The success of lap band surgery is greatly determined by whether or not you follow the dietary guidelines of your bariatric surgeon and nutritional advisor. While the lap band can help control your appetite and restrict your eating, it is up to you to choose the foods that are put into your body. If you want to lose weight, it will be important to adopt a healthy diet.
You will be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods with the lap band, but you will need to learn which foods to eat and which foods to avoid. Some foods can sabotage your weight loss efforts and some foods are problematic with the gastric band. Your diet should consist of band-friendly foods that are low in calories and high in nutritional value.
The lap band diet is designed to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and function properly, yet strictly control the amount of calories consumed each day. Meals will focus on foods that are high in protein and nutritional content and limit foods that are high in calories and offer little nutritional value.
The biggest changes in your diet after lap band surgery will be in the size of your meals and your eating behaviors. The lap band works best with solid foods which stay in the stomach pouch longer and help you feel full after eating only a few ounces of food.
Some foods should be eliminated from your diet, as they can either cause problems with the gastric band or defeat your weight loss efforts.
Some eating behaviors can cause problems because of the smaller stomach pouch and smaller stomach opening. Lap band patients are instructed to eat slowly, chew food thoroughly, and to stop eating when they feel full, even if the meal isn't finished. Most lap band patients have one or two experiences that teaches them the importance of these guidelines.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to keep the body hydrated. Some of the signs of dehydration are fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, and dry skin. You should drink 6 to 8 cups daily of low-calorie, non-carbonated liquids, such as water, broth, tea, and artificially sweetened drinks. Although it is important to sip on liquids throughout the day, liquids should be avoided with meals and within 30 minutes either before or after a meal. Liquids move food through the stomach too quickly and reduces satiety (feeling of fullness). The lap band works best when meals are limited to solid foods.
Eating healthy requires choosing the right types of food as well as controlling the amount of food that is eaten. Read the Nutritional Facts label on packaged foods to find out serving size, calories, and nutrient information.