You had laparoscopic gastric banding. This surgery made your stomach smaller by closing off part of your stomach with an adjustable band. After surgery you will eat less food, and you will not be able to eat quickly.
Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will teach you about foods you can eat and foods you should avoid. It is very important to follow these diet guidelines.
You will eat only liquid or puréed food for 2 - 3 weeks after your surgery. You will slowly add in soft foods, and then regular foods.
When you start eating solid foods again, you will feel full very quickly. Just a few bites of solid food will fill you up. This is because your new stomach pouch holds only a tablespoonful of food at first, about the size of a walnut.
Your pouch may get larger over time. You do not want to stretch it out, so do not eat more than your doctor, nurse, or dietitian advises. When your pouch is larger, it will not hold more than about 1 cup of chewed food. A normal stomach can hold up to 4 cups of chewed food.
You may lose weight quickly in the first 3 - 6 months after surgery. During this time, you may have body aches, feel tired and cold, have dry skin, mood changes, and hair loss or hair thinning. These symptoms are normal. They should go away as your body gets used to your weight loss.
Remember to eat slowly and chew each bite very slowly and completely. Do not swallow food until it is smooth. The opening between your new stomach pouch and the large part of the stomach is very small. Food that is not chewed well can block this opening.
Some foods you eat may cause some pain or discomfort if you do not chew them completely. Some of these are pasta, rice, bread, raw vegetables, meats. Adding a low-fat sauce or gravy can make them easier to digest. Other foods that may cause discomfort are dry foods, such as popcorn and nuts, or fibrous foods, such as celery and corn.
You will need to drink up to 8 cups (64 ounces) of water or other calorie-free liquids every day:
You will need to make sure you are getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals while you are losing weight quickly. Eating mostly protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help your body get the nutrients it needs.
Protein may be the most important of these foods. Your body needs protein to build muscles and other body tissues.
Because you are eating less, your body may not be getting enough of some important vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may prescribe these:
You will need to have regular checkups with your doctor to keep track of your weight and to make sure you are eating well. These visits are a good time to talk with your doctor about any problems you are having with your diet, or about other issues related to your surgery and recovery.
Avoid high-calorie foods. It is important to get as many nutrients as you can without eating too many calories. See also: How to read food labels
If you gain weight or your weight loss is slower than expected, ask yourself:
Mechanick JI, Kushner RF, Sugerman HJ, Gonzalez-Campoy JM, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; Obesity Society; American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery medical guidelines for clinical practice for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009 Apr;17 Suppl 1:S1-70.
Updated by: Ann Rogers, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery; Director, Penn State Surgical Weight Loss Program, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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