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High-quality foods to eat after bariatric surgery

April 1, 2021

Eating high-quality, nutrient dense foods is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for individuals who have undergone a bariatric procedure, such as the Lap-Band® Weight-Loss Program. Once you have the Lap-Band in place, you will not be able to consume as much as you could previously. In order to get all the nutrients you need in a day, you will need to focus on consuming power foods that are high in necessary nutrients, like fiber, protein, calcium, and vitamins. Not only will power foods make you feel good, they will fill you up, they will help keep you healthy, and they can help prevent certain diseases. On the contrary, low-quality foods that are high in sugar, fat, and calories can cause you to crash and they offer little, if any, nutritional value. Because you can only eat a small amount, it is crucial that you do not fill up with low-quality foods.

Check out our list of power foods to eat after bariatric surgery.

Water

Hydration is absolutely crucial after bariatric surgery. Not only will water help keep you full and sated, it may aid in weight loss efforts. Sugary, carbonated beverages may irritate your stomach after bariatric surgery, and over-consumption can lead to weight gain, so stick to water.  

Salmon

Not only is salmon delicious and satisfying, it’s good for you. You’ll get plenty of protein, healthy fats, and omega-3 fatty acids when you add salmon to your diet. Bonus: omega-3 fatty acids may play a positive role in reducing obesity. If salmon isn’t your favorite, try tuna or lean meat like chicken.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is a great source of calcium and protein, and it’s also low in fat. Cottage cheese is an especially great option if you’re still recovering from bariatric surgery and are not yet able to consume solid foods. It makes for a great breakfast or served alongside fruit as a light lunch.

Berries

Fruit has gotten a bad rap as of late due to its sugar content (despite those sugars being natural), so it’s best to enjoy fruit in moderation. If you’re craving some sweet, delicious fruit, a handful of berries will give you the nutrients you need, like antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and more. Studies show that they can help lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar, fight inflammation, and even protect against some types of cancer.

Nuts

While nuts can get a bad reputation for being relatively high in fat and calories, they are a great power food when consumed in moderation. If you need to reach for a snack during the day, a small handful of nuts is a great option and will provide you with some protein and fiber to tide you over until your next meal. If you’re missing that crunch you used to get from potato chips, sprinkle some nuts on your salad or your morning yogurt.

Avocados

There’s something to be said for all those avocado toast lovers out there! The fruit is loaded with good-for-you nutrients like fiber, potassium, and healthy fats. They’re incredibly versatile, too. You can toss them on a salad, blend them in with sauces to get an extra nutrient kick, or eat them on their own with your favorite seasoning.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens like spinach and kale make a great side on any plate because they’re low in calories but loaded with vitamins and minerals. Plus, you can easily dress them up with homemade dressings, nuts, more veggies, or fruit.

For more nutrition tips, visit our blog.

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Important Lap-Band® System Safety Information

The ReShape Lap-Band Systems are approved for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of at least 30 with health conditions related to obesity, who have not seen success with other weight loss methods, like supervised diet, exercise, and behavior modification programs. Choosing this surgery means committing to changes in eating habits for the long term.

The Lap-Band procedure is not approved for individuals under 18 yo, those with conditions that may make them poor surgical candidates or lead to poor results, such as inflammatory or cardiopulmonary diseases, problems with the stomach and digestion, symptoms or family history of autoimmune disease, scarring of the liver, individuals unable or unwilling to follow the necessary dietary restrictions, individuals with alcohol or drug addictions, or those currently pregnant. Individuals who become pregnant after band placement may require deflation of their bands.

The ReShape Lap-Band Systems, a long-term tool, may need to be adjusted if you get pregnant, sick, or malnourished. Be careful with anti-inflammatory drugs as they could make the band wear away. Like any surgery, placement of the Lap-Band may have complications such as risks from drugs and methods used, general surgery risks, how well your body handles a foreign object, or in rare cases, risk of death.

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with metabolic and bariatric surgery that you and your doctor should discuss. Potential risks associated with the Lap-Band include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach blockage, constipation, swallowing difficulty, diarrhea, abnormal stools, abdominal pain, weakness, incision pain, infection, fever, hernia, chest pain, band movement, stomach pouch expansion, unusual healing, pain at the port site, port movement, and/or hair loss. Additional surgery might be needed. Losing weight quickly could lead to complications requiring more surgery. 

Talk to your doctor, and/or visit our website at www.lapband.com/safety/ for more information on its benefits and risks.

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