Hi -- I am preparing for surgery and trying to get a handle on exactly what is forbidden post-surgery. I felt like I had read alot, but this forum has been extremely helpful and sparked several other questions. Specifically, what exactly is completely forbidden? I just read that asprin and NSAIDs were ... someone mentioned caffeine? I've resolved myself to giving up my Diet Coke, but no caffeine? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks. Cynthia

Forcing anything down your esophogas....that's the only thing forbidden.

asprin, NSAIDs....not forbidden. Long term use is so not recommended...but they are not forbidden.

Caffeine is not forbidden...not recommended...but not forbidden.

You'll find your way as it's sounds like you are doing the research.

Follow your doc's orders...you'll be fine.

Hi Cynthia,

Have you met with the dietician yet? That is who educated us on what we can and can't have after lap band surgery.

Below are the rules for eating that I received from my Bariatric group.

*Caffeine - Slowly decrease your caffeine intake to avoid withdrawal symptoms. No caffeine 3 days before surgery because you could possibly become dehydrated.

*Carbonated beverages - None for 6 months after surgery. They will cause excess gas, bloating or irritation to your digestive tract.

*Alcoholic Beverages - None for 6 months after surgery. It provides "empty calories" and can be used in limited amounts after 6 months.

Foods that are not allowed after Lap Band Surgery, FOREVER!

"Fibrous" foods such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, pineapple, and

rhubarb.

"Doughy" or "Sticky" foods such as white bread, buns, doughnuts, cake,

etc. Toasted whole grain bread may be tolerated but do not eat within

1 week of a band adjustment.

"Hard to chew" foods such as steak, coconut, chips, popcorn, dried

fruits, or chewy Protein bars. These could obstruct the band.

I hope this helps but there may be groups out there that do things differently.

Regards,

Marie

:ranger:

"Fibrous" foods such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, pineapple, and

rhubarb.

"Doughy" or "Sticky" foods such as white bread, buns, doughnuts, cake,

etc. Toasted whole grain bread may be tolerated but do not eat within

1 week of a band adjustment.

"Hard to chew" foods such as steak, coconut, chips, popcorn, dried

fruits, or chewy Protein bars. These could obstruct the band.

I can have broccoli and asparagus as long as I eat tips only, not the stems. I can also have popcorn if tender and chewed really well, and I eat Kashi TLC bars with no problem if chewed well. It depends on the person and how tempermental their band is. I can eat some things on some days, and on another day, the same thing will not go down. You figure it out as you go along.

Thanks for the input!

I was not told of anything that I can't have forever. There are many dietary restriction for the first 3-6 months but after that I can eat anything I want if I can tolerate it. You will find that everybody can tolerate different foods. Follow your Docs orders and go slow with new foods.

"Fibrous" foods such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, pineapple, and

rhubarb.

"Doughy" or "Sticky" foods such as white bread, buns, doughnuts, cake,

etc. Toasted whole grain bread may be tolerated but do not eat within

1 week of a band adjustment.

"Hard to chew" foods such as steak, coconut, chips, popcorn, dried

fruits, or chewy Protein bars. These could obstruct the band.

I can have broccoli and asparagus as long as I eat tips only, not the stems. I can also have popcorn if tender and chewed really well, and I eat Kashi TLC bars with no problem if chewed well. It depends on the person and how tempermental their band is. I can eat some things on some days, and on another day, the same thing will not go down. You figure it out as you go along.

I DO HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THE BREADS, BUT ALL THE OTHERS I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH AT ALL, I EAT CELERY ALOT I JUST NOW CUT IT UP LIKE I WERE TO PUT IT IN A salad AND EAT IT LIKE THAT, FROM A BOWL, FIBROUS FOODS MAY CLOG A BAND BUT IF CUT SMALL AND CHEWED CAREFULLY THEY ARE OK . ALSO THE SAME PROBLEM THOUGH ON DAY SOMETHING WILL GO DOWN AND A FEW DAYS LATER FORGET IT IM DOING THE JUMP UP AND DOWN DANCE

My Dr forbids NSAIDS, smoking, soda pop, and caffeine.

"My Dr forbids NSAIDS, smoking, soda pop, and caffeine"

The first two are medical necessities (smoking can cause ulcers for some reason, with the band). The next two are purely lifestyle changes packaged with the medical necessities to have the appearance of being "required." Personally, I used to drink 3-6 sodas a day, and I haven't touched one since being banded. The carbonation wouldn't feel good, and by being off of them for three months now, I do not miss them. Even being next to someone drinking one, I could care less. Now, steak I miss. The caffeine I never dropped. I have three kids under age 5, an 80 minute commute each way, and I work as a project manager. Caffeine is the only way I function most days. Diet Red Bull has only 10 calories as well.

kagoscuba,

Have you really given up steak? Have you tried filet mignon yet? I can still eat it real well. I usually eat about half of a 7 oz filet and a few bites of steamed veggies. I have not dropped caffeine either. Could not function without it. My doc told me the main reason for no coffeine was risk of dehydration in the beginning because it is hard to get all your required fluids in.

I've been told no: aspirin, popcorn, carbonated drinks, chewy granola or protien bars, or fatty meats like sausage or brisket and raw, hard vegetables like brocolli, cauliflower and carrots.

I can have brocolli but it has to be cooked to very soft. At that consistancy, what's the point in eating it? All the Vitamins are gone... I eat it steamed anyway without problem.. yet...

I haven't had a fill yet.

I can have coffee or tea, but only two cups a day.

I've been told to avoid white potatoes, white bread and white rice, but it's not forbidden.

I can have alcohol, but only wine is totally acceptable in small quantities. Liquor is okay, but the mixers are a problem. Beer of course is a no no.... and I LOVE an ice cold beer...

I'm 6 weeks out and had my first salad last night. I chewed like crazy and did fine, but lately EVERYTHING, no matter what it is makes my tummy hurt in the evenings about an hour after I eat.

I have a beer or two occasionaly. Two is pretty much my limit, and it takes FOREVER to drink one, due to the carbonation. It's a lot better than the 6-12 I would have typically drank for a long football Saturday or Sunday.

wow, my Dr said forever never in my life, nothing white, no pop. no corn, no rice no pasta and never any chip no matter what it is. no coffee no nsaids, and no dairy forever, wow docs are so different

I have to take my NSAID or I will be in SEVERE allover pain. So my doc ordered Prevacid Solutab once a day (dissolves on your tongue) I'll start it postop.

I wasnt told anything was forbidden, but was told to avoid any carbonated drinks, soft breads, popcorn, rice, gum, corn, fibrous foods like oranges, mangos, grapefruit. Other than that, its all ok, but I do stick to a fairly regimented meal plan to get the protein in first.

The funniest thing I found to be a no-no was gum? WTF why no gum I ask the dietitian? "well if you swallow it, it will get stuck, and never ever digest" Lot she knows, everyone knows gum will digest in 7 years, we learned that in elementary school.

Who swallows their gum anyway, but alas I see the point and I would be the one who stubs her toe and swallows her gum, or something silly like that....