LapBand Food Stages Lists Suggestions

[clusk 0]

Hi! I just joined this group. I am being banded on 7/7 by Dr. Ortiz. How was your experience?

Thanks!

[goofygirl883 0]

Overall good. Challenging, has it's ups and downs like anything else. It's definitely a learning process. Stick close to those in the know of WLS. Every little tip / advise helps. Lots of luck with your surgery!!

[debbieperez55 0]

Hi, My surgery date is Sept 17. I notice you are from Sou Calif too. I am having trouble getting my referrals for my Psyc and Stress EKG. The paperwork got lost in the fax. Let me know how you are doing.

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Thanks for all the good food information, I am going to put together a little booklet of my own with ideas for stuff in it.

Now that they do have Pasta that is less carbs and has Protein in it I wonder if we can eat a tiny bit of that?

I like the idea of egg beaters in a drink

I am still at a loss as to what Protein Drink is best for me since I am type 2 diabetic, I can't have sugar. I wonder if I can make my own with skim milk, Protein Powder and Vitamin supplements in it. And sue sugar free Quick chocolate and strawberry to make it taste good, has anyone done that here?

[beachlady1955 0]

This is my first post and first I want to thank you for this wonderful list...the one I received from my doctor isn't nearly as comprehensive. I am also looking for information regarding maintaining since I am pretty close to where I want to be.

[lyndzileigh 0]

Hello

My doctors (I am not yet banded just so you know) have banned a lot of what is on your list. Corn, rice, Pasta, in fact absolutely NO rice what-so-ever or Peanut Butter. It probably is person dependant. I would imagine that it also depends on the doctor. My doctor says peanut butter will get stuck as will rice because it puffs, corn because it is stringy and pasta because it's a carb. Good luck!

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

I am being banded on August 7th. We had a four week program (one meeting per week for about 2 hours) with the shrink, to learn new eating habits. We had exercises we did at home. We had eating diaries and we were taught to eat slowly and "purposefully" . I am doing it now while I am waiting for the surgery and I find I am satisfied earlier with less food. I think this will be a big help after being banded. The Lahey Clinic near Boston has a very excellent program that addresses all aspects of banding. You have to attend all four meetings in order to get a surgery date, and also to lose half of the pre-weight loss amount they give you.

[gdf18 2]

Every doctor has his own protocol, but I can clearly say that many ban Pasta bread pancakes rice etc, at least for a few months. Toast is much better than fresh bread as dough can get stuck. My doc bans all for 6. There is some flexibility but if one is newly banded, don't take the chance of getting food stuck. Sticky rice is especially difficult. Now, that said, two months later and I find I can eat rice, I am just very careful and chew and wait a long time between bites. I have whole wheat crackers and they are okay with everyone and fine with me. Add one new food at a time and do it days or even weeks apart. Just think about it.....even if you can eat bread early on......why slow down the weight loss and have the potential for uncomfortable sticking when it goes down. All I know if I've followed the advice from my doctor, who is very conservative, and I'm down 45 in 9 weeks. So for me, participating, and not leaving all the work to the band, is working so far.

Good luck

[U_go_gurl68 0]

I was banded on June 30th and currently in the mushy stage. Funny how all Doc are different. My surgeon, as far as meat Protein goes, wants me to start off with fish; no beef or poultry til after two weeks, then add them slowly, but continue to puree foods. He said sometimes it is easier to get baby foods and spice them to your taste. I have tried fruits only, but I don't think I could stomach anything else.

He also suggested using children's size plates, bowls, and utensils to keep from overeating.

[lyndzileigh 0]

I was banded on June 30th and currently in the mushy stage. Funny how all Doc are different. My surgeon, as far as meat Protein goes, wants me to start off with fish; no beef or poultry til after two weeks, then add them slowly, but continue to puree foods. He said sometimes it is easier to get baby foods and spice them to your taste. I have tried fruits only, but I don't think I could stomach anything else.

He also suggested using children's size plates, bowls, and utensils to keep from overeating.

LOL. My doc say to use the same thing...smaller places and utensils. There is one thing similar. My girlfriend who was banded at the beginning of July is already able to eat chicken, granted it has to be extremely soft and she has to chew it to death, but she skipped right over the mushy stage. My surgeon has told me that certain fruits wouldn't be good, but I can't imagine why. pineapple, peaches, etc. I was depressed over the peaches thing!

[stewarps 0]

*STAGE 1 - liquids

START: When you return home from your surgery

DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.

DIET: Clear and full liquids

GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of Fluid for the day by continuous sipping.

This is pretty similar to my docs recommendations, with the addition of thinned refried Beans and scrambled eggs added to the full liquid phase. My question for those who are on similar restrictions for the first 2 weeks (once on full liquid) do you partake of any of the items below any time of day? My diet suggests the full liquids (1/4 c) only for 3 meals a day, with sugar free liquids the rest of the day. I AM STARVING!!!!

LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:

Water

100% fruit juice (No sugar added)

Bouillon

Strained Soups or broths

Skim or 1% milk

Soy milk

Milk shakes - thinned

Gatorade or equivalent sports drink

Yogurt smoothie drinks - not including homemade

Crystal Light

Sugar free beverages

Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee

Popsicles (Pedialyte)

Do you mean that your doctor approved adding the thinned refried beans &/or scrambled eggs to your diet or added to one of the liquids on your diet (broth?). I was banded less than a week ago and I'm already hungry, but never want to see another "sweet" drink again. Pam

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

As for the fruit I would get fresh fruit, and then if you need to cook it...cook peaches in some Water with a bit of splenda. Then when it's soft, coll in the fridge then put in the blender and make a peach puree. Strawberries I think can be just pureed fresh. I would get pineapple in it's own juice, strain the juice and even rinse the pineapple in water to get off the sweet juice and then puree it.

I am on my own pre-op since I was told to just lose 12 lbs. before surgery. Eating one small meal a day and having Protein Shakes for lunch and Breakfast. A small Fit and Trim Low carb and no sugar yogurt for a snack in the afternoon.

[Pamtexas 0]

If we're on mushy phase and had a really, really easy time for the first 4 weeks but all of sudden start throwing up every time I try to eat - does that mean I need to go back to liquids?

[MelanieO 0]

your list of fluids for the first two weeks really helped. Im 4 days post oper. and not feeling good at all today. Ive only had 2 oz every two hours of Water, broth and Protein drink. Thank you so much maybe this will help me

[VEEJEE07 0]

Dylansmom... thanks so much for this! It was just what I was looking for. I came home from surgery over the long weekend with only a vague list and some contradictions between the info I got from my doctor and the one I got from the nutritionist. I know every doctor has some differences in their nutrition plan but this was the perfect thing for a guide until I can contact the doc with questions.

thanks for taking the time to put this out there ! :thumbup: