired weight. If you have a BMI of 40—or 30 with at least one obesity-related comorbidity—and have a history of unsuccessful weight-loss via diet and exercise, the Lap-Band® Program may be your next step to a healthier lifestyle.

The Lap-Band is an adjustable gastric band that is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This sections off a smaller stomach “pouch,” which helps control your feelings of hunger, as well as the amount of food you can consume. The Lap-Band Program features a faster recovery than other bariatric procedures, as well as sustainable, long-lasting weight loss. Learn more about how the Lap-Band Program works, or find more tips for weight-loss success on our blog.

Drinking enough water should be a priority for everyone, but for people who’ve had weight-loss surgery, like the Lap-Band® Procedure, hydration is especially important. Dehydration is one of the most common reasons bariatric patients return to the hospital after their surgery. However, getting the proper amount of water can be difficult for bariatric patients who are still adjusting to their smaller stomach size and new eating habits. Whether you’re a recent Lap-Band patient or just beginning your weight-loss journey, try these tips for staying hydrated.

How dehydration affects your health and weight loss

Not only can dehydration negatively affect your health, but drinking the proper amount of water can actually aid in your weight loss. Dehydration leads to fatigue, leaving you with less energy to exercise and making you more likely to make unhealthy food choices. Water is instrumental in almost every bodily function, including metabolizing food. Low water levels means your digestion rate is slowed, which can increase your difficulty in losing weight.

Water acts as a natural appetite suppressant, causing the feeling of fullness. Hunger and thirst also feel very similar, so before you reach for a snack, try drinking a glass of water to see if it reduces your hunger.

Staying hydrated after the Lap-Band procedure

During the Lap-Band procedure, an adjustable gastric band is placed around the upper section of the stomach. This creates a small pouch that can hold a limited amount of food and fluid, helping you control your feelings of hunger. While the Lap-Band does lead to lasting, sustainable weight loss, it will also require you to make some adjustments to stay properly hydrated.

Sip, don’t chug

Drinking too fast and too much at once can cause nausea and vomiting after your weight-loss surgery. Instead, aim to sip your water throughout the day. If this isn’t a habit for you, try using a hydration tracker app or timer to remind you to meet your goals.

Don’t drink with meals

To avoid over-filling your stomach pouch, avoid drinking 30 minutes before and after your meals. This also helps prevent washing food through your stomach pouch.

Avoid dehydrating and carbonated drinks

Try to avoid dehydrating drinks like coffee, caffeinated soda, and alcohol. If you want variety in your fluids, try adding fruit to your water for some extra flavor. Steer clear of carbonated drinks, too—all those bubbles can cause bloating and stomach discomfort.

Know the signs of dehydration

One of the most important tips for staying hydrated after starting the Lap-Band Program: know the signs of dehydration.

Extreme thirst
Dizziness
Fatigue
Dark yellow urine
Light-headedness or headache
Dry lips and mouth
Confusion
Elevated pulse
Infrequent urination

Of course, you shouldn’t wait until you notice these signs to drink water, but knowing the symptoms can help you prevent your dehydration from getting worse.

Looking for more tips for success after your Lap-Band procedure? Visit our website for all the resources you need to get on track to a healthier lifestyle.

When it comes to losing weight, there are plenty of options for surgical bariatric procedures, like the Lap-Band®. However, it can be difficult to know when you qualify as a candidate for bariatric surgery. There are several factors you should consider when addressing your eligibility for Lap-Band, including your BMI, behavioral health, and mental health.

Qualifying for bariatric surgery: body mass index

Your BMI, or body mass index, plays a large role in determining your eligibility for bariatric surgery. Qualifications vary based on the type of procedure. Most procedures require a BMI of 40 or higher, or 35 or higher if you have one or more obesity-related conditions. However, the Lap-Band has been approved for patients who have a BMI of 30 with one or more comorbidities. These comorbidities include obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis, among others.

Qualifying for bariatric surgery: behavioral and mental health factors

In addition to your BMI, there are multiple behavioral and metal health factors that should be considered when determining your eligibility for the Lap-Band Program.

