Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next

For many people weight loss is not just something that they desire it is something that is necessary. This article ” ” looks at what to do after you have had lap band surgery. There are additional links below to help you with educating yourself on what to do after lap band surgery.

Now that you have had lap band surgery it is important to know what to do next. Nutrition, diet and lifestyle changes are important do that you will not find yourself right back in the same place you were prior to surgery. Before following any course of action you should always consult with your medical professionals. Following the instructions given by your physician will allow your stomach to heal itself within the new structure created by the surgery. This may take more than 1 month. It is important to avoid vomiting because this can cause stomach tissue to slip through the band.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – The First Initial Days After Surgery

In the initial hours after the operation, sipping on a cup of water or sucking on an ice cube or ice chips is all you should attempt to consume. Day 1 after surgery you can increase the level of fluids to include some clear liquids but that is all. Additional calories are important but so is avoiding nausea and vomiting.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – One To Two Weeks After Surgery

Your primary goals at this point is to consume enough calories while protecting the small stomach pouch that has been created. Hydration, hydration and hydration is important. Here are some recommended liquids that you can consume:

Clear soups or broths only, no meat, creamy sauces or vegetables

Skim milk not whole milk

Fruit juices, without pulp

Sugar free popsicles
Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Three To Four Weeks After Surgery

At this point you can start to introduce foods with a slight texture to them. Food that have the consistency of baby food. Protein will allow you to maintain or even build muscle while losing weight so consuming protein rich foods first and then adding fruits or vegetables will be most effective. Some foods that you can add after being pureed are:
Pureed chicken that is skinless or fish
Mashed potatoes making sure that they are not lumpy
Peas
Low-fat yogurt or even pudding

Timing is very important in this phase so make sure that you are consulting with your physician. Allowing your stomach to adjust is more important than losing weight.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Five Weeks After Surgery

Now you should be able to add some soft foods such as fish or ground turkey to your diet. Get in the habit of chewing your bites well and cutting them into small pieces. If at any point you feel symptoms of nausea or vomiting go back to your liquid diet and work back to soft foods.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Your New Lifestyle And Nutrition Plan

The long term phase is to continue to lose weight in terms of fat, without problems, while maintaining muscle mass. As solid foods are allowed to be digested liquids should pass through the reduced stomach pouch without issue. This will also mean that you will not feel full when consuming liquids only. In order to make sure you are properly hydrated you should drink six to eight cups of water at a minimum. This should be done throughout the day in between meals.

The key will be to consume 3 small meals on a daily basis and to stop eating when you feel comfortable. Portions should only be one quarter cup or a total of two ounces at any one time.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Best Food Choices For Long Term Health

Option #1. Plenty Of Fruits And vegetables – One to two servings of fresh fruit along with two to three servings of fresh vegetables per day.

Option #2. Get enough breads and cereals – A portion of low-sugar cereal either cold or hot and one half to one slice of toasted either whole wheat or rye bread daily. This can be difficult for some patients so discontinue if necessary.

Option #3. Daily portions of meat, fish, poultry, eggs – One oz. to two oz. of each, meat, fish, or poultry or one egg daily. Make sure and trim all of the visible fat from your meat portions. Remove of the skin from your poultry. Preparations that require very little fat, such as grilling, steaming, microwaving, or boiling are the best ways to accomplish this. For some patients eating meat is difficult.

Option #4. Dairy products –
Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. However, these types of food have calcium, which makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet, so choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 oz. of cheese a day.

Option #5. Fats – Limit the consumption of fat to three to four teaspoons of items such as margarine, butter, or oil on a daily basis.

Option #6. Drinks – Drink that have zero or as close to zero as possible can be consumed without limit. Some examples are:

Black coffee or homemade tea
Clear water
Beverages that are non-carbonated

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Foods to Avoid

Some foods that it would be better to avoid are:

Syrups

Pastries

Cakes

Chips

Biscuits

Pies

Jam

Honey

Alcoholic drinks can be consumed but in moderation. One glass of wine daily would be an example.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Some Common Problem With Foods
Sometimes there are issues with foods that will make it difficult for the food to pass through the new opening created in the stoma. This can cause some blockage. Here is a list of some examples of foods that can cause this:

Dry meat

Nuts

Shrimp

Rice

Dried fruit

Pasta

Coconut

Greasy fried food

Fibrous vegetables such as corn, asparagus along with celery

Peanut butter

Untoasted or doughy bread

Popcorn
Seeds and skins of fruits and vegetables and the membranes of citrus fruits

Make sure and introduce the above foods on a gradual basis and individually in order to see if each can be tolerated.

Home Remedy Network – Healthy Lifestyle – After Lap Band Surgery What To Do Next – Exercise Guidelines

Adding exercise and regular planned physical activity to your daily activities routine is as important as what you eat. Patients who have been sedentary because of decreased ability to be active, psychological blocks, as well as in some cases, actual physical limitations. Do not start any programs without first consulting with your personal medical professionals.

Disclaimer

Web MD – Lap Band Surgery

About.com – Women’s Health – What Happens After Lap Band Surgery

Nebraska Med – Lap Band Post Op Diet