When a patient is morbidly obese, LAP-BAND surgery may be recommended to lose the weight and help prevent diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, and possibly death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that in LAP-BAND surgery, an inflatable ring is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This creates a small pouch that can hold a minimal amount of food, which encourages the patient to not over eat. While the surgery is minimally invasive, unlike gastric by-pass surgery which requires a great deal of healing time, there are still dietary guidelines that must be followed in the first few days and weeks after surgery.
Immediate Post-Surgery
The first few days to the first week after LAP-BAND surgery are very important. Immediately following surgery, there are severe dietary restrictions. No food is allowed, but you can sip water or suck on ice chips. On day two you will be allowed a few more liquids, but only in small sips at a time. For your liquid choices, select water and clear liquids or broths, which will have some calories. According to Lap-Band.com, the official website of the LAP-BAND surgical process, if you drink too much it may cause you to vomit, which can stretch the small stomach pouch that is above the gastric band, and this can also allow stomach tissue to enter the pouch, causing complications.
Weeks 1 Through 2 Post-Surgery
Now that it has been a week since your LAP-BAND surgery, you are allowed more choices of liquids, but you still must be careful how much you consume. Along with water and clear broths, you can add skim milk, fruit juices and sugar-free Popsicles. It is advised by the LAP-BAND professionals to steer clear of heavy creams, meats and vegetables.
Weeks 3 and 4 Post-Surgery
At this point after your surgery, you can begin adding more foods, but they must be pureed, or of a soft consistency. Protein is needed, so chicken and fish can be added, but again, they must be pureed while your body takes this time to adjust to foods re-entering the stomach. Other foods that are soft, but offer a bit more nourishment than the liquids you have been consuming, are mashed potatoes, mashed carrots or peas, and puddings. Now that you are adding more food to the small stomach, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that you should consume beverages at least 30 minutes before eating. Otherwise, the stomach will not be able to handle solid food and liquid at the same time. When you do drink between meals, be sure to sip the liquids to avoid stretching the stomach and to prevent nausea and vomiting.
Week 5 and Beyond
Now that your stomach has adjusted to soft foods, you are able to add other cooked foods to your diet, as long as they are still tender. Fish, turkey and vegetables that are soft are recommended. Even though the food is tender, it is still necessary to cut it into tiny pieces and to chew it thoroughly. This will help prevent irritation in the stomach, as well as stretching of the pouch, nausea and possible vomiting. Food that is too large to be properly digested can block the stomach opening. If you begin to feel ill, or have a hard time eating foods that are solid, the LAP-BAND surgeons recommend returning to the pureed food and liquid diet until you are better able to handle solids.
As you continue beyond the five-week post-surgery mark, remember to always chew your food well and to drink beverages between meals.
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