Motivation

Weight loss doesn’t occur without hard work. Diet and exercise are a vital part of weight-loss success after surgery. Before starting the Lap-Band Program, assess your motivation to determine whether you’re committed to making the necessary lifestyle changes.

Weight-loss history

When considering your eligibility, your doctor will also consider your past experiences with diet and exercise. Bariatric procedures like the Lap-Band are not “quick fixes” to lose weight. If traditional diet and exercise have not worked for you in the past, then the Lap-Band may be an option.

Eating behaviors

It’s important to understand that the Lap-Band Program isn’t just about losing weight—it’s a step toward a healthier lifestyle. Your relationship with food should also be examined to understand how your eating habits will have to change. For example, if you’re an emotional eater, you’ll need to come up with alternative ways to handle stress.

Mood disorders

Some mood disorders, like anxiety and depression, are associated with obesity. Untreated, these disorders can inhibit your weight-loss success after surgery. Like eating behaviors, they should be addressed before starting the Lap-Band Program.

Alcohol and drugs

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs play a role in weight-loss success. Unmanaged problems with consumption may impede weight loss and prevent you from qualifying for bariatric surgery.

Choosing the Lap-Band system

For those who qualify for bariatric surgery, the Lap-Band Program offers several distinct advantages. Among the surgical weight-loss options, the Lap-Band may be the best solution for gradual and sustainable weight loss. During the Lap-Band procedure, an adjustable silicone band is place around the upper portion of the stomach. This band is adjustable, allowing your weight-loss solution to change as your needs change. Because the Lap-Band procedure involves no partial amputation of the stomach or intestines, it’s also the only bariatric procedure that’s completely reversible.

To learn more about whether you qualify for the Lap-Band Program, register for our online seminar, or find a Lap-Band surgeon near you.

After your Lap-Band® surgery, exercise will become an important component of your weight-loss journey. The most important aspect to losing weight is the assistance from the Lap-Band to help limit your food intake and promote your feeling of fullness, healthy eating, and controlled portions. However, exercise can help build muscle and maintain your level of weight loss. In addition, regular exercise can offer plenty of other health benefits, including improving cardiac health, lung capacity, and even reducing the need for those suffering from type 2 diabetes.

All that said, especially if you’re new to working out, developing an exercise routine can be difficult. For those post-surgery, a common question is the type of exercise they should be focus on to assist in their weight-loss journey: cardio or weightlifting?

Cardio improves your health after bariatric surgery

Cardiovascular activities, like running, biking, swimming, walking, and climbing, burn a high number of calories. When compared to weightlifting for the same time commitment, cardio will burn more calories during your exercise session. In combination with healthy food choices, cardiovascular exercise is especially helpful for those trying to lose weight—the more you weigh, the more calories you burn during cardio.

Cardio also has several additional health benefits, which can help reduce or prevent obesity-related comorbidities. These benefits include improving your hearth health, lowering your blood pressure, and boosting your immune system. Because cardio forces your lungs to work harder to provide oxygen, it also strengthens your respiratory function.

High-intensity interval training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a type of workout that alternates periods of intense exercise with periods of rest. By ramping up the intensity of your workout for a short time, HIIT workouts can help you burn the same number of calories as traditional cardio in a shorter amount of time. This makes HIIT ideal for Lap-Band patients who lead busy schedules and want to squeeze in a workout whenever they can.

Weightlifting helps build muscle after weight-loss surgery

Strength training activities, also called weight training or resistance training, might include free weights or weight machines. Weight training may burn fewer calories during your workout, but it has a few distinct benefits. In tandem with protein-providing foods, weightlifting helps change your body composition, decreasing fat and increasing muscle. While the Lap-Band Program results in a lower likelihood of loose skin due to gradual weight loss, strength training can help further fill out loose skin.

Building muscle increases your resting metabolism and your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the number of calories you burn by performing basic vital functions. While cardio burns more calories during the workout, strength training also causes you to continue burning calories after you stop working out.

Like cardio, weight training also helps improve your hearth health by lowering your blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Additionally, the temporary pressure during weightlifting helps you build stronger bones. This increased bone strength, along with a higher level of muscle, lowers your risk of dangerous falls and injury, both in everyday life and during exercise.

