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Cooking tips post Lap-Band® surgery

December 19, 2019

The Lap-Band® is a tool designed for those who are ready to make a serious commitment to weight loss. To see best results, patients should begin incorporating a healthy dose of exercise into their routine. Their diet is also of the utmost importance. Without all of these healthy behaviors in place, patients may not receive the ideal results they hope to achieve. Incorporating healthy recipes into their diet after the Lap-Band Procedure is the best way to lose weight safely and intelligently.

Following the surgery, you’ll need to let your stomach heal properly, which means you’ll need to ease back into solid foods. For the first two days, you’ll stick to water, clear liquids, and ice chips. For the remainder of the first week following surgery, you will need to maintain a liquid diet. You can have broth (without cream), skim milk, sugar-free juice, and water. During weeks two through three, pureed foods are allowed, such as pureed proteins and vegetables, hummus, mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, and pudding. Soft foods like egg salad and cottage cheese are also allowed. Days twenty-two through forty-two, soft foods like fish and ground turkey can be incorporated, along with a list of foods provided by your specialist or dietitian. Liquids are allowed, but should not be consumed with meals. It’s important to follow this diet, chew slowly, and take small bites to accommodate your smaller stomach opening.

Once you’ve eased into eating solids foods again, you’ll need to continue to adopt healthy eating habits and follow a healthy, balanced diet. You should only eat when you are hungry. Your new stomach pouch can only hold about one-quarter cup of food at a time, which equates to about three small meals per day. Protein should be consumed first to ensure you get the proper fuel; continue with your other nutrients like fruits and vegetables, and slowly eat until you are satiated. You should not feel overly full. Don’t eat until your next meal; break the habit of snacking.

Because you are eating less food, it’s important to eat high quality foods high in nutrients, protein, and vitamins. Avoid junk food, such as foods high in fat and sugar. Consume meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Stick with low-calorie drinks; water is best, and if you choose to drink fruit juice, it should have no sugar added.

Be mindful when planning your meals and deciding on preparation. You can add a lot of extra calories and fat depending on how you prepare your meals. Instead of frying your meat, grill or bake it, and avoid heavy, filling, calorie-laden breading or sauces. Relying on seasonings can add plenty of flavor. Choose plain, low-fat yogurt for breakfast with a small handful of berries for added flavor. Try a piece of toast with fruit for lunch, followed by grilled chicken and a salad for dinner. Avoid creamy, fattening dressing, and opt for a fat-free kind or make your own using olive oil and vinegar.

Do you have any questions regarding maintaining a healthy diet after Lap-Band Surgery? Give our experts a call at 1-800-LAPBAND.

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Important Lap-Band® System Safety Information

The Lap-Band System is indicated for weight reduction for patients with obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. It is indicated for use only in adult patients who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives, such as supervised diet, exercise and behavior modification programs. Patients who elect to have this surgery must make the commitment to accept significant changes in their eating habits for the rest of their lives.

The Lap-Band System is not recommended for non-adult patients (patients under 18 years of age), patients with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or increase the risk of poor results, who are unwilling or unable to comply with the required dietary restrictions, or who currently are or may be pregnant.

The Lap-Band System is a long-term implant. Explant and replacement surgery may be required. Patients who become pregnant or severely ill, or who require more extensive nutrition may require deflation of their bands. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as aspirin, should be used with caution and may contribute to an increased risk of band erosion.

Placement of the Lap-Band System is major surgery and, as with any surgery, death can occur. Possible complications include the risks associated with the medications and methods used during surgery, the risks associated with any surgical procedure, and the patient’s ability to tolerate a foreign object implanted in the body. Most common related adverse events include: Band slippage, pouch dilation, stoma obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal dilation, cholelithiasis, incisional infection, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, or nausea and vomiting may occur. Reoperation may be required. Rapid weight loss may result in complications that may require additional surgery. Deflation of the band may alleviate excessively rapid weight loss or esophageal dilation.

Important: For full safety information please click here or talk with your doctor.