Gastric banding is a type of restrictive weight-loss surgery in which the surgeon reduces stomach size by placing a band around the upper part of the stomach. After surgery, the stomach is only large enough to hold approximately one ounce of food. The patient feels full faster, eating less and losing weight. For the best results, follow this four-stage eating plan after gastric banding surgery.
Stage 1: Clear Liquid Diet
In the early weeks after surgery, it is important that you not stretch the small stomach pouch above the band. Begin with small sips of water. Do not take in too much at one time to avoid nausea. After the first few days, gradually begin increasing your liquid intake to stay hydrated. Remember that only very thin liquids can be tolerated by the stomach pouch. Choose clear liquids that have sufficient calories. Some good examples are:
- Clear broth or soup (without vegetables or meat; not cream based)
- Skim milk
- Fruit juice
- Popsicles (no sugar added)
Stage 2: Semi-Liquid Diet
After the first two weeks, your doctor will clear you to begin eating slightly textured (pureed) foods, similar to baby food. Start with protein-rich foods first. Gradually add fruits and vegetables. Examples of foods to puree for this stage in your recovery are:
- Pureed skinless chicken or fish
- Mashed potatoes
- Peas
- Low-fat yogurt
- Low-fat pudding
Stage 3: Semi-Solid Diet
At the five-week mark, your doctor will add tender cooked foods to your diet, like ground turkey or fish. Be sure to chew each morsel very thoroughly to avoid stomach irritation, stomach swelling and vomiting. You could also cause an obstruction in the digestive tract if you do not take care to chew each bite well. If the introduction of more solid foods causes nausea, return to the liquid diet and slowly add soft foods as you are able to tolerate them.
Stage 4: Low-Fat Solid Diet
Once you are able to consume these soft foods without any issues, your doctor will begin your transition to the post-op maintenance eating plan. Keep in mind that liquids consumed during or immediately after meals will flush the food through your stomach pouch, preventing the feeling of fullness needed after your meal to keep you eating less. If you are a patient who tends to feel nauseated with solid foods first thing in the morning, start your day with a few glasses of liquid before breakfast. Remember to chew your food thoroughly so your stomach pouch outlet, now the size of a dime, is not blocked by a large chunk of food. Eat three nutritious meals a day and stop eating as soon as you feel full. Overeating can cause nausea and vomiting after gastric band surgery.
Foods to Include
Protein is especially important after your surgery to help in the recovery process and to ensure you remain healthy. Include a daily multivitamin in your diet. A few high-protein foods are:
- Fish
- Chicken and turkey
- Lean meats, such as extra lean ground beef
- Skim or 1 percent milk
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Low-fat yogurt
- Low-fat cheese
- Egg whites
- Oatmeal
- Beans
Foods to Avoid
Learn to read labels on everything. It is especially important to limit fat intake to no more than 35 g of fat per day. After gastric banding, some foods will not be tolerated well. Examples of such foods to avoid are:
- Nuts and seeds
- Popcorn
- Dried fruit
- Seeds and skins of any fruit or vegetable including grapes, olives, corn
- High fiber vegetables including celery, sweet potatoes, rhubarb, asparagus
- Fruits with membranes including pineapple, oranges and grapefruit
- Meats considered "tough" such as pork chops and steaks
- Meats containing gristle such as hamburger
- Granola
- Carbonated beverages
- High calorie foods and drinks
- Whole milk and regular cheese, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressings, sour cream and cream cheese
- Fried foods
- Spicy foods and spices such as cinnamon, pepper, onion or garlic salt
- Protein sources that are high in fat such as bacon, sausage, bologna, peanut butter
- Junk food, such as potato chips, donuts, ice cream