Cardio and weightlifting after your Lap-Band procedure

So, what’s better for improving your health and assisting with weight loss after your Lap-Band procedure, cardio or weightlifting?

Depending on your overall goals, you should incorporate cardio and strength training activities into your workout routine to reap the benefits of both. Not only can both help you lose weight, but they can help you make essential improvements to your overall health.

However, note that exercise is just one component of healthy, sustainable, and successful weight loss. Healthy eating, portion control, sleep, hydration, and multiple other factors play an even more important role, as does your aftercare immediately after your procedure.

The Lap-Band Program isn’t just about the procedure—it’s also about providing support after the surgery. The Lap-Band Program offers a comprehensive aftercare program, providing the resources you need to develop an exercise routine that can help you meet your health goals post-surgery.

Learn more about the Lap-Band Program, or find a surgeon in your area.

Most people know that obesity increases your risk for several serious conditions and diseases. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis are some of the most common obesity comorbidities. Less often discussed are non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this article, we’ll cover these two obesity-related comorbidities in addition to discussing how the Lap-Band® Program can help reduce their symptoms and promote overall liver health.

Obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

NAFLD is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions characterized by an excess of fat stored in the liver cells, which can lead to inflammation. This fat is not due to excessive alcohol use, hence the term “non-alcoholic.” NAFLD symptoms are typically minimal; if they do manifest, they sometimes do so as fatigue and pain in the upper abdomen.

NAFLD is becoming increasingly common, especially in America, where nearly 25% of citizens are affected. Overweight or obese individuals who suffer from diabetes or have insulin resistance have an increased risk of developing NAFLD. While scientists don’t fully understand the correlation between obesity and NAFLD, they do know that losing weight can help improve NAFLD symptoms.

If not addressed, NAFLD can lead to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or eventual cirrhosis.

Obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

NASH is an advancement of untreated NAFLD. Like NAFLD, NASH is characterized by the excess of fat in the liver with the addition of inflammation and liver cell damage. NASH also has minimal symptoms, which may include unexplained weight loss, general weakness, or jaundice.

NASH is a less common obesity comorbidity than NAFLD, but when left untreated, it replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, leading to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can lead to many different health complications, and late-stage cirrhosis can be fatal.

How Lap-Band can help treat NAFLD and NASH

The first recommendation for treating NAFLD and NASH is typically weight loss, which can help combat the conditions that lead to the development of fatty liver disease. For patients who qualify, the Lap-Band Program can help those suffering from NAFLD or NASH lose weight gradually and sustainably.

During surgery, the Lap-Band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This band can be adjusted via a skin port, allowing patients to control their hunger and limit their food intake. In combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise, the Lap-Band Program can help patients take control of their weight, potentially leading to the reversal of their NAFLD or NASH.

To learn more about how Lap-Band can help you start the path to a healthier lifestyle, visit our website.

When choosing the right weight-loss surgery option for you, it’s important to consider not only the short-term results but the long-term success, as well. With bariatric procedures like the gastric sleeve, rapid weight-loss occurs in the months immediately following recovery, but that isn’t always indicative of lasting success. On the other hand, with the Lap-Band® procedure, healthy weight loss occurs at a slower, more gradual rate, which actually offers some unique advantages for patients.

In this article, we’ll examine how the long-term weight-loss success of the Lap-Band compares to that of the gastric sleeve, which may provide insight on which procedure is right for you.

Research on the 10-year success of the Lap-Band

The 2021 study “Ten‑Year Results of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Retrospective

Matched Comparison with Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding—Is There a Significant Difference in Long Term?” aims to compare the success rates of the gastric sleeve with the Lap-Band. During the study, Lap-Band patients were matched to a gastric sleeve patient with a corresponding age, sex, and BMI. Their weight-loss success was examined at one year, five years, and 10 years after their surgery.

Weight-loss success

When it comes to short term weight loss, the group of patients that received the gastric sleeve procedure showed faster and more dramatic weight loss at the one year and five-year marks. However, after 10 years, research shows weight-loss and conversion rates were comparable for both groups. Simply put, the long-term success of the gastric sleeve and of the Lap-Band procedure are about the same.

Why is Lap-Band right for me?

So, if the gastric sleeve and the Lap-Band have similar 10-year success rates, which is the right surgery? Choosing a bariatric procedure is a deeply personal choice that will depend greatly on your unique situation and health requirements, however the Lap-Band does offer several distinct advantages over the gastric sleeve.

Adjustable

As your needs change, the Lap-Band changes with you. Via a port beneath the skin, the Lap-Band can be tightened or loosened as your body or your physical needs change over time. This means it can even be adjusted for pregnancy.

No partial amputation

Unlike the gastric sleeve, the Lap-Band procedure doesn’t involve any cutting of the stomach or rerouting of your organs. If for any reason your Lap-Band needs to be removed, it is easily reversible.

Non-malabsorptive

Because the Lap-Band does not remove or reroute internal organs, it’s considered a non-malabsorptive surgery. The gastric sleeve is a malabsorptive surgery, meaning the body may struggle to get the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, risking vitamin and mineral deficiencies. While patients who receive the gastric sleeve procedure often require extensive supplement routines, the only supplement typically recommended after the Lap-Band procedure is a daily multivitamin that meets or exceeds current American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines.

Faster recovery

For patients who receive the minimally invasive Lap-Band surgery, recovery time is shorter than the gastric sleeve procedure. The procedure is typically performed in less than an hour, and you can usually return home the same day, with a shorter recovery time than more invasive bariatric procedures.

If you decide the Lap-Band is the right surgical weight-loss option for you, there are numerous surgeons across the country that are ready to help you take control of your weight loss. Visit the Lap-Band website for more information and find more articles about Lap-Band success on our blog.

For those considering a bariatric procedure like the Lap-Band® surgery, loose skin is a common concern. While usually a cosmetic preference, loose skin can also cause health problems, like chaffing, rashes, and, in extreme cases, infection. The idea of developing loose skin might be discouraging for some patients, but whether you develop loose skin during your weight-loss journey is partially dependent on the bariatric procedure you choose.

What causes loose skin after bariatric surgery?

When you gain weight, your skin stretches out to accommodate. During rapid weight loss, there is less fat to fill out the skin, which can result in sagging skin. Some post-bariatric surgery patients opt to have plastic surgery to remove their excess skin through a process called body contouring. However, they’re encouraged to wait at least a year after they’ve lost most of their weight, which allows the skin time to tighten naturally.

Why Lap-Band is different

During the Lap-Band procedure, an adjustable silicone band is placed around the stomach that can be tightened or loosened as your body or your physical needs change over time, helping to limit your food intake and promote your feeling of fullness. Post-surgery, Lap-Band patients lose weight gradually. Procedures like the gastric bypass result in rapid weight loss shortly after surgery, increasing the likelihood of excess skin. Because weight-loss is sustained over a longer period of time with the Lap-Band, there’s a lower chance of developing loose skin.

With the Lap-Band procedure, you may not experience loose skin, but it depends on other factors, as well. Your age helps determine your skin’s elasticity, which decreases as you get older. Your skin’s health also plays a role, as does the amount of weight you lose—more weight loss means a greater chance of excess skin.

Preventing loose skin after Lap-Band surgery

There are a few things you can do throughout your weight-loss journey to help discourage loose skin. First, focus on maintaining gradual weight loss to give your skin time to adjust. Post-surgery, your weight-loss team carefully designs your diet and exercise plan for healthy weight-loss, so be sure to follow your plan closely. Don’t over restrict your calories or over-exercise—aim for the healthy rate of losing 1-2lbs a week.

Second, emphasize skin health throughout your weight-loss journey. Proper hydration is important after Lap-Band surgery and drinking plenty of water also helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. Choose healthy foods that promote healthy skin, like fish and avocados, which contain healthy and beneficial fats. Other ways to prioritize skin health include wearing daily sunscreen, quitting smoking, and getting enough sleep.

