Eating Healthy After Lap Band Adjustments

After undergoing lap band surgery, many band patients would like to know how to eat after a band adjustment.

Following the proper dietary guidelines after a band adjustment will help minimize complications associated with fills & adjustments as well as help facilitate weight loss.

Tips on eating after a lap band adjustment

Dietary tips after adjusting your band

• The Lap-Band system is designed to restrict solids, not liquids in your diet. Liquids will pass through the reduced stomach pouch and after the first few weeks will not make you feel full.
  

• Drinking liquids during or immediately after meals tends to flush food through the pouch and you will not get the prolonged feeling of satiety needed to help you lose weight.
  

• Eating or drinking too much or too quickly will cause nausea or discomfort. You will learn over time how to adjust your eating habits so that this is less of a problem.
  

• It is common after surgery to not feel hungry. Remember that nutrition is crucial to your healing. You may need to remind yourself to eat.
  

• Keep yourself hydrated. Your goal is eight- 8 ounce glasses of Clear Liquids per day. Sip throughout the day. Many patients find a Water bottle very helpful. NO STRAWS OR SPORTS BOTTLES.
  

• Too much food or big chunks of food can block the stomach pouch outlet. You can avoid this problem by chewing your food well and eating only small bites at a time. Your new stoma opening is about the size of a dime. Chew adequately so the food can fit through the opening.
  

• Eat only 3 meals a day. Your stomach can only hold 1-1/2 cup of food or 2-4oz at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or you feel comfortable.
  

• Choose foods wisely. Since you can only eat small quantities, it is important to choose foods that provide nutritional value. Your priority is lean Protein followed by fruits and vegetables. Choose whole grain over white carbohydrates.
  

• Add new foods slowly to your diet. This will make it easier to determine foods that are poorly tolerated. Do not get discouraged if you find you are not able to tolerate a particular food. Wait a week and then try it again. Eventually you will be able to tolerate most foods that you ate before surgery.
  

If you vomit within 48 hours after a fill, or if food gets stuck in your stomach, you will need to contact your surgeon or physician right away; these symptoms may indicate that your band is too tight. If your surgeon/physician is unavailable, report to the nearest emergency room.

Band_Adjustment_Tips.pdf

Most doctors recommend just eating liquids and soft foods for 2-3 days after a fill. Your stomach usually swells when you get a fill so you will always feel tighter for the first few days until it subsides.

My dr recommends 24 hrs of liquids and then mushies for a day after a fill

i have always been able to eat after a fill. Is this ok?

i have always been able to eat after a fill. Is this ok?

My dr recommends 24 hrs of liquids and then mushies for a day after a fill

Mine recommends the same, 24 hours of liquids then 24 hours of mushies before slowly going back to normal food as tolerated.

My dr recommends 24 hrs of liquids and then mushies for a day after a fill

My doctor told me the same!