Bariatric surgery has become an increasingly popular method for those needing to lose an immense amount of weight. Lap band is a type of bariatric surgery that was approved for use in the United States by the FDA in June of 2001, though it has been used in Europe and Australia since 1993. If you are considering this surgery you should be aware of the dietary changes you will need to commit to after the surgery, changes you must make for life.
Importance of Dietary Changes
The foods you will eat immediately following your surgery, as well as the foods you will eat long-term, all serve a specific purpose: They will help you reach your weight-loss goals.
Immediately following your surgery you will go through various stages of a post-op diet. These stages are designed to gradually introduce food to the new pouch, or stomach, created by the lap band. The gradual introduction of food not only assists in the healing of your wound, it also prevents your new band from slipping while preventing a blockage of the stoma (the opening where the food enters your pouch).
The Post-Op Diet
The first week or two after surgery, you will be on a clear liquid diet consisting of clear broths, juices and jello. Once you have shown you can tolerate this stage, you will progress onto a full liquid diet for a period of approximately two weeks. During this stage you can have items such as protein shakes, cream soups and sugar-free pudding.
The next two to three weeks is when you will be enjoying pureed foods. This will include meats and vegetables pureed in a blender, along with soft eggs, oatmeal and some casseroles.
Once you have successfully made it through these stages with no signs of complications, you can begin eating normal foods again. This entire process lasts for a period of up to eight weeks, although it can vary according to each individual and how well they heal.
The Basic Fours
Once you have passed through the stages of your post-op diet and are able to eat a wider variety of food, it is vital to make nutritious food choices. Your new pouch only holds one-quarter cup of food per meal, therefore you must make the most of the nutritional value. Choosing from the four basic food groups will give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs.
The most important group to choose from is the meat group. This is where you will receive a majority of the protein you need to heal your wounds and restore cell growth. Because you can only eat three meals a day, you need to include some type of protein with each meal. Some of your choices include eggs and lean meat.
Next is the milk group, another group which is high in protein. You should eat two servings a day from this group and choose from items such as plain low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese and skim milk.
Fruits and vegetables are important for regulating your body's processes, such as bowel movements, and provide essential vitamins and minerals needed to fight infection and prevent nutritional deficiencies. The recommended daily amounts for lap band patients are three portions.
Finally there is the grain group, which is rich in iron and B-vitamins to help prevent anemia and increase immunity to infection. You can choose from items such as oatmeal and saltine crackers, limiting your amounts to two servings a day.
Liquids
Liquids are an important part of your diet, no matter how long you have been post-op lap band. You need to stay hydrated to help replace any fluids you are losing during weight loss. However it is important to drink between your meals, not before or with them. When you drink with your meal, it will push your food through your pouch too quickly, resulting in hunger and possible overeating.
Foods to Avoid
There are foods you have to avoid once your surgery is complete, foods you must be ready to give up for good. They include foods high in sugar and fat, such as cakes, candy and whole milk. You also need to give up high-calorie drinks, such as fruit drinks, that contain almost no fruit and lots of sugar. These foods and drinks have no nutritional value and will decrease the amount of weight you lose.
Certain foods may cause complications and should be avoided, as well. These include high-fiber foods such as asparagus, celery and oranges; they can cause you to become bloated and leave you feeling uncomfortable. The same is true for carbonated beverages, especially soda; they increase the size of your pouch and may cause unnecessary pain.
In addition, foods such as popcorn, nuts, seeds from fruit, and tough meat such as hamburger and steak may cause a blockage of your stoma or your band to slip; if this occurs, you will need surgery to repair it.