Lastly, don’t neglect strength training in your exercise routine post-surgery. Building muscle helps fill out excess skin. Because the Lap-Band surgery is minimally invasive, it allows patients to recover and begin exercising quickly after surgery, but always check with your surgeon before you start strength training.

If you do have loose skin after Lap-Band surgery, plastic surgery is still an option. However, like other bariatric procedures, you should wait at least one year after you’ve lost much of your weight to decide if excess skin removal is right for you. To a certain extent, your skin will firm up naturally, but if you’re not satisfied with the results after a year, plastic surgery may be the right choice for you. It’s important to know that because body contouring is largely considered a cosmetic procedure, your insurance might not cover it unless the excess skin poses health risks.

If you’re looking for a weight-loss procedure that reduces your chance of loose skin, the Lap-Band may be right for you. Learn if you’re qualified by visiting our website, or find a surgeon in your area and take control of your weight loss today!

When considering or preparing for the Lap-Band® surgery, one of the most common questions patients have is about what and when they can eat during recovery. In order to allow your stomach to heal properly, you’ll need to follow specific guidelines for eating in the weeks following your procedure.

Plans will differ from patient to patient. Your specialist or dietitian will help you develop a comprehensive plan that takes your specific situation, as well as any food sensitivities, into account. With that said, here is an example of a standard eating plan during Lap-Band surgery recovery.

First 2 days after surgery

In the first two days following surgery, proper hydration is essential, and you should be getting 48 to 64 ounces of fluid each day. During this portion of recovery, you’ll be limited to water and other clear liquids, including:

Fruit juices, diluted to avoid nausea (no more that 2 cups a day)
Clear soup broths
Low-calorie sports drinks

Sip your liquids consistently to remain hydrated. Sucking on ice chips may help if you’re struggling to reach the ideal fluid intake.

Days 3 through 7

During this portion of recovery, you’ll continue with your liquid diet, consuming 48-64 ounces a day. However, you will no longer be limited to clear liquids.

In this phase, you can add chicken, beef, and vegetable broth to your diet as long as they don’t contain cream. You can also consume skim milk, sugar-free fruit juice, and sugar-free frozen fruit juice. Your dietitian may advise you to use protein supplements to keep up your protein intake.

Days 8 through 21

Once you receive the go-ahead from your surgeon, you can progress to the next portion of the Lap-Band recovery plan. While you can return to most of the foods you ate pre-surgery, they’ll need to be pureed until smooth, allowing the food to pass through the stoma (stomach opening) without risking blockage.

You’ll need to start incorporating high-protein foods into your diet, like pureed fish, chicken, and vegetables. Other ideal foods during this stage include:

Fruit smoothies
Hummus
Egg salad
Cottage cheese
Pureed soup
Gelatin
Baby food
Mashed potatoes
Apple sauce
Low-fat yogurt or pudding

At this stage in Lap-Band recovery, it’s important that you don’t drink liquids while eating, as it can take up room in your stomach that should be devoted to your pureed food. Refrain from drinking 30 minutes before and after each meal.

Days 22 through 42

In the final stage of recovery, you can add soft foods to your diet. This includes things like fish, ground turkey, hot cereals, bananas, and rice. For the same reason above, avoid drinking liquid at or near your mealtime. If you experience nausea and vomiting while adjusting to solid foods, your specialist may recommend you return to the liquid diet for a longer period of time.

As you continue to heal and progress to foods that require chewing, your recovery team will stress the importance of cutting food into small pieces and chewing very thoroughly before you swallow. Your new stomach opening is smaller, and you’ll need to make changes in your eating habits to accommodate it.

If you don’t follow this advice, it’s possible you may experience nausea, stomach discomfort, and vomiting. It may also increase the chance of complications, such as slipping of the gastric band, pouch expansion, and stomach blockage.

Obesity is linked to a number of health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Experts are also finding that obesity is linked to severe COVID-19 complications and hospitalizations. A majority of patients that have been hospitalized, on a ventilator, or died due to COVID fell into the overweight or obese weight range. That’s why doctors and experts are recommending that individuals with obesity get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible or pursue a weight-loss option, like bariatric surgery, to reach a normal weight.

Obesity risk factors linked to COVID-19

Obesity is prevalent in the United States, and the number is on the rise. This could be one of the reasons the rate of COVID cases is so high in the United States compared to other countries. According to Dr. Jay Sizemore of the Erlanger Hospital infectious disease unit, an individual with obesity is more likely to experience “immune dysregulation.” This means that their immune systems may not work as effectively as individuals that fall into a healthier weight range. Additionally, their lung capacity may be limited, which means that they may be more likely to have to be put on a ventilator if they contract COVID. The virus enters the cells in the body and replicates. It enters the cells via a receptor called ACE2. There are more of these type of receptors in fat cells. According to Dr. Jaime Ponce, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at CHI Memorial, “They [individuals with obesity] have more of these receptors so the virus has the ability to get in to replicate and stay there more times.”

Preventing COVID-19

Individuals with obesity should get their COVID vaccinations as soon as possible to limit their chance of contracting the disease or from being hospitalized by the disease. While individuals wait to receive the vaccine, there are a few other things they can do to protect themselves in addition to social distancing. Enjoying healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, safely exercising regularly, getting enough sleep each night, and managing stress effectively will help keep your body healthy.

However, healthy lifestyle changes combined with weight-loss surgery produce the best results. While many hospitals have put off elective surgeries, there are weight-loss procedures, such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, that can be safely performed at an ambulatory (non-hospital) surgery center. So, while waiting for a lifesaving shot, people who are 30 – 60 pounds overweight have a proven solution available right now.

If you are ready to take control of your weight loss, the Lap-Band® Program may be the next step for you.

Undergoing surgery can be a nerve-wracking process, no matter how simple the procedure is. There’s also the fear of what recovery will look like and the pain that may be associated with it. Learn more about the bariatric surgery recovery process, from the Lap-Band® Procedure to gastric bypass surgery.

Different recovery times

The recovery times for bariatric surgery will vary depending upon the procedure you undergo. Most bariatric procedures are now performed laparoscopically. The bariatric surgeon is able to perform the procedure by making a few small incisions in the abdomen. However, there are some instances in which individuals may have to have an open procedure, which will require a longer recovery time. Procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy that involve rerouting and cutting the intestines or the stomach also come with the risk of more complications and a longer recovery time.

Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve

Following the sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgeries, you will need to stay in the hospital overnight and up to a few days. Because the sleeve gastrectomy involves partial “amputation” of your stomach, and the gastric bypass surgery involves cutting and rerouting your stomach and intestines, you are likely to feel some pain and some swelling. Your doctor can provide pain medicine to lessen the pain. You are required stay in the hospital so that your surgical team can monitor your vitals and ensure there are no post-operative complications.

Your surgical team will give you a specific plan to follow regarding activity limitations and food restrictions, but it is recommended that you take about one to two weeks off from work. Your recovery period will last about three to six weeks (depending on the type of procedure), during which your caloric intake will be severely restricted and you will have to follow a special diet. You will slowly transition from clear liquids during the first few days following surgery, to a liquid diet, to a pureed food diet, to soft foods only, and then to the full range of foods. It is important that you do not start eating solid foods too soon; you will need to transition slowly. Light activity is recommended, like walking, but strenuous physical activity shouldn’t be continued until about a month after your surgery.

The Lap-Band Program

While recovery from gastric bypass surgery and the sleeve gastrectomy procedure can take upwards of six weeks, recovery time following the Lap-Band Procedure is typically much shorter. While the Lap-Band Surgery is performed laparoscopically just as most other surgeries are, the quicker recovery time can be attributed to the fact that the Lap-Band Procedure does not require any rerouting or cutting of the intestines or stomach. The procedure can be performed within an outpatient center and is typically completed in under an hour. Patients can usually go home the same day as the procedure.

It takes about one month for your stomach to heal from surgery, and it is at around this time that you can get your first adjustment. After the procedure, you’ll need to start with a liquid diet, then move to soft foods for a period of time before incorporating solid foods back into your diet.

The most important thing to focus on after bariatric surgery is taking it easy and taking the time to heal. For more resources, visit: https://www.www.lapband.com/resources/.