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Seven tips for success with the Lap-Band®

February 28, 2020

The Lap-Band® is a great tool for weight loss, but it is not a cure. It requires a major commitment and lifestyle change to achieve and maintain success. If you’re thinking about the Lap-Band Procedure or you’ve just had it done, these seven tips will help you stay on a successful path to weight loss.

Eat only when you’re hungry

After the Lap-Band, your stomach can only hold about one cup of food. If you’re mindlessly eating when you aren’t hungry, you will fill up your stomach pouch quickly, instead of filling it with the necessary nutrients you need at meal time.

Eat slowly and chew well

The Lap-Band works best when you’re not in a hurry. The band sends the signal to your brain that you are satisfied and done eating, but you need to give it time to do so. Eating slowly will not only help you eat less, but it will help you enjoy your food more. Your food needs to be mush for it to pass through your band safely. If you don’t chew well, you could feel sick. Eat a small forkful, then set your fork down. Chew slowly. Once you’ve finished chewing, then you can pick your fork back up and take another bite.

Stop eating when you feel satisfied

The Lap-Band will help you feel satisfied sooner. Listen to your band. It will let you know when you are satisfied and don’t need to eat anymore. If you ignore it, you may eat more than the one-cup limit, which could cause band slippage or your food to get stuck in your band. 

Stay active

Exercise is a key part of any weight-loss plan. It will help you feel better and can help you achieve your goals sooner. Find out what sort of physical activity you love, and be sure to ease into a new exercise routine slowly.

Don’t eat between meals

The Lap-Band works best when there is no snacking between your three meals per day. Avoid impulse snacking. It is a huge deterrent to weight loss. If you need a snack because you are increasingly physically active, choose a low-carb, low-calorie, high protein snack. If you notice yourself often reaching for a snack, it could mean that your band needs to be adjusted. Talk to your doctor.

Only eat high-quality foods

Because your stomach pouch can hold less with the Lap-Band, you will no longer be able to eat as much as you could previously. It’s crucial to eat nutrient-rich foods, rather than filling up on high-calorie, sugary, or fattening foods. Not only will junk food not give you the nutrients you need like whole foods will, but the empty calories won’t satisfy you.

Drink only low-calorie liquids

Liquids can “trick” the Lap-Band. They slide right through your band, and are not restricted like solid food is. Consuming sugary liquids, like sodas, fruit juices, and high-calorie smoothies, can set you back on your weight-loss goals. Instead, choose water or calorie-free beverages.

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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.