It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions right from the start of the operation in order to allow the new stomach sutures to heal completely and in the right position. It is also important during the early weeks not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the band. Vomiting can cause stretching and increase the chance of stomach tissue slipping up through the Band, so avoid it if possible.
You will be instructed to begin with a clear liquid diet for a few days following surgery. Then, you will gradually progress to full liquids, switching over to a soft food diet. By week four you should be eating regular food, moving up in the diet as tolerated. Make sure to cut up high fiber, dense, tough, or dry foods into small pieces for easy digestion. Also remember to eat slowly and chew each bite thoroughly to aid the digestion process.
Here is a sample schedule to help guide your diet after LAP-BAND.
Clear liquids
Immediately after surgery, you will follow a clear liquid diet. Initially, you may only be able to sip small amounts of liquid.
Examples:
o fruit juices w/o pulp (except citrus juices)
o gelatin
o fruit ice (sorbet)
o popsicle w/o pulp
o clear hard candy, iced or room temperature coffee
o iced or room temperature tea, water
o bouillon at room temperature
o consommé fat-free broth at room temperature
Tips: Suck on ice chips, fruit ice or popsicles to help reduce swelling, and sip your liquids slowly. Avoid all hot liquids for the first 7 days after your surgery.
Full Liquid Diet - Progression from clear liquids to full liquids
Examples of full liquids include any foods that could fit through a straw, although, DO NOT USE A STRAW:
Examples:
o non-fat milk
o non-fat smoothies
o low-fat custard
o low-fat pudding
o sugar-free chocolate milk or hot chocolate at room temperature
o all vegetable juices
o all juice (except citrus)
o cooked refined cereals (farina, grits, oatmeal, cream of rice, cream of wheat) cooled to room temperature until 7 days after surgery.
o strained soups - 7 days after surgery
o pureed meats thinned with broth
o coffee
o sugar-free tea
o sugar-free non-carbonated beverages
o broth, bouillon - 7 days after surgery
o strained creamed soups - 7 days after surgery
Tips: Sip your liquids slowly, drink a protein supplement between each meal, and choose a protein supplement with 15-20 g of protein and 100-175 calories per serving. Sip water or a calorie-free beverage (e.g. crystal light or sugar-free tea) between meals, after your protein supplement, with a goal of 60 ounces of water daily.
Soft Food Diet - Progression from full liquids to soft foods
Examples of soft foods: Blended meats, and well-cooked stews, casseroles or moist cooked meat and vegetables.
Regular Food Diet (3 to 4 weeks) - Progression from soft foods to regular foods
Examples of foods that may be problematic (so try these with caution):
o Dry meats, meats with gristle, peanut butter, shellfish, cores, hard skins (such as from an apple), seeds, membranes (particularly from thick-skinned fruits and vegetables), popcorn kernels, nuts, seeds, rice, and pasta.
o Often hard starches such as toast and crackers are better tolerated than un-toasted bread.
Check back next week for our follow-up blog on long-term meal planning
after Gastric Banding.
At Lap Band Rockies in Denver, Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum and his nutritional support staff offer the guidance you need to experience weight loss success. To learn more about this procedure and the diet adjustments required after surgery, please contact Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum today.